Monte Cassino cross

**jordanr** · 04-10-2019, 08:03 PM

I've recently come across details of my grandfather Stanislaw Haponik's history - Monte Cassino Cross Recipient #29879, and thought I'd share.

He was born January 11, 1913 in the village of Nowe Lesne Bohatery in the region of Bialystok. In June 1940 deported by Russians for allegedly short changing an officer at the family store to a Siberian gulag. After the "amnesty" he ended up in Arys, near Tashkent, in March 1942, where he joined the Anders Army. Initially he was in Seventh Division when in Palestine and later he was transferred to 1 Pulk Krechowieckich within the 2nd armoured division. I'm not sure the literal interpretation of his role but it appears he was some type of radio operator. He served through the remainder of the Italian campaign and signed up for PKP and eventually immigrated to Canada via his brother's sponsorship in 1947. He met and married my grandmother, a survivor of deportation from western Poland to forced labour in a German munitions factory, after they both ended up in Toronto after the war. He died in 1985 of cancer in hospital in Toronto when I was 5 years old.

I'm not sure where his medals ended up, but I'd like to get some replacements, including a MC Cross ideally of a number from an individual within the 2nd armoured division. I just recently received his service records from the UK MOD, and aim to have them translated (as I can't speak Polish).

S. Haponik with Unknown

All the best from Canada,

Jordan

**andrzejku98** · 04-11-2019, 05:18 PM

Hello Jordan,

May I be the first to welcome you to the War Relics Forum and thank you for your post with reference to your Grandfather Stanisław Haponik, from the Regimental History (by Dr Andrzej Suchcitz, isbn :0948202998, published in 2002 in the UK). Your Grandfather is listed as serving in the 1PULK from 1943-1946, he was awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 29879 and the Regimental Badge Numbered 621. His Service Number whilst serving in the 1PULK (also found on His ID Tags) is as follows : 1913-20-III at the time of the award of the Monte Cassino Cross he is listed as a Ulan. By the end of the war a Starzy Ulan. (Lance Corporal/Cavalry).

Your Grandfather would also have received the Following items whilst serving in the 2nd Polish Corps :

The British 1939-1945 Star

The Italy Star

The 1939-1945 Defence Medal

Polish Army Medal

Badge of the 1PULK obverse and reverse

2nd Armoured Division Badge obverse and reverse (with a 5KDP spinner)

2nd Corps Badge with Legitymacja

When your Grandfather joined the 1st Lancers regiment in 1943 it was part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade only in 1945 after the end of the war was it restructured up to Division Strength from 1945-1947. The 1st Krechowiecki Uhlan Regiment was a founding part of the Brigade and Division.

I sincerely hope that the above information is of some use and help to you Jordan.

Best wishes

Andrzej

**jordanr** · 04-12-2019, 02:06 PM

Thank you kindly Andrzej! That most certainly is of interest to me. I appreciate you indicating what other medals he would have received - now I just need to go about starting to obtain some

**Wisnia** · 04-15-2019, 09:24 AM

Hello Everyone

Polish Monte Cassino Cross with Award Card, the cross is numbered on the reverse 26 731. Complete with its original ribbon. The award card (Legitymacja) has the issue number and gives the details of the awardee as Private Wladyslaw Sosnowski 5th Medical Company, 5thKresowa Infantry Division. Medal and card remain in good condition.

Lp rekordów: 3

Sosnowski Władysław s.Grzegorz 1906 Jeńcy w Juży
Sosnowski Władysław s.Jan 1906 Jeńcy w Juży
Sosnowski Władysław s.Stanisław 1908 Jeńcy obozu lwowskiego

Krzyż Monte Cassino wraz z legitymacją ! zgodne 7986508056 - Allegro.pl

Awarded also KW:

Best wishes

Artur

**Wisnia** · 04-15-2019, 12:01 PM

Hello DEAR Andrzejku

Was given MCC.Can he verify the soldiers-army number.

1.kpt.RUDKOWSKI Tadeusz born 1914-04-11 in Rohatyń.Fathers name Teodor.Unit:11 PAC.Army number:1914-175-III.Returned to Poland.Awarded also KW.Lived 30-009 Kraków.Died in 1995.
Lp.2274;page 989 in Żdanowicz's List.

WBH act sygn.II.56.10478:rank kapitan & IV.501.2.577 k. 142:born:1914-03-11.

2.rotmistrz TABAKA Włodzimierz Jerzy. born 1911-04-19 in Bielsko.Fathers name Jan.Unit:12 PUPodolskich.Returned to Poland.Lived Wrocław.Awarded also KWx2.VM class V number 10997.Died 1973-10-04.

rtm. Tabaka Włodzimierz.

Tabaka's grave.

WBH act sygn.II.56.12677:rank rotmistrz & IV.501.2.577 k. 48

3.KORYCKI Władysław born 1899-08-04 died 1972-06-05.Returned to Poland.

Korycki's grave.

4.plutonowy SIARKIEWICZ Zenon born 1914-12-10.Fathers name Onufry.Army number 1914-13-III.Unit:2 Pal;3 DSK.MCC number 11458.SBSK number 1869,badge number 1625-rank kapral.Returned to Poland.Lived 02-558 Warszawa.Died 2007-10-07.

Siarkiewicz's grave.
Lp.2362;page 993 in Żdanowicz's List.

5.st.strz.KOCIŃSKI Wacław,born 1900.Fathers name Marian.Army number:1900-198-III.Unit:5 kompania zaopatrywania.Returned to Poland.Awarded BCofMwS.

Kociński's BCofwS Legit.

Kocińskis IPN note.

6.kpr.PIASECKI Józef.Unit:Kompania Ochrony Sztabu.

Piasecki's 2 PCorps badge Leg.

7.For whom it was given MCC number 33401.Unit:9 PAC.

THX.

Best wishes

Artur

**andrzejku98** · 04-15-2019, 01:35 PM

Hello Artur,

Many thanks for your post, my time is valuable I will do this once more for you but then that is it.

1) Kpt. Tadeusz Rudkowski, Born 1914, Army Number : (also found on His ID Tags) : 1914-175-III, Unit 11PAC, MCC Nr : 34405

2) Por. Włodzimierz Jerzy Tabaka, Born 1911, Army Nr : 1911-19-III, Unit : 12PULP, MCC Nr : 1923

3) Sierz. Władysław Korycki, Born in 1899, Army Nr : 1899-8-III, Unit : 1SW, MCC Nr : 42415

4) Plut. Zenon Siarkiewicz, the Register of the MCC lists his unit as : KGL.AD.

5) Strz. Wacław Kociński, Born 1900, Army Nr : 1900-198-III, Unit : 5KZaopat. MCC Nr : 27183

6) there are 2 Józef Piasecki's listed : A) Plut. Born 1899, Army Nr : 1899-85-III, Unit : 1PPomArt, MCC Nr : 37869. B) St.Strz. Born 1912, Army Nr : 1912-89-III, Unit : KGD2K, MCC Nr : 513

7) The Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 33401 was awarded to : Kanonier Jan Klimaszewski, Born in 1908, Army Nr : 1908-222-III, Unit : 9PAC, MCC Nr : 33401.

I sincerely hope that the above answers all your questions Artur

Best wishes

Andrzej

**Wisnia** · 04-20-2019, 10:51 AM

Hello Everyone

In My auction archive folder:

Poland, Virtuti Militari;Bronze Merit Crosses with Swords (2); Cross of Valour 1920, unnumbered; Monte Cassino Crosses (5), unnumbered, 3264, 31717, 32354, 46738, with two related riband bars, very fine or better.
MCC 3264:kan.Chwaszczuk Grzegorz;2 kpal;3 DSK.1920-40-III.
MCC 31717:kpr.Polański Bronisław;9 komp zaopatrywania Brygady;2 Bpanc.1912-137-III.Born in Minontowicze,fathers name Stefan.
WBH sygn act.VIII.801.344.6601-rank szeregowy
MCC 32354

lut.pchor.Mularski Zdzisław;Sztab Zwalczania artylerii.1923-146-III.Born in Wilno,fathers name Franciszek.
WBH sygn act.VIII.809.89
MCC 46738:no subscribe.Unit:15 Kompania Warsztatowa.

Best wishes

Artur

**Wisnia** · 04-20-2019, 03:29 PM

Hello DEAR Andrzejku

I have a question.
Was he given MCC number?Army number?Unit?Artillery?

About this soldier:
ogniomistrz KOPROWSKI Stanisław,born 1910-04-14 in Ruszkowo powiat Rypin.Fathers name Jan.

PSZ, Wojsko, Zaświadczenie, Toruń 7985241815 - Allegro.pl

WBH sygn.act.II.53.25879 and VIII.801.532.10573 rank

lutonowy.

In 3 DSK;2 BS was sgt.KOPROWSKI Franciszek,born 1903;SBSK.Lived Kielce.Died in 1986.lp.1176,page 938-Żdanowicz's List.

THX

Best wishes

Artur

**andrzejku98** · 04-20-2019, 05:21 PM

Hello Artur,

With reference to your post about Ogniomistrz Stanisław Koprowski, Born 14th April 1910, when he received the Monte Cassino Cross His rank was Plutonowy, Army Number : 1910-356-III, Unit : 6PAL, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 21636.

Best wishes

Andrzej