Polish skorpion badges

[Henry Leszczynski]

I found this in my dad's stuff the other day and it led me to your forum. Particularly post #345 on Feb 16, 2010 by 4thskorpion. The number on the black cross is 600. It's not my dad's but could be grandpa's from time in Italy. Can you tell me anything about this?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Henry, welcome to the forum!

I have moved your thread to the correct forum for you.

Very nice items by the looks of it.

Cheers, Ade.

[andrzejku98]

Hi Henry,

Also welcome to the forum, would I be right in thinking that your Grandfathers name was Michal, because a St.Panc. Michal Leszczynski served in the 1st Squadron of the 4th Armoured Regiment, his date of birth was 1916 and his Army Number also found on his ID Tags was 1916-25-III.

For his service in the 4th Armoured Regiment he was awarded the Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour 1939-1945), BKZzM (Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords) and the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 29326.

I hope that the above is of interest, but if you know it already please accept my apologie.

Best wishes

Andrzejku

[Henry Leszczynski]

Did not know any of this. But you are somewhat right. He was Mikolaj Leszczynski. He was actually born in 1896? What does St Panc mean?
I believe he fought at monte casino. I am looking for his medals.

[Henry Leszczynski]

The number on back of the black scorpion cross is 600 if that helps.

[StefanM]

I found this in my dad's stuff the other day and it led me to your forum. Particularly post #345 on Feb 16, 2010 by 4thskorpion. The number on the black cross is 600. It's not my dad's but could be grandpa's from time in Italy. Can you tell me anything about this?

Hi , congratulations you have a very nice set of original "skorpion" insignia in your grouping. The collar pennons look to be in very good condition without chipped enamel and in my experience the two metal beret "skorpions " in your grandfathers group are even harder to find than the breast badge! A valuable historical family treasure with equally high monetary value Do you also have the award documents to go with regimental breast badge etc. Any period photos of the regiment would be great to see posted

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Hello Henry and welcome to the forum. A wonderful grouping of items. Thanks for sharing them with us.

. . . What does St Panc mean? I believe he fought at monte casino. . . . .

St. Panc. denotes your grandfather’s rank of Starszy Pancerny, which is the armoured corps equivalent of a private first class, aka lance corporal.

Andrzejku noted his Monte Cassino cross number which does confirm he was there.

Please keep us posted with your medal search and any other finds or information about your grandfather.

Regards,
Tony

[andrzejku98]

Hello Henry,

I found the following from the web site index of soviet repression:

Leszczynski Mikolaj son of Bazyli, born in 1896, deported from Stanislawow in early 1940, he arrived in Archangel on the 24th February 1940, that is all that was kisted on the site about your Grandfather.

Once again

Best wishes

Andrzejku

[Henry Leszczynski]

Yes andrzej, that is my grandfather you are describing!
It is great stuff. Problem though, I have confirmed with my mom, my two uncles and other relatives here that my grandfather Mikolaj Leszczynski Was Not in the Skorpions. My dad was a paratrooper in Scotland so it's not his, and we have run through a list of every family member we know to eliminate them. None were in a Skorpion tank division in Italy. I also checked with a 90 year old ex_Polish military man here who fought at monte casino and they do not know of anyone in Edmonton, Canada, who this stuff could have belonged to or how my father got ahold of it.
The only link to this mystery is the black cross with the number 600 on the back. There apparently is a book of all 800 members of the Skorpions who got the black cross. I'm taking some better pictures with the numbers on back to see if we can add more info and hopefully solve where this stuff came from. Why would this green metal box be tossed in the garage for years buried under a pile of screws and nails, with No identifying names? My dad had his stuff well organized in the house, and he has docs supporting most of his medals.

[A.J. Zawadzki]

I'm back home now with access to my reference books. Badge #600 was awarded to St. Panc. Wincenty Zimoch. You might want to run this name past your family members to see if it rings any bells.

Regards,
Tony