Polish 2nd Corp interest

**Enigmaracing** · 01-04-2020, 04:23 PM

I live in London and I am from an Army family but have a particular interest in my wife's Grandfather, Dr. Brigadier General Ludwik Zabkowski, commander of the 2nd Artillery Group of the 2nd Polish Corps.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 01-04-2020 04:23 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**andrzejku98** · 01-04-2020, 06:12 PM

Hello Engimaracing,

May I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, your wife's Grandfather General Bryg. Dr. Ludwik Ząbkowski, born 1st February 1891, died 1st December 1973 in London.

He was awarded the following Awards by the Polish Government both IIRP and the Government in Exile.

Virtuti Militari Gold Cross Numbered : 85

Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered : 9968

Both awarded whilst serving with the 2nd Corps in Italy as a Pulkownik (Colonel)

Order Odrodzenia Polski, Polonia Restituta

Grand Cross

Commanders Cross

Officers Cross (1936)

Krzyż Walecznych 1918-1921 with 3 Bars

Krzyż Walecznych 1939-1945

Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami (Gold Cross of Merit with Swords)

Złoty Krzyż Zasługi (Gold Cross of Merit)

Medal Wojska (Army Medal 1939-1945)

Medal Pamiątkowy Za Wojnę 1918–1921 (1918-1921 War Commemorative Medal)

Medal Dziesięciolecia Odzyskanej Niepodległości (10th Anniversary of Independence Medal)

Srebrny Medal za Długoletnią Służbę (Silver Long Service Medal 20 Years)

Brązowy Medal za Długoletnią Służbę (Bronze Long Service Medal 10 Years)

Krzyż Pamiątkowy Monte Cassino (Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross) Numbered : 9

Plus the following Allied Awards :

Legion of Merit (Commander) U.S.A. award dated 28th January 1948

Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Officer / O.B.E. Military Division) 1945.

1939-1945 Star

Italy Star

1939-1945 Defence Medal

1939-1945 War Medal

From your attached photograph the VM Silver Cross seems to be a replacement, the first KW is a post 1991 issue whilst the WW2 KW without a date should be the one with the 1918-1921 Ribbon and the 3 Bars this should also be numbered on the reverse between 1-3000 +.

The ZKZzM is another modern replacement with the swords pointing down, when they should be pointing up.

Enigmaracing the above is not criticism I am just pointing out what I can from the photograph.

If you would like I can post photographs of originals so that if you wish to replace them at least they will be original to the period.

Once again Welcome to the Forum

Best wishes

Andrzej

**andrzejku98** · 01-15-2020, 02:43 PM

Hello Enigmaracing,

Many thanks for your email regarding the Award of the OBE to your wife's Grandfather Plk. Dr. Ludwik Ząbkowski (Later General of Brigade).

I have found the following photographs from the Investiture, which I thought I would share with everyone.

Best wishes

Andrzej

**Enigmaracing** · 11-25-2021, 12:46 AM

Thank you so much for posting the pictures as my wife was thrilled to see them. I am sorry about the copy medals as the originals were stolen some time ago. Some turned up in an auction and we’re rescued by the Sikorski Museum identified by their numbers

**Enigmaracing** · 11-25-2021, 12:50 AM

Pictures of the originals would be fantastic. Equally a suggestion of how I could create some bar ribbons

**andrzejku98** · 12-01-2021, 02:18 PM

Hello Enigmaracing,

Many thanks for your post, with regards to your wife's Grandfather General Bryg. Dr. Ludwik Ząbkowski, just so that you know what you are looking for, I have posted photographs of what they should be like for your reference, hope that they help you Enigmaracing.

Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari Gold Cross obverse.

Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari Silver Cross obverse.

Order of Polonia Restituta Grand Cross.

Order of Polonia Restituta Commanders Cross

Order of Polonia Restituta Officers Cross

Now with regards to the Cross of Valour, their are 3 different types that are numbered, so the only way of confirming which type would be from the Legitymacja awarded or a close up photograph from between 1920-1939.

Cross of Valour made by the Warsaw firm of Albin Różycki, these crosses were numbered from 1-3000

Cross of Valour made by the Warsaw firm of Jan Knedler, these crosses were numbered from 3001-42500

Cross of Valour made by the Warsaw firm of Jan Knedler, these crosses were numbered from 42501-59999 and where smaller than the original to match in size to the Virtuti Militari.