by
andrzejku98
Hello Valerii,
Many thanks for your post, with regards to Franciszek Smolak who died of wounds at Monte Cassino.
Rank : Szer.sp.
Surname : Smolak
Christian Name : Franciszek
Date of Birth : 29th April 1910
Fathers Name : Paweł
Born in : Turża
Army Number : 1910-236-III
Date of Death : 17th May 1944
Grave Number : 7-A-17
Service File with the Polish Army Records Number : X4461
Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 26023.
Franciszek Smolak was the fourth person listed in the Battalion has being killed at Monte Cassino
After the end of the war belongings of Personnel Killed during the war were held by the Government in Exile, I know that in the last couple of years the British Ministry of Defence has returned the Army Records of those personnel killed during World War 2 to the Polish Army Records Centre.
I would therefore advise Bożena Babiuch, to contact them at the address below to see what happened to her Grand Fathers effects :
Central Military Archives
ul. Czerwonych Beretów 124
00-910 Warsaw-Rembertów
After the end of the war in Europe countries were in turmoil and especially in Poland where they lost territory in the East and gained territory in the West, people where moved and lost contact, although they could have tried the Red Cross who was still working tracing Polish Soldiers and their Families into the 1950's.
Hopefully Bożena will find out by contacting the Army Archives.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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