Monte Cassino cross

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

I came across the following drawings of Monte Cassino made by the 12th Geographical Company in 1944 and the following photographs the first taken in 1946 of the Abbey and Polish Cemetery, the others were taken in 1961.



The Battlefield of Monte Cassino in 1944 drawn by the 12th Geographical Company



Monte Cassino Abbey drawn by the 12th Geographical Company



Scenes around the Abbey



Monte Cassino and the surrounding Countryside



1946 Monte Cassino a much quitter place than 2 years previous



1961 Veterans visiting the Cemetery the Abbey still not rebuilt



Laying Wreaths watched by 2 Italian Policemen



Veterans laying their wreaths



Veterans laying their wreaths

Best wishes

Andrzej

[ValeriiGajewski]

Hello there Dear Andrzej & everyone!

Kindly ask you to provide possible information about following soldiers:

Further information continue story from the post #4676 about soldiers from 3 KPAPL (pluton warsztatowy):

4) kpr. Jozef Grohowicz


Most of all stand first from the left. His friend bomb. Kazimierz Leszczynski stand last from the right
Photo made at Lapedona, Porta Marina (Province of Fermo, Marche)
P.s. - Deep thank you for Kamil Dewlak & Łukasz Seyda, whose find that place.

- born: 01.06.1900
- PoB: miejs. Gródek Jagielloński, powiat Gródecki, wojęw. Lwowskie (Ukrain now)
- Army#: 1900/166/III
- military unit: 3KPAPL (pluton warzstatowy)
- KMC_?????
- military specialty - sanitariusz "łapiduch"
- wounded on 29.11.1944, near Dovadola (mine explosion. Wounded to the chest)
- Repatriated to Poland (Świebodzice)
- died: 1978

- IPN

- base.memo website

- Ośrodek Karta (ZUB-/363/181/10)


I found his granddaughter Teresa Gorzkowska, who live in Świebodzice too.

He wrote two remembrance about his live & military service:
- "Opowieść o swoim życiu" - story about his life from born to old age (91 pages)
stored inside Wroclaw library - "Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich"
- The second one called "Kapral Śrubka". He wrote there about his military service in Italy and his military comrades. Include about 190 pages. Still wait for the copy from his granddaughter.

5) bomb. Kazimierz Leszczynski



- born: 09.01.1910
- PoB: Zawiercie, Województwo Śląskie (Poland)
- Army#: 1910/26/III
- military unit: 3KPAPL (pluton warzstatowy)
- KMC_?????
- Stayed in UK
- died: 12.11.1972
- IPN

- Ośrodek Karta (ZUB-/422/40/8)


His son Paul Leszczynski and grandson John Leszczynski live in West Midlands, UK.

[ValeriiGajewski]

Additional photos of bomb. Kazimierz Leszczynski:





- info about bomb. Kazimierz Leszczynski from Jozef Grohowicz's "Opowieść o swoim życiu" remembrance (page #53):



6) kpr. Tchórzewski Piotr (also military comrade of kpr. Jozef Grohowicz)
- born. 01.06.1902
- PoB: ?????
- Army#: ?????
- military unit: 3KPAPL (pluton warzstatowy)
- KMC_?????
- Stayed in UK
- died: March 1980
- IPN

- Ośrodek Karta (ZUB-/413/19/1_2)



- info about kpr. Tchórzewski Piotr from Jozef Grohowicz's "Opowieść o swoim życiu" remembrance (page #55):



Looks like that he have been repressed together with his wife Tchórzewska Czeslawa dauter of Stanisław born 1900.
Also I have found information about him inside 3DSK list, where his military unit shown as 3KPAL, but there are no any Tchórzewski Piotr inside 3KPAL Monography.


Regards, Valerii

[mjw]

Hello Everyone.

I would like to ask for help with trying to identifying the recipient of a cross I recently obtained. The number impressed on the reverse reads: 7504. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Malcolm,

In answer to your question, when awarded the Monte Cassino Cross numbered: 7504 the recipients details were as follows:

Rank: Strz. (Rifleman)

Surname: Kowalczuk

Christian Name: Aleksander

Date of Birth: 1922

Army Number: (also found on His ID Tags): 1922-88-III

Unit: 4BSK (4th Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division.

Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 7504

Hope that this helps you Malcolm, I have searched for his date of birth etc. but could not find anything.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Valerii,

In answer to your questions:

Kapral Piotr Tchórzewski, nothing found

Bomb Kazimierz Leszczyński, Born in 1910, Army Number: 1910-26-III, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 7753 awarded when a Plut. (Lance Sergeant) Unit: Dtwa A.D.

Kapral Józef Grochowicz Born 1900, Army Number: 1900-116-III, Unit: 3KPAPL, Monte cassino Cross Numbered: 4735

Best wishes

Andrzej

[mjw]

Hello Andrzej.

What can I say but thank you. I could never have found this out myself. I am extremely grateful to you for helping me.

I visited Monte Cassino when a lot younger. It was a very interesting and thought provoking visit. The cemeteries are extremely profound.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[mjw]

Hello Andrzej.

The Monte Cassino Cross was accompanied by another Polish medal which I have identified as the Cross of Merit With Swords. This is not numbered. Is there a way to find out if this belonged to the same soldier?

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Malcolm,

Many thanks for your post, the only way to confirm that would be to look through the records held at the PISM (Polish Institute and General Sikorski Museum) in London, if unable to get to London they can check through the records at a cost of £25.00p for up to 2 hours research but this could take up to 6 months to receive an answer from them. If you decided to go to the Museum be sure to ring to book a seat in the reading room.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[mjw]

Hello Andrzej.

Many thanks for the helpful reply. It gives me an avenue for research I was unaware of. Hopefully one day I may be able to visit the museum.

Many thanks for all your help. It has been greatly appreciated.

Kind regards, Malcolm.