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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05-15-2020, 01:32 PM
#421
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation this time for a N.C.O. 9th Infantry Battalion, 1st Polish Armoured Division.
Regimental Sergeant Major Franciszek Lenczowski
“On 20th April 1945 at Küstenkanal, north of Dorpen MR/740877/ as Platoon Commander during the fighting for the crossing of the canal – crossed the canal with his platoon under very heavy enemy Artillery & Machine gun fire and when on the other side repulsed an enemy counterattack.
Making possible for the company to form a bridge head for future action. During the crossing of the canal his own courage and behaviour set an example to his men enabling them to perform the task”.
Recommended by : Major General Rudnicki, G.O.C. 1st Polish Armoured Division.
Dated 28th June 1945
Award : M.M.
Military Medal obverse and reverse
By the end of the war he had been promoted to Chorąży (Warrant Officer) and received the Cross of Valour with 3 Bars.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-16-2020, 03:26 PM
#422
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05-16-2020, 05:06 PM
#423
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation although already posted in the Monte Cassino Cross Forum for an Officer from the Carpathian Lancers Regiment.
Captain Emil Stefan Mentel
“On 16th April 1945, Captain Mentel Commanded No. 1 Squadron, Carpathian lancers, during the fighting for the crossing of the Scuolo.
He personally led his Squadron with outstanding personal bravery and devotion to duty under heavy enemy machine gun, mortar and SP fire.
He displayed such initiative and skill that his Squadron forced the enemy to withdraw after they had suffered heavy casualties, including 19 taken prisoner.
He immediately led his Squadron in pursuit and succeeded in crossing the Montanara Canal and forcing the enemy back from the Scuolo Radone.
His personal gallantry and excellent leadership was an inspiration to his men and materially contributed to the success achieved on that day and also throughout the fighting for Bologna”.
Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.
Dated : 13th August 1945
Award : M.C.
Military Cross case of issue.
Military Cross obverse in case of issue.
Rtm. Emil Stefan Mentel M.C.
In later life after wearing his miniature awards
Emil Stefan Mentel was born on the 26th October 1916, during WW2 his Service Number whilst in Italy was : 1916-2-III, Unit : Carpathian Lancers Regiment.
During World War 2 he was received the following Awards and Medals :
1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Legitymacja Numbered : 10223
2) Cross of Valour with 2 Bars
3) Army Medal
4) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 38132
British
5) Military Cross
6) 1939-1945 Star
7) Africa Star
8) Italy Star
9) 1939-1945 Defence Medal
10) 1939-1945 War Medal
Promoted to General of Brigade, Emil Stefan Mentel died in Sacramento, California, USA on the 27th February 2019.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-16-2020, 05:20 PM
#424
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05-17-2020, 03:15 PM
#425
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation this time for a Signals Officer of 2nd Corps.
Second Lieutenant Marian Jabłoński
“During the Operations between 11th May and 13th May this Officer was responsible for the maintenance of Corps lines in the Regions Cervaro-San Michele-Portella.
He personally supervised the maintenance of these lines under heavy and continuous shell fire. He encouraged and assisted his men, exposing himself regardless of personal danger and thereby setting an example which was followed by the personnel of his detachment.
The result of this was that continuous Telephone Communication was ensured during the critical stages of the Battle. Later during the period 21st May to 24th May, he was in charge of the signal office in Cassino and conducted the construction of Telephone lines to the Village of Piedimonte.
Which at that time was partly in enemy hands, he and his party therefore came under direct observation and were subjected to heavy Artillery and Mortar fire.
In spite of which he completed his task thereby providing Telephone Communication to the Forces which assaulted and finally captured Piedimonte".
Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Countersigned by : Lieutenant General O. W. H. Leese, GOC Eighth Army.
Countersigned by : General H. R. Alexander, Commander in Chief Allied Central Mediterranean Force.
Granted an Immediate M.C.
Dated : 16th June 1944
Award : Immediate M.C.
Military Cross case if issue
Military Cross obverse
Ppor. Marian Jabłoński, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1916-11-III, he was awarded the Army Medal and the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 40453, whilst serving in the 11th Signals battalion, 2nd Corps.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-17-2020, 03:30 PM
#426
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation this time for an Officer from the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division,
Second Lieutenant Bohdan Wacław Potocki,
“Between 24th April and 11th May, in the Monte Cassino Sector, this Officer several times voluntarily led reconnaissance and fighting patrols.
During these patrols he showed great initiative, bravery and self-sacrifice. As Platoon Commander he took part on 12th May 1944 in the Company attack, having been wounded.
He remained with his Platoon and gathering men from other Platoons, whose Commanders had been killed. By his personal conduct and courage, he inspired the troops, that they successfully repelled several heavy counter attacks”.
Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Countersigned by : Lieutenant General O. W. H. Leese, GOC Eighth Army.
Countersigned by : General H. R. Alexander, Commander in Chief, Allied Central Mediterranean Force.
Dated 16th June 1944
Granted an Immediate M.C.
Award : Immediate M.C.
Military Cross case of issue.
Military Cross in case of issue obverse.
Ppor. Bohdan Wacław Potocki was born on the 28th September 1918, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1918-8-III, he was the Commanding Officer of the 1st Platoon of the 2nd Company of the 2nd Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade.
For his service during WW2 he was awarded the following awards and medals :
1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 8611
2) Cross of Valour (1939-1945)
3) Army Medal
4) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 1734
British
5) Military Cross
6) 1939-1945 Star
7) Italy Star
8) 1939-1945 Defence Medal
9) 1939-1945 War Medal.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-17-2020, 03:51 PM
#427
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation this time for an Officer of the 15th Rifle Battalion, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.
Captain Józef Polkowski
“As 2nd in Command 15th Battalion in the operations against enemy defences on 19th and 20th April 1945. This Officer Commanded the forward troops of the Battalion with conspicuous gallantry and first-class tactical ability.
He was everywhere were there was danger, in the first phase of the attack against River Gaiana Defences. When a Company Commander and a Platoon Commander of 2nd Company were killed and when the Company was pinned down due to heavy casualties.
He, by his own example, courage and devotion intervened on the battlefield and committed the Company to a decisive assault so inspiring his troops that the defeat of the enemy and the fulfilment of the task of the Battalion was achieved.
On 20th April, he personally led the attack of two company’s against Fiesso and River Idice, at the moment when the Tanks were left behind, and the forward company was pinned down by heavy enemy fire.
He again personally intervened and committed 3 Company’s to a further attack, thus capturing Fiesso and the south bank of the River Idice”.
Recommended by : Lieutenant General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.
Dated June 1945
Award : M.C.
Military Cross case of issue
Military Cross in case of issue obverse
Military Cross obverse.
Kapitan Józef Polkowski, was born on the 18th October 1904, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1904-172-III, he was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Company of the 15th Rifle Battalion.
For his service during the Italian Campaign he was awarded the following Awards and Medals :
1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Legitymacja Numbered : 10623
2) Army Medal
3) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 17010
British
4) Military Cross
5) 1939-1945 Star
6) Italy Star
7) 1939-1945 Defence Medal
8) 1939-1945 War Medal.
Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse.
Kapitan Józef Polkowski whilst a Porucznik in the soviet union after being released.
After the end of the war he came to the UK with his Battalion and after being demobbed settled down to civilian life, he died on the 28th March 1973 aged 68.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-17-2020, 04:26 PM
#428
Hello Everyone,
Another Recommendation, this time for an Officer of the Independent Carpathian Brigade.
Second Lieutenant Józef Zgoła
“On the night 8th/9th December 1941, 2nd Lieutenant Zgoła led a strong raiding party on an enemy position, south east of Medauar. Although met by heavy mortar and machine gun fire, he successfully stormed the position in a hand to hand fight inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.
He was the last to withdraw, carrying one of his soldiers who was wounded. His gallantry, self-control and high spirit are an example for his unit”.
Recommended by : Major Commanding 2nd Battalion
Counter signed by : Major General Kopanski, Commanding Polish Independent Brigade Group.
Countersigned by : Lieutenant General N. Ritchie, GOC Eighth Army.
Countersigned by : General Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief Middle East Forces.
Dated : 29th December 1941
Award : M.C.
Military Cross case of issue
Military Cross obverse
He was also awarded the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9250 for his bravery in the defence of Tobruk.
Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse
Later on in the war whilst serving during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1913-187-III, he served in the 2nd Carpathian Rifle Battalion, 1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade.
By the end of the War in Europe he had been promoted to Kapitan and for his Service during WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals.
1) Gold Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 86
2) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9250
3) Cross of Valour (1939-1945)
4) Army Medal
5) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 2031
British
6) Military Cross
7) 1939-1945 Star
8) Africa Star
9) Italy Star
10) 1939-1945 Defence Medal
11) 1939-1945 War Medal
Gold Cross Virtuti Militari obverse.
Best wishes
Andrzej
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05-17-2020, 06:13 PM
#429
Hello DEAR Andrzejku
About ppor.Józef ZGOŁA-SBSK badge number 299:
Best wishes
Artur
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05-18-2020, 09:52 AM
#430
Hello Everyone,
Another recommendation, this time for an Artillery Officer from 5KDP.
Captain Jan Józef Tutaj
“At 0540 Hours 26th March 1945, an enemy raiding party, strength 2 platoons, attacked a post of 17th Battalion, some 1500 yards to East of the flood bank of the river Senio, opposite Feliso.
With the Battalion as Forward Observation Commander was Captain Tutaj, he rapidly appreciated the situation. And on his own initiative, instead of calling for normal Defence Fire, directed and put down a curtain of fire round the flanks and rear of the raiding party.
Thereby preventing its reinforcement or withdrawal, he also with the consent of the Battalion Commander arranged and co-ordinated the fire of the Battalion mortars to tie up with his fire plan. As a result of this action, the enemy losses were 10 killed, 10 wounded and 1 Officer and 13 Other Ranks taken prisoners by our troops.
Therefore, virtually annihilating the raiding party, the success of this action, which was commended by Commander Eighth Army, was in a great measure due to the skill, initiative and determination of Captain Tutaj.
Later during the offensive, Captain Tutaj further distinguished himself, especially on 10th and 11th April, when he deployed his Battery on both days under heavy enemy fire.
Recommended by : Lieutenant General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.
Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.
Dated : June 1945
Award : M.C.
Military Cross case of issue
Military Cross in case of issue obverse
Military Cross obverse
Kapitan Jan Józef Tutaj was born on the 23rd June 1906, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1906-62-III, Unit : 6PAL, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.
He was awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 21416, although he survived the end of the war in Europe, he did not live long after he died on the 27th May 1946 and was buried in the British Military Cemetery in Hadra, Alexandria, Egypt in Plot 6, Row 7, Grave 18.
Hadra War Cemetery Alexandria, Egypt
Best wishes
Andrzej
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