Article about: Hi guys. I want to discuss with you one qestion. This is about british awards for polish soldiers. In my opinion, polish soldier can get for service following british awards: 1939/45 Star At
One medal that I missed off the list is the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom :
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1297973[/ATTACH
The award was instituted in August 1945 to reward Foreigners who gave tangible support to the British and Allied Cause.
One such person was Officer Cadet Ryszard Rosse-Geyer of the Polish Army.
Then a Letter to His Majesty The King dated 18th September 1945.
"Your Majesty,
May I humbly bring to your attention this plea for Officer-Cadet Richard Rosse-Geyer, 94607/222/1, now serving with the Polish Forces in Britain. While I was living in germany as an escaped prisoner, in January and February if this year, Rosse-Geyer risked his life to shelter me, make plans for me, and get me false papers. When I was arrested by the Gestapo, he narrowly escaped death by fleeing into Switzerland (which he reached after intense hardships), and from there came to Britain. He was forced to leave his Mother and Sister in germany and has had no news of them. May I beg you, Sire, to instruct your forces in germany, and those of your Allies to give the best possible treatment to Madame and Madmoiselle Rosse-Geyer. The former was last heard of in the factory of Sengmuller und Sohn, K--Nau, Bavaria, that of the latter is unknown.
Off.-Cadet Rosse-Geyer was arrested in Warsaw as a member of both the Polish Army and the Underground Movement of Resistance. To mjy knowledge he has, while in germany assisted at great risk to himself, the following escaped Allied prisoners :
7893418 Trpr. L.A. Sutton, 12th lancers ; 318. High Street, Plumstead, London S.E.18.
Lieut. Matthew Warren, 25-41, 33rd Street Astoria, Long Island, N.Y. U.S.A.
May I further ask your Majesty to Consider Off. Cadet Rosse-Geyer for the award of your newly-instituted Courage Medal?.
I am, Your majesty's most humble subject
(Sgd) Howard Weiss
Army Address : 1131370 Gnr. H.D. Weiss, 205 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Another Letter sent to Sir Eric Speed, KCB, KBE, MC, Joint Permanent Under Secretary of State for War,
Dated 10th January 1946
"Dear Speed,
May I send you the enclosed copy of a letter addressed to the King by Mr. Howard Weiss, relative to help given him, while he was an escaped prisoner in germany, by Officer-Cadet Rosse-Geyer, of the Polish Forces.
An acknowledgment has been sent and he has been told that enquiries will be made.
Yours Sincerely
(Sgd) R.U.E. Knox.
A Letter from the Treasury Chambers Dated 30th July 1946 to the War Office 29th July 1947 to Major D.S. Cowans-Fairweather T.D. (Deputy Assistant Military Secretary.
" Dear Fairweather,
The Selection Committeee has now approved the award of the King's Medal for Courage in the cause for freedom to the undermentioned, and the way seems clear for the War Office to submit the name to the King.
King's Medal for Courage in the cause of freedom
Officer-Cadet Ryszard Rosse-Geyer. Polish army.
The recommendation was put forward by the War Office (D.M.I.) and will be regarded as having been initiated before 6th July 1945.
I am sending a copy of this letter to the Foreign Office.
Yours sincerely
R.U. E. Knox.
"Most Humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's Most Humble and Most Devoted Servant"
"That your Majesty may be pleased to approve the awards set out in the enclosed submission to personnel of the Allied Armies, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services".
written in pen Appd GRI
Also named on the List was Captain Anthony Pospieszalski
I was working through the National Archives and came across the following Recommendation for the Military Order of the Bath, Companion.
General Brygady Stanisław Tatar, Born on the 3rd October 1896, the recommendation is as follows :
A letter Marked "TOP SECRET", from the Ministry of Economic Warfare, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W.1.
Dated 9th May 1944,
"My Dear General,
I enclose for your consideration citations for awards to the following two Polish officers : -
Major General Tabor C.B.
Lt. Colonel Hancza O.B.E.
General Tabor is second in command of the Polish Secret Army and Lt. Colonel Hancza is officer in charge of all arrangements for reception of stores despatched by S.O.E. They have worked under primordial conditions in extreme and continuous danger ever since the germans overran Poland and the fact that the Polish Secret Army, in spite of the unceasing efforts of the germans to liquidate it, is still playing a valuable part in the Allied war effort testifies to the skill, determination and courage of its leaders.
General Tabor and Lt. Colonel Hancza were brought out of Poland in a pick-up operation involving great personal risk and after consultation with the Polish Authorities in this country are due shortly to return to resune the struggle in their own country. I am most anxious that before their departure they should receive the recognition of the King and H.M. Government, not only as the due reward for the great part which they themselves are playing but also for the honour and encouragement which this recognition will bring to the Polish Secret Army in their bitter struggle. I hope very much that you will feel able to approve these citations and recommend them favourably to the Military Seretary. In view of the early departure of these officers from this country may I please ask you to trust this as a matter of great urgency".
Major-General J Kennedy, C.B., M.C., WAR OFFICE.
Recommendation for the award of the C.B. to Major General Stanisław TABOR.
"Major General TABOR is head of the Operations Branch of the Polish Secret Army in POLAND. He has been in charge of all operations in the past carried out against the forces of the german invader. For four years he has worked under conspiratorial conditions and in almost continuous personal danger. Under extreme difficulties, he has in secret rebuilt forces in POLAND, and worked out and put into operation, plans which have already been of great assistance to the Allies in the struggle against germany. Finally, he has undertaken at great personal risk, a visit to this country, with the object of co-ordinating the plans of the Secret Army with those of the Allies. He intends to return to POLAND shortly to carry on his work".
Dated 9th May 1944.
Recommendation for the Award of the O.B.E. to Lieutenant Colonel RYSZARD HANCZA.
"This officer has been in charge of all arrangements made in POLAND for the reception of stores delivered from ENGLAND by air. His work has entailed living and moving under conspiratorial conditions, He has organised and trained the whole of the very large number of "Reception Committees" which exist in POLAND. His "Reception Committees" have maintained their vigilance and zeal in spite of the fact that on many occasions they have been disappointed, due to the difficulty of carrying out operations at such extreme range from this country. He has come to ENGLAND at great personal risk, in order to perfect further the reception arrangements and those for the training of agents, and also to give advice on the further delivery of stores and operators. He intends to return to POLAND shortly to carry on his work".
Dated 9th May 1944.
16th June The War Office sent the following to the King,
"Most Humbly submitted to Your Majesty by Your Majesty's Most Humble and Most Devoted Servant.
That your Majesty may be pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies :-
To be an Honorary Member of the Third Class or Companions of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
Major General Stanisław Tabor, Polish Forces.
To be an Honorary Member of the Fourth Class or Officers of the Military Division of the Most Excelent Order of the British Empire.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ryszard Hancza, Polish Forces.
What is extremely interesting is that both of these Officers Major General Tabor and Lieutenant Colonel Hancza, where awarded using their False Names :
Major General Tabor was in fact Major General Stanisław Tatar
and
Lieutenant Colonel Ryszard Hancza was in fact Lieutenant Colonel Marian Michał Dorotycz-Malewicz.
The only photograph including the then Major Marian Michał Dorotycz-Malewicz was taken in 1931
Major Marian Michał Dorotycz-Malewicz according to the photograph list is standing 6th from the right yet this has to be confirmed.
I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed reading this latest post
This post is on an Immediate Military Cross which was awarded to 2nd Lieutenant Leon Michał Gradowski, Carpathian Lancers, Army Number : (also found on His ID Tags) : 1908-11-III, Date of Birth : 7th July 1908. After fighting in the September Campaign and escaping from the soviets and on his return to Warsaw escaping from the germans and making his way to the middle east to join the Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade.
The Citation reads as follows :
"2nd Lieutenant Gradowski was infiltrated by parachute into Albania on the 10th October 1943. He had been given a specific task by the Polish Office in CAIRO. This task he was unable to fulfil through reasons outside his control and therefore he worked with British Mission in Northern Albania. On16th November 1943 this officer took part in the battle of DIBRA. He was the sole representative of the British Mission who remained with the forward position of ALBANIAN Partisans throughout that action. His example under continuous and heavy fire at Advanced Partisans H.Q. had the greatest moral effect on the ALBANIANS and he did not withdraw until the advancing germans disposed of the Partisan Rear guard. After this action and in the face of considerable hardship GRADOWSKI by himself proceeded to locate the remainder of the Military Mission which had dispersed in the hills. This he successfully accomplished, in the face of great hardships and continued german patrolling. Throughout the winter months, although severely ill with bronchial trouble and an abscess in his earand in the face of insufficient food, inadequate shelter and bitter conditions, this officer worked with the greatest resolution and cheerfulness to stiffen in every way Partisan resistance to the germans and to collect all possible information of a political and military character. His unfailing cheerfulness endurance and bravery won the admiration and trust of the ALBANIANS at a very critical time and he did much to further British activities in that country. He was finally evacuated from ALBANIA on the 6th July 1944.
I have no hesitation in recommending him for the immediate award of the Military Cross".
SHOULD THIS AWARD BE APPROVED IT IS REQUESTED THAT NO DETAILS SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC OR COMMUNICATION TO THE PRESS!
Recommended by Lt. Colonel Harcourt, Commanding Force 399
Approved by : Major General W.A.M. Stawell C.B.E., M.C., Commanding S.O. (M)
Approved by General Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander, Mediteranean Theatre.
Dated 7th September 1944
The Man himself 2nd Lieutenant Leon Michał Gradowski.
Leon died aged 86 on the 8th August 1994 in Angers.
Another find from the National Archives the M.B.E. (Mil.) (Hon), for WW2 submitted 30th September 1947.
From the War Office
"To be Honorary Members of the Fifth Class or Members of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire"
Captain Andrzej IWANICKI
Lieutenant Konstanty POPIEL
Lieutenant Jerzy ZUBRZYCKI.
"Lieutenant Konstanty POPIEL, POLISH ARMY"
Recommendation states the following :
"This Polish officer volunteered to go to France at the end of 1943 to take over the nucleus of an organisation and to build it up into a powerful circuit capable of exfiltrating Allied airmen and British agents and delivering funds, wireless sets and stores. In spite of many difficulties and dangers due to the moribund condition of the organisation, Lieut. POPIEL succeeded so well in his mission that his organisation exfiltrated without loss all British and Allied airmen and agents entrusted to him. In addition, his circuit undertook successfully the delivery in Occupied France of wireless sets, stores and funds at a time when railway transport was disorganised through Allied bombing.
On one occasion in May 1944, Lieut. POPIEL was instructed to exfiltrate two important couriers who were in the hands of a circuit which was considered to have been penetrated by gestapo. Despite the risk involved in contacting this circuit and the difficulties of transporting the men down to the Spanish frontier under heavy Allied bombing, Lieut. POPIEL was successful in his task and two lives valuable to the Allied Cause were saved. On another occasion in June 1944, Lieut. POPIEL himself brought out an Allied airman from Orleans; the whole journey was made on bicycles as there were then no trains running to the south.
Throughout his mission, Lieut. POPIEL showed a quite remarkable devotion to duty and a total disregard of his personal safety. His courage and determination in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties were an inspiration to all the men under his command, and it is undoubtedly due to his hard work, despite ill health, and his spirit of self sacrifice that his organisation was so outstandingly successful. In recognition, therefore, of the valuable services rendered by this officer, it is recommended that he br appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Mil.) (Hon)".
Sigend by Colin Gubbins, Major General 21st May 1945, and a Lieutenant General, Chief Administrative Officer 4th June 1945.
It is not known why this did not go forward until the War Officer sent it to King George VI on the 30th September 1947,
"Most Humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's Most Humble and Most Devoted Servant"
"That your Majesty may be pleased to approve the awards set out in the enclosed submission to officers of the Polish Army in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies".
The King wrote the following :
Appd, GR
Konstanty Popiel was born on the 22nd November 1907, according to S.O.E. Records, Lt. Popiel was parachuted into France on the 1st December 1943, he took over the Loyola Escape Line.
Best wishes
Andrzej
Last edited by andrzejku98; 04-17-2019 at 10:16 AM.
Reason: correction to British Original spelling of surname
Another Recipient of the Military Cross one of only three awarded to members of the Polish Air Force, during the Second World War.
Flying Officer P1804 Brunon Semerling, 315 Squadron, Polish Air Force.
Born on the 19th October 1919 in Starzyno, he joined 315 Squadron in February 1942 and on the 13th March he took part in escorting USAAF B17's on Ramrod 43.
The recommendation for the Military Cross is as follows :
"On 13th March 1943 this Polish Officer was pilot of an aircraft which, whilst operating over France, was attacked by two enemy fighters. Flying Officer Semmerling was wounded in a hand and both legs and when his aircraft caught fire, was compelled to abandon it by parachute. He landed near Folny and despite his wounds, which caused him much pain, took immediate steps to evade capture. He made his way to Paris, which he reached on the 14th March and managed to secure shelter there for 3 days. Whilst travelling by train from Paris subsequently, he was interrogated by a german in uniform but, by posing as a Frenchman, managed to avoid being detained. Flying Officer Semmerling left the train at La Négresse and walked to Biarritz. He continued southwards, seeing many german soldiers and several members of the Frontier Police. Eventually he met a helper who arranged his subsequent journey and he was able to reach this Country, via Gibraltar on 11th May 1943".
Brunon Semmerling stayed with 315 Squadron until October 1943, he also served in 302 Squadron and by the end of the war he had received the KW x 3, ZKZzM, ML x 3 M.C.
After the end of the war he returned to Poland were he died on the 9th November 1977 in Czarnków.
Another Polish Recipient this time of the Military Medal awarded to a member of the Polish Air Force, Sergeant Franciszek Kula, Born on the 4th April 1913 in Wielki Bukowiec, he joined 305 Squadron as a Air Gunner, the recommendation is as follows :
"On the night of August 28th 1942, Sergeant Kula was the Air Gunner of a Wellington Aircraft detailed to attack a target at Saarbrucken. Whilst flying over Luxembourg, the Aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and damaged so severely that the crew were compelled to abandon it. Sergeant Kula alighted in a field near Brussels and after disposing of his parachute in the bank of a river, made his way to some nearby woods where owing to his wounds he rested for four days. During this period he lived on his emergency rations, he subsequently proceeded by trains from Brussels and after a long and tedious journey through France, he arrived in Marseilles. Throughout, Sergeant Kula displayed dogged determination, courage and ingenuity to evade capture, he returned to this Country in September 1942".
Franciszek Kula
After the end of the war he joined the RAF by this time he had completed training to become a Pilot and on the 17th March 1948 he was the Pilot of a Wellington Bomber T Mark X (RP499) from No 1 Navigation School and was undertaking exercises in 2 Aircraft, one was descending and the other had just taken off, the 2 Aircraft collided just north of the airfield all the Crew members of both aircraft were killed. The Recommendation from the enquiry was that the seat next to the pilot should be occupied so that there could be a lookout on the blind (Right) side of the Aircraft. This was a known Wellington quirk, but was not looked at during wartime flying.
Flight Lieutenant Franciszek Kula was laid to rest just outside the Polish War Cemetery in Newark-upon-Trent, in Nottinghamshire
Another member of the Polish Air Force a Recipient of the Military Cross, Flying Officer Józef Tyszko, born on the 30th January 1919 in Mikołajów in the Ukraine, at the age of 3 the family moved to Warsaw. After being captured by the soviets in the September 1939 Campaign and after escaping made his way to Romania and then onto France after the fall of France he made his way to the UK. Where after undergoing training was assigned to 301 Bomber Squadron on the 17th June 1942.
The recommendation states the following :
"On the night of August 28th 1942, Flying Officer Tyszko was the pilot of a Wellington Aircraft, detailed to attack a target at Saarbrucken on the outward journey, whilst flying at 16,000 Feet, the Wellington was attacked by an enemy aircraft and much damage was sustained. In addition three members of the crew were wounded, the Aircraft became completely uncontrollable and the crew were compelled to escape by parachute. Flying Officer Tyszko alighted in Belgium and after destroying his parachute, hid in some bushes whilst villages were approaching the burning aircraft. The journey from Belgium to Spain, which was made on foot and on train, was fraught with many difficulties including the swimming of rivers and evading a german examination of identity cards. Flying Officer Tyszko displayed great determination, tenacity and courage and has now returned to this country".
By the end of the war he was a Flight Lieutenant with the KW x 3, SKZzM, ML x 3 M.C.
Józef Tyszko whilst serving in the Polish Air Force in WW2
Józef Tyszko, after receiving the Military Cross (the ribbon is next to the Cross of Valour ribbon in 1943) (Courtesy of CCJ)
After the end of the war he stayed in the Royal Air Force and in 1951 he joined the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough.
Józef Tyszko died on the 17th January 1965 when the plane he was flying crashed due to ice near Stockholm, Sweden, he was buried in the grave yard of the local church near his home in Camberley, Surrey.
Józef Tyszko grave in St. Michael's Parish Church.
To the post#111.
Recipient King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom:
rtm.SOKOŁOWSKI Jerzy.Unit:14 th Lancers Regiment;Polish SOE.
VM class V Leg number 11672.
.
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