British Awards for Polish Soldiers
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
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06-10-2020, 01:53 PM
#491
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. Recommended by HQ Force 133
Sergeant John Soroka
"Sergeant John Soroka was in charge of some 60 Poles who had escaped from German Labour Battalions and other units and had reported to the Allied Mission in Greece.
The Senior British officer of his area reports :
"Sergeant John Soroka, having escaped from a Germa Labour Battalion in August 1943, served with ELAS Anderetes until asked to take part in the civil war.
He then joined the Allied Military Mission, from November until February he has been the senior Polish NCO in command of 60 of his fellow countrymen.
In February 1944 when this band of Poles was evacuated he and 20 volunteers remained to assist the Allied Mission in military operations.
In the last 5 months he has taken active part in 6 successful railway operations and in addition has been engaged frequently on reconnaissance's and journeys in enemy held country, carrying arms and explosives.
He showed a very high standard of personal courage and coolness in an attack on his Mission station on 16th June and through his good example maintained a high standard of discipline and morale in his band of Poles, for whose good work I have nothing but praise".
For his excellent conduct, coolness and bravery under fire and as a recognition to the Polish band which has loyally supported the Allied Mission, it is recommended that Sergeant Soroka be awarded the Military Medal.
Recommended by : Brigadier K.V.B. Benfield, DSO, MC, Commanding Force 133
Countersigned by : Major General W.A.M. Stawell, Commanding Special Operations (Mediterranean)
Countersigned by : General Bernard Charles Tolver Paget, Commander in Chief, Middle East Forces
Dated : 28th September 1944
Award : M.M.
Military Medal obverse.
The Recommendation carries the following information about him "Regular NCO Polish Armed Forces. Unit not known".
Best wishes
Andrzej
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06-20-2020, 04:35 PM
#492
Hello Everyone,
Just going through my study and came across the following Recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Medal awarded to :
Sergeant Pilot 780119 Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski
"Though 40 years old this Airman is the keenest operational Pilot in his Squadron and the younger Pilots have learned much from his fine example.
Seventeen of his successful Operational Sorties have been over Germany and he has shown Exceptional skill and devotion to duty".
Recommendation approved on the 11th December 1941, by which time he was in a Prisoner of War Camp.
Distinguished Flying Medal obverse
Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski was born on the 1st January 1902 during WW2 his Service Number was 780119, on the 7th November 1941 Sergeant Nowakowski was the Pilot of a Wellington Bomber (BH-A) (Z1271), their target was Mannheim in Germany.
The Crew was composed of the following :
Pilot : Sergeant Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski
2nd Pilot : Ppor. Władysław Radwański
Observer : Por. Mieczysław Aleksander Taras
Gunner : Sergeant Henryk Kudełko
Gunner : Sergeant Gustaw Chrzanowski
Gunner : Sergeant Bolesław Stanisław Iwanowicz
Take off according to Nowakowski's Log Book was at 18: 43 from RAF Hemswell
The following Personnel from the plane were captured by the Germans :
1) Sergeant Nowakowski
2) Sergeant Kudełko
3) Sergeant Iwanowicz
The following member of the crew evaded capture and made his way back to the United Kingdom for which he was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit with Swords.
1) Ppor. Radwański
The remaining members of the crew Sergeant Chrzanowski and Por. Taras evaded capture by the Germans only to be captured and interned in Vichy France.
Sergeant Gustaw Chrzanowski died on the 15th June 1942 from TB whilst being held in Vichy France in Nice where he was buried (It is thought that he was shot whilst trying to escape).
Sergeant Gustaw Chrzanowski
Both Nowakowski and Kudełko were sent to Stalag Luft 4B their respective Camp Numbers being 24488 and 24521
Initially the Crew was posted has Missing in action on the 7th November 1941, that was until Ppor. Radwański, arrived back in the UK.
Nowakowski's Log Book lists over 2,400 Flying Hours amassed between 1929 to 1945 made up of
100 Hours on Twin Engine Planes
2,050 Hours on Single Engine Planes
350 Hours Night Flying.
His flying was split between the following types and dates :
Reconnaissance 1929-1938
Bombers 1938-1939
Bombers 1939-1941
Transport 1945-1946
During his Service in WW2 he received the following awards and Medals :
1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9074 Dyplom signed by General Sikorski
2) Cross of Valour (1939-1945) with 3 Bars
3) Air Force Medal with 1 Bar
He had already during his Service before the war received the Bronze Cross of Merit, 1918-1921 War Commemorative Medal, 10th Anniversary of Independence Medal, 10 Years Long Service Medal.
British
4) Distinguished Flying Medal
5) 1939-1945 Star
6) Air Crew Europe Star
7) 1939-1945 War Medal
Sergeant Pilot 780119 Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski
On the 19th November 1946 5 Years after being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, the by now Chor. Nowakowski received it from Air Marshal Cochrane at RAF Chedburgh.
Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski after being demobbed he settled down to civilian life with his wife at 12 Green Street in Nottingham with his wife Florence Cecilia Mary Naylor (Born 3rd September 1913).
Only 9 years later Piotr Mieczysław Nowakowski died on the 19th October 1958 in Blackpool.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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08-04-2020, 12:34 PM
#493
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08-23-2020, 01:33 PM
#494
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08-23-2020, 08:32 PM
#495
this photograph would raise questions if it wasn't for this,
Panchromatic film - Wikiwand
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10-10-2020, 02:10 PM
#496
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11-02-2020, 02:23 PM
#497
Hello Everyone,
Further to my Post Numbered 143, I have come across the following :
Another Recommendation this time for the Order of the British Empire
Captain Julian Feliks Folik,
Recommendation states :
"Captain Folik has done extremely good work during the past 2 years in clearing minefields in this Command. He has personally supervised the clearing of some 3,660 Mines, many of which were in a highly dangerous state due to age, shifting sand, etc. At the War Office request he was sent with his detachment to Southern Command to clear a particularly difficult field. In addition to carrying out these hazardous duties he has done some much useful work in evolving drills for Mine Field clearance and was specially selected for giving demonstrations at the S.M.E. Ripon.
He has also carried out most of the test work in connection with the design of the Polish Mine Detector, now in universal use throughout the British Army".
Recommended by : Brigadier, Chief Engineer, Scottish Command
Approved by : Lieutenant General A. Thorne, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Scottish Command.
Recommended for an O.B.E. this was downgraded to the M.B.E.
I came across the following today :
The awards of Kapitan Julian Folik obverse
The awards of Kapitan Julian Folik reverse
The M.B.E. (Military Division) Scroll awarded to Kpt. Folik and signed by the Grand Master of the Order Queen Mary.
It just goes to show if you wait something will turn up.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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11-14-2020, 01:31 PM
#498
Hello Everyone,
Further to my Post numbered : 158, the other day I came across the following :
Standing left of photo Bosmanmat Tadeusz Domicz, photo taken in 1937
Bur when "Lady Luck" is smiling, I was also able to find the following Photograph taken during WW2, he is wearing the Ribbons of : Silver Cross Virtuti Militari, Cross of Valour and the British Distinguished Service Medal.
Bosman Tadeusz Domicz
"Admiralty Fleet Order 1736 (H. & A. 110/42.—16.4.1942.)
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following Appointments and Awards to officers and men of the Polish Submarine “Sokol” :— Distinguished Service Medal to Chief Petty Officer Tadeusz Domicz.
For two Mediterranean war patrols since October 1941.
On the afternoon of the 28th July 1942, in the Admiralty Building in London, the First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley Pound, in the name of HM King George VI, decorated CPO Domicz".
Distinguished Service Medal obverse
The above photograph of Bosman Domicz was taken from his Legitymacja for the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari, Legitymacja Numbered 10323.
VM Legit Nr : 10323 awarded to Bosman Tadeusz Domicz.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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02-12-2021, 04:51 PM
#499
Hello Everyone,
With reference to my previous post numbered 133, I have now found the photograph of Field Marshal Alexander pinning the ribbon of the D.C.M. onto the tunic on the then Sierzant Jan Kukla
Plut. (Lance Sergeant) Jan Kukla, Army No 1914-39-III, Unit 7 Carpathian Infantry Battalion.
"On the 9th May 1944, during the battle for Monte Cassino, he received serious wounds (head and left arm). Not wishing to leave his section, which he commanded he refused to be evacuated and after receiving first aid treatment, he remained in the line. He took part in the whole operation, always at the head of his troops, showing extraordinary courage calmness and the will to fight. Later in the attack against the River Chienti line he was wounded for the third time whilst leading his section. He was then evacuated. During the Spring 1945 offensive against Bologna he was wounded for the forth time, receiving 8 separate bullet wounds and insisted in remaining where he was, saying that he had not lost his capability to fight. However he lost consciousness and he had to be evacuated. As a commander and a fighting soldier he is outstanding, he possesses extraordinary courage, leadership, tenacity and willpower. His example draws everybody. Throughout his service , beginning with Libya, he has distinguished himself by his complete devotion to duty".
Recommended by : Lt. Gen. W. Anders Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Approved by Lt. Gen. R. L. McCreery, G.O.C. Eighth Army.
Award : D.C.M.
Also awarded the KW
Field Marshal Alexander pinning the ribbon of the D.C.M. onto the tunic of the then Sierzant Jan Kukla.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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03-14-2021, 07:52 PM
#500
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