British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

This time the Citation is for the Distinguished Service Order awarded to Major General Stanisław Maczek C.B.

"For gallant and distinguished service in the field, Major General Maczek has commanded 1 Polish Armoured Division throughout the period of its participation in the campaign in North West Europe and has on all occasions afforded it bold and resolute leadership and demonstrated outstanding skill as a tactician.
Since it was first committed in this theatre this Division has been engaged in the most varied types of combat. Heavy demands have repeatedly been made upon it and the courage, determination and endurance of its troops have been subjected to the most severe tests. Special mention must be made in this connection of the bitter and savage fighting at Falaise and of the pursuit. Relatively swift but with its own attendant military difficulties from the Somme. That this Division has successfully met every call which has been made upon it and has established an excellent and enviable record in battle is attributable in large measure to the energy, skill and resource of Major General Maczek. His grasp and appreciation of the problems with which he has been confronted have consistently been quick and sound and he has shown marked ability speedily to formulate and carry out plans and to adapt the resources at his disposal to the changing requirements of any situation. By the force of his personality and his unending concern for the welfare of his troops he has encouraged all those about him to quite extraordinary efforts. The relentless determination, indefatigable industry and intrepid leadership of Major General Maczek have been outstanding and he has made a notable contribution to the success of the common cause".

Recommended by Lieutenant General G.G. Simonds, A/GOC-in-C First Canadian Army.

Approved by Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief 21st Army Group.

Also signed by Lieutenant General Stanisław Kopanski, Polish Chief General Staff

Dated 11th October 1944 and submitted 31st October 1944



The Distinguished Service Order in Case of issue.



Major General Stanisław Maczek greeting Field Marshal Bernard L Montgomery outside the Generals Headquarters at Breda on the 25th November 1944.



General Broni Stanisław Maczek Orders and Decorations at the PISM in London

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello again Everyone,

This time another Recipient of the Distinguished Service Order, Colonel Tadeusz Adam Feliks Majewski,



Pulkownik Tadeusz Adam Feliks Majewski, photographed on the UK during 1940-1944.

"Colonel Majewski Tadeusz, Commanding Officer 10th Polish Cavalry Brigade, throughout the action between Caen and Falaise from August 7th to August 21st 1944. Commanded his Brigade with the utmost ability and courage, especially in the final action on August 18th-19th, which resulted in closing the pocket by joining hands with American troops in the area of Trun-Chambois and the 48 hours that followed, when his action greatly contributed to frustrate the enemy attempts to break through the ring"

Recommended by Major General Stanisław Maczek, GOC 1st Polish Armoured Division.

Approved by Lieutenant General G.G. Simonds, Commanding 2nd Canadian Corps.

Aprroved by Lieutenant General G.G. Simonds, A/GOC-in-C, First Canadian Army

Approved by Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, C-in-C, 21st Army Group.

Dated 20th September 1944.

Honour : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in Garrard & Company Limited Case.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello once more everyone,

This time a citation for the Distinguished Service Order for Action at the Siege of Tobruk.



Podpulkownik Stanisław Gliwicz (Standing Centre) this is the only photograph that I have been able to find of him during the Siege of Tobruk.

Polish Carpathian Artillery Regiment, Regimental No : 4684 Lt Colonel Gliwicz Stanisław.

" Tobruch - Period April-October 1941, Officer commanding the Carpathian Artillery Regiment, which was formed by him. He personally planned and supervised the construction of the Artillery Emplacements in the Dekheila Defence Line. He was Commander of the Artillery in the Eastern Sector of Matruh Fortress, since 22nd August 1941 his regiment has taken an active part in the defence of the Western Sector of Tobruk Fortress",

Recommended by Major General Stanisław Kopanski, Commanding Polish Independent Brigade Group.

Approved by Major General Leslie James Morshead, Commanding Tobruk Fortress.

Approved by General Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, Commander in Chief, Middle East Forces.

Dated : 12th December 1941.



Distinguished Service Order in Case of issue.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Whilst researching another project, I came across the following which I thought I would share with you.



Flying Officer, Porucznik pil. P2652, 781311, Władysław Gretkierewicz, 302 Sqdn, wartime photograph



Post war photograph of Władysław Gretkierewicz, wearing his medals.

Władysław Gretkierewicz was born on the 15th October 1916 in Kułaczkowce, whilst flying in the PAF during the war he was awarded the following : Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered : 11097, Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour) and 2 Bars, Medal Lotniczy (Air Force Medal and 2 Bars), Distinguished Flying Cross (British). Władysław Gretkierewicz died in Lincoln on the 29th May 1984 aged 67.




Plut.pil. Jan Błażejewski



Porucznik Pil. Jan Błażejewski



Citation for the award of a Non-Immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.

Kapitan pil. P0004, 76844, Jan Błażejewski, was born on the 4th February 1904 in Winnica in Podole, he fought in the Polish-Soviet War 1918-1920. During WW2 he escaped from Poland during the September 1939 Campaign and made his way to France and then onto the United Kingdom. Where after training he joined 304 Squadron he was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross on the 30th July 1941. He took off from RAF Lindholme on the night of the 16th December 1941 flying in Wellington R1064 (SM-K), the Squadrons mission was to bomb the docks at Ostende in Belgium. The plane crashed into the North Sea and Kapitan Jan Błażejewski's body was washed up on the coast of Dunkirk where he was buried.



Grave of Kpt pil. Jan Błażejewski at Dunkirk.

During the war Kapitan Jan Błażejewski was awarded the following : Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9190, Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour and 3 Bars), Medal Lotniczy (Air Force Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross.



Distinguished Flying Cross.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for Major General Roman Odzierzynski in command of 2nd Corps Artillery Units during the Italian Campaign :



Recommended for and Awarded the C.B.E.



General Roman Odzierzynski after receiving the C.B.E. (Mil) in 1945



The Generals Awards Polish, British, Italian, American, held in the PISM in London

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Whilst surfing last night I found the following photograph which I thought I would share with you all :



W/O. St Sierz. pil 783023 Aleksander Chudek, Born 17th July 1914 in Stoczek, died after his aircraft was hit by flak and crashed between Le Plessis - Grimoult and Roucamps in France. It was first thought that you had crashed into the Channel but in 2009 his plane was found.



Sierz. Aleksander Chudek receiving the Cross of Valour with 2 Bars from General Sikorski



Aleksander Chudek whilst serving in 315 Squadron.

Awards : Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 9345, Cross of Valour with 3 Bars, Distinguished Flying Medal.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[Krakow1]

Andrzej the Virtuti Militari Cross pictured above does not look like original Polish Government numbered Cross.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Krakow1,

Many thanks for your post Krakow1, with reference to the Virtuti Militari, you are correct in saying that it was not one of 10,000 Silver Virtuti Militari's made in 1920 for the Polish Government. It looks to be a 1970's copy.

With regards to Aleksander Chudek he married in Uxbridge in 1941 Catherine J Quinn, who in 1956 as Catherine J Chudek remarried in Clonmel in Tipperary, Ireland. No further information found on her.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

2 Recommendations for the British Distinguished Flying Cross :





Major P0058 Karol Zaucha

DFC Recommendation is as follows :

"This officer has been engaged on operational flying since April 1942, as Captain of aircraft he has exhibited skilful airmanship, combined with the greatest determination to complete his allotted task. On one occasion, shortly after leaving base for a raid on Mannheim. his aircraft became iced-up making it difficult to control and causing it to lose height rapidly. Skilfully overcoming a difficult situation, Squadron Leader Zaucha persisted in his task and finally bombed the target. The flight occupied a flying time of seven hours in severe weather. This officer has participated in attacks on a wide variety of important enemy targets"

Recommendation drafted 21st February 1942 when he had flown 23 Sorties totalling 118 Hours.

Service Number : P0058

Born on the 18th January 1908 in Tarnow, awarded the Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9115, KW x 4, ML, British DFC. Karol Zaucha died in Blackpool on the 20th July 1965.






Major 76798 Witold Żurawski

DFC Recommendation is as follows :

"On the night of 22nd January 1942, this officer completed a particularly successful attack on the marshalling yard at Munster. An excellent photograph which he secured shows his bombs burstingon the target. He has at all times show high courage and coolness in the face of adverse circumstances, while his determination both to locate his correct target and bomb it accurately has set a fine example. On one occasion after his aircraft was forces to alight on the sea, he was mainly responsible for the survival of his crew who were ultimately rescued after drifting in the dinghy for some four hours. Flying Officer Żurawski is a fine leader of men".

Born on the 5th November 1911 in Petersburg, he was awarded the Virtutui Militari Numbered : 9268, KW x 4, ML x 3, British DFC.

On the 19th January 1945 he was flying as Observer in a Liberator VI "KH151 "S" when it over shot the runway on landing and crashed into the sea of Campo Casale, Brindiso, Italy. The fates were not in his favour that day and he was killed, no place of burial is recorded either by the PISM or CWGC.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Seasons Greetings to one and all,

Whilst surfing the internet last night I came across the following photograph taken at the Polish Army Museum in Warszawa, which I thought I would share.



From left to right

Award Scroll for the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion, the following is the list of Polish Generals awarded the award :

1) Władysław Albert Anders.

2) Janusz Julian Głuchowski.

3) Stanisław Kopański.

4) Tadeusz Kossakowski.

5) Stanisław Władysław Maczek.

6) Gustaw Paszkiewicz.

7) Bronisław Regulski.

8) Michał Tadeusz Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski.

9) Józef Ludwik Zając.

10) Stanisław Tatar.

Then we have a Photograph and Legitymacja belonging to General Brygady Klemens Stanisław Rudnicki, September 1939 Campaign Cross Legitymacja Numbered 0003, the Legitymacja of the Gold Cross of Merit with Swords, then the Legitymacja for the Cross of Valour with 2 Bars.



General Rudnicki was also awarded the British Distinguished Service Order whilst a Colonel serving with the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division, the recommendation states.

"During the Monte Cassino Battle the attacking forces from 5th Kresowa Division, operating against San Angelo and point 575. Between 17th and 23rd May 1944 were commanded by Colonel Rudnicki, his skilled planning and the manner in which he maintained control of his forces under the most difficult conditions in mountainous country with poor communications Contributed very largely to the success of the action throughout the battle his calmness and untiring effort were an inspiration to his men and his Staff. He took command of the 5 Kresowa Division during his Divisional Commander’s absence from 8th July to 20th August 1944. In this role he worked unstintingly and with the greatest efficiency. During the battle for Ancona, by making personal reconnaissance in the forward positions, he was able to take the decision to make a bold manoeuvre with his forces, to which the success of the operation was largely due”.



Best wishes

Andrzej