British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for a senior Officer of the Polish Army

Lieutenant General Michał Tadeusz Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski.

"As General Officer Commanding 3 Polish Corps, in this capacity he was responsible for all Polish Military Personnel in the Middle East and has to contend with many para military as well as military problems.

Many of these are of an intricate political nature and in dealing with them General Tokarzewski has always shown himself to be a most able and tactful co-operative officer.

His relations with General Head Quarters has invariably been excellent and he has also by his efforts given great assistance to the 2nd Polish Corps in Italy.

The fact that the Polish troops in the Middle East were a well disciplined body of men serving as they are under trying conditions is largely due to the personality of this officer".

Recommended by : Brigadier J.B.G. Hennessey (Allied Liaison Service)

Counter signed by : General Paget, Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theatre.

Award : C.B.E. (this was at some point later crossed out and changed to) C.B.



C.B. (Military Division)



C.B. (Military Division) on case of issue.



Gen.Dyw. Michał Tadeusz Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski whilst serving in the Middle East



Gen.Dyw. Michał Tadeusz Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski with General Bryg Dr Bolesław Szareck and Gen Bryg Marian Roman Przewłocki whilst all where serving in the Middle East.



Awards of General Michał Tadeusz Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a senior Officer of the 2 Polish Corps

Lieutenant Colonel Zygmunt Morozewicz

"As Assistant Quartermaster General at Head Quarters 2 Polish Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Morozewicz carried out a difficult and arduous task with whole hearted energy and undoubted efficiency.

By his calm and cheerful approach to every difficult problem, he has been an example and inspiration to his Staff. It was due to a very large extent to his hard work and sorts that the difficult administrative problems encountered on the Adriatic Coast, during June, July and August 1944 were overcome and the speed of the advance maintained.

Due to his planning and co-operation with the British Head Quarters concerned, the British Units required for the opening and operation of the Port of Ancona were able to commence their work with the minimum of delay after the Port was captured and the successful preparations for the assault on the Gothic Line were achieved to a large extent by his efforts".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.



Zygmunt Morozewicz 1915.

Pulkownik Zygmunt Morozewicz was born on the 28th April 1898, during the 1st World War he served as a St.Ulan in the Legions Cavalry. By 1922 he had moved to the Infantry and had been promoted to Porucznik. During the 1926 Coup he sided with Piłsudski, and in 1928 he attended the Higher Military School in Warsaw, in 1929 he served in the 72PP.

In 1934 he was attached to the KOP as Chief of Staff he had been promoted to major on the 1st January 1934, in March 1939 he was Lecturing at the Infantry Training Centre in Rembertów.

During the September 1939 Campaign he escaped to France and then onto the UK where from the 7th October to the 15th November 1941 he was head of training of the Rothesay Officers Station.

In July 1943 he was appointed 2nd Deputy Quartermaster General in the Middle East and during the Italian Campaign he was appointed 1st Deputy Quartermaster General.

Promoted to Plk. Dypl. by the end of the war, he was also Commander of the liquidation project of the 2nd Corps Command.

During his Service he was awarded the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Legitymacja Numbered : 10447, Independence Cross and Cross of Valour (1918-1921), Silver Cross of Merit, Army Medal, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 65. British Awards : O.B.E. (Military Division), 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, 1939-1945 Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal.

Plk. Dypl. Zygmunt Morozewicz came to the UK with the 2nd Corps and in 1950 married Jadwiga Makłowicz



1950 Marriage Entry for Zygmunt Morozewicz to Jadwiga Makłowicz.

This was followed less than 3 Years later on the 2nd January 1953 by his death.



Plk.Dypl. Zygmunt Morozewicz Death Entry.



He was buried 6 days later on the 8th January 1954



Plk.Dyp. Zygmunt Morozewicz grave along with his wife Jadwiga.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[conrado]

Hello,

Some time ago I came across the photo on which is most likely (IMO) płk dypl. Zygmunt Morozewicz. I wrote about this in the thread of the Monte Cassino Cross.



Płk dypl. Zygmunt Morozewicz together with General Władysław Anders, Field Bishop of the Polish Armed Forces Józef Gawlina and st. szer. Ryszard Kaczorowski (between Gawlina and Morozewicz) - Last President of the Polish Republic in Exile.


Regards
Konrad

[andrzejku98]

Hello Konrad,

Many thanks for your post, there is one thing about Morozewicz who was awarded the KN and not the KNzM which seems to be shown in the photograph.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. from 5KDP

Corporal Cadet Aleksander Weitzen

"Corporal Cadet Weitzen showed great courage and devotion to duty during the battles which his Battalion took part in on the Adriatic Sector.

He was constantly at his Battalion Commanders call and never hesitated to carry out the most difficult and hazardous tasks, often carrying messages to Company positions under extremely heavy fire.

When seriously wounded in the leg, he refused assistance and made his own way back to an Advanced Dressing Station".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

Kapral pdchor. Aleksander Weitzen was born in 1921, Army Number : 1921-152-III, Unit : 18th Rifle Battalion, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.

Awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 19886

After the end of the war in 1946 he married Maria Laura Cordero di Pamparato (Born in 1921), Aleksander Weitzen died in 1960.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for another N.C.O. this time from 2nd Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division.

Corporal Władysław Boroń

"On 1st September 1944 Corporal Boroń as section leader in a picked assault group, took part in an attack on enemy positions in and around a house Casa Zilli, on Hill 63.

He fought with complete disregard for his own safety under extremely heavy fire and by pressing home his attack was able to obtain valuable information regarding the enemy strength and positions.

He carried out this reconnaissance of the positions personally, obtaining the information which led to the success of the attack.

Throughout the whole action he showed the greatest coolness and bravery".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

By the end of the war in Europe Władysław Boroń had been promoted to Plut. (Lance Sergeant) and awarded the Cross of Valour and Bar.

Władysław Boroń Born in 1915, Army Number : 1915-21-III, Unit : 2nd Carpathian Rifle Battalion, Also awarded the Army Medal, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 2898.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Bombardier of the 7th Anti Tank Regiment

Bombardier Józef Zygmunt

"On 4th July 1944 when 1st Squadron 7th Queens Own Hussars were attacking Mount Padia, Bombardier Zygmunt engaged at close range a 75mm Anti Tank Gun and destroyed it. Later on 17th July 1944, he brought his gun into action under intense enemy fire, when covering the left flank of C Squadron 7th Queens Own Hussars which was attacking Mount Tarto.

He destroyed a 75mm Anti Tank Gun and its trailer and shooting his gun with great accuracy and coolness also destroyed a nest of enemy machine guns and mortars".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

Kapral Józef Zygmunt Born : 1913, Army Number : 1923-18-III, Unit : 7PAPpanc. also awarded the Army Medal and Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 35608.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Colonel of 2nd Corps Medical Services

Colonel Marian Tadeusz Dietrich

"Colonel Marian Dietrich, in his capacity of Deputy Director of Medical Services of 2 Polish Corps during the Campaign in Italy, has displayed outstanding merit in organisation and command of the Polish Medical Services.

His work has been untiring and of a high order and has been responsible for saving many lives and much suffering of British and Allied as well as Polish troops in the Battles for Cassino and of the Adriatic Coast.

His spirit of co-operation with British Formations has been most conspicuous.

To him alone much of the credit is due for the original formation and training of the Polish Medical Services in the Middle East and the results speak volumes for his care, drive, foresight and skill".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division).



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.



Plk.Dr. Marian Tadeusz Dietrich.

Born on the 23rd January 1892, pre 1939 he had been awarded the Independence Medal, during WW2 his Service Number was : 1892-50-III, he was also awarded the Silver Virtuti Militari Cross Numbered : 8537, Army Medal and Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 41447.

After the end of the war, he came to the UK where he died on the 7th September 1982 aged 90.



Plk. Dr. Marian Tadeusz Dietrich death entry



Plk. Dr. Marian Tadeusz Dietrich burial entry on the 15th September 1982



Probate entry in 1984 for Marian Tadeusz Dietrich.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Quartermaster of the 2nd Corps.

Colonel Stanisław Skowroński

"The administrative problems which 2 Polish Corps has had to face during the Campaign in Italy have been various but invariably difficult. Colonel Skowroński as Deputy Adjutant and Quarter Master General of the Corps. Has faced these problems with determination and by his untiring energy and skill, has overcome them and has enabled the Corps to go into action always fully provided with the materials essential to the success of the battle to be fought.

His planning and preparation enabled the Polish Corps to attack the enemy at Monte Cassino and gain an outstanding victory with all the war material supplies and ammunition necessary to ensure its success. Even though the maintenance even of a force in the Rapido River positions involved the most difficult of administrative problems.

By the skilful utilisation of all the resources at his disposal, including the replenishment of the Corps forward installations by Sea, he maintained the full striking force of 2 Polish Corps during the rapid advance on the Adriatic Sector in July and August 1944.

Even though the lines of communication on which he depended were stretched to their extreme, at the same time he built up sufficient reserves to make possible the final successful assault on Ancona. And organised the swift entry into the Port of the British Units and installations necessary for its speedy development after the capture of this Port. The speed of the Corps advance was never checked for want of supplies, although its resources had not been fully developed and through Colonel Skowroński's efforts the Corps had at its disposal abundant material to enable it to take part in the successful assault on the Gothic Line".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division).



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.



Plk. Dypl. Stanisław Skowroński



Plk. Dypl. Stanisław Skowroński

Pulkownik Dypl. Stanisław Tadeusz Skowroński was born on the 21st may 1896, during his service prior to September 1939 he had been awarded the Cross of Valour with 2 Bars and the Gold and Silver Crosses of Merit.

During the 2nd World War he was also awarded the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 8542, Gold Cross of Merit with Swords, Army Medal and the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 11.

After the end of the war he came to the UK with the 2nd Corps and settled down into civilian life in London,he was promoted to General of Brigade on the 1st January 1964, he died on the 7th July 1974 and was buried in Gunnersbury Cemetery.



Death entry for Stanisław Tadeusz Skowroński



Probate for Stanisław Tadeusz Skowroński.

best wishes

Andrzej

[conrado]

Hello Everyone,

Recommendation for a Captain of the 16th Lwow Rifle Battalion, 5 KDP

Captain Adam Łempicki

"During operation on the Adriatic sector Captain Łempicki's company was carrying out on attack on 6th July 1944 against Villanuova. This attack was baulksa by strong enemy counter-attacks and his company came heavy artillery and mortar fire. At this critical moment Capt. Łempicki gave the order to press home the attack, he himself leading his company personally in the front line. His examle of coolness and courage inspired his mean to frsh efforts which resulted in the capture of the objective. Capt. Łempicki's initiative and leadership under most difficult circumstances contributed largely to the success of this operation."

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B. Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : M.C.



Military Cross obverse



Kpt. Adam Łempicki, Army Number: 1907-38-III, Unit: 16 LBS, 5 KDP, Monte Cassino Cross Nr: 17805

Kapitan Adam Łempicki was born on 11th August 1907 in Koniecki. In 1931-33 he completed the course of the Infantry Officer Cadet School in Komorowo near Ostrów Mazowiecka and was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In January 1940 he was ordered to go to Hungary and next go to France. However while crossing the Prut, he was arrested by the Soviet border guard, deported deep into the USSR and imprisoned in the Ural camp.

He joined the Anders Army in Tockoje. In April 1944 he began to fight against Germany in the 16th Lwow Rifle Battalion as a Commander of the 4th Company in the rank of Captain. He was wounded during Battle of Bologna. He was treated in hospitals in Cassamassima and Naples, from where he was transported to Edinburgh, Scotland. There after treatment in the hospital he was appointed on 18th August 1945 to a course at the College of War in Cupar Fefe in Scotland.

On 2nd June 1947 he returned to Poland and settled in Pisz in Mazury (Masuria) where he received the job of an English teacher. After retiring in 1975 he undertook social work.

In 1988 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died on 26th January 1991.

He was also awarded: Officer's and Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari, Cross of Valour and Monte Cassino Cross Nr: 17805


Regards
Konrad