British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a N.C.O. 10th Dragoons Battalion

Staff Sergeant Jan Drygala

"On 26th April 1945 as platoon commander Staff Sergeant Drygala was leading the first assault party across the river Leda / MR 91111 / under heavy machine gun fire.

His leadership and bravery helped to make the crossing successful and to establish the first small bridgehead on the other side of the river.

During the operation he was wounded but refused to let his men evacuate him until he was satisfied that the position was securely held".

Recommended by : Major General K. Rudnicki, GOC 1st Armoured Division.

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

During WW2 he was awarded the Cross of Valour for the September 1939 Campaign and 2 more Bars for France, Belgium, Holland and Germany Campaign 1944-1945, along with the Army Medal.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. of the 2nd Motorised Artillery Regiment, 1st Armoured Division

Sergeant Jan Rozum

"On 30th September 1944 being at an Observation Post near the Antwerp Canal / MR 596085 / with his Forward Observation Officer, Sergeant Rozum met a seriously wounded Polish Tank Commander.

By his own initiative he brought the wounded man back to safety, notwithstanding the heavy artillery and mortar fire of the enemy and numerous snipers shooting at him on his way back to the rear.

After this he returned to the Observation Post.

On 3rd November 1944 near Ter Aalst / MR 972428 / after forcing of the Mark Canal by the Polish Highland Battalion, Sergeant Rozum was again with a Forward Observation Officer in the front-line of the Infantry, which by mistake was heavily machinegunned by our own planes.

Showing great gallantry and complete disregard of danger Sergeant Rozum left his dug-out and endeavoured to stop the planes by spreading out and waving air recognition sheets.

In this he eventually succeeded and thus avoided serious losses to our troops".

Recommended by : Major General K. Rudnicki, GOC 1st Armoured Division

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.M.



For his service in WW2 he also received the following awards :

1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari, Legitymacja Numbered : 11203



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse

2) Army Medal

British

3) Military Medal

4) 1939-1945 Star

5) France and Germany Star

6) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

7) 1939-1945 War Medal

And no doubt a brace of French Commemorative Medals.



Badge of the 2nd Motorised Artillery Regiment obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Engineer from 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division

Sapper Tadeusz Pakiet

"On the 2nd and 3rd September 1944 Sapper Pakiet was with a party assisting a Canadian party, clearing a minefield on a road at the approaches to the Gothic Line (Map ref S.056760 to S. 049775 and 049755).

He went forward himself finding and clearing mines under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire with complete disregard for his own safety encouraging the others of his party to work forward and carry on in spite of the extremely dangerous nature of the work.

Due to his bravery and encouragement the road was quickly cleared of mines and Canadian units and transport were able to move forward".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

During the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1917-28-III, by the end of the war in Europe he had been promoted to St.Sap. (Lance Corporal) and awarded the Cross of Valour along with the Army Medal and Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 10190.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. from the 14th Rifle Battalion, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division

Serjeant Tadeusz Ferber

"On 3rd April 1944, during an attack on San Pietro sector Serjeant Ferber led his section in advance of a platoon, showing great coolness under fire and having his men at all times under perfect control.

At Monte Cassino he again distinguished himself by carrying out personal reconnaissance's in advance of forward patrols and observation posts, showing always great courage and heroism in these exploits.

When wounded he refused to leave the battlefield and continued to encourage his men and tend to those more seriously wounded than himself.

At Monte Piage on 22nd August 1944, he went forward by himself, with complete disregard for his own safety, along a road proved to be mined, leading his company, which was thus able to occupy the locality successfully".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B. Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse and reverse.

During the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1908-23-III, he also received the Army Medal and the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 16356.



During the September 1939 Campaign he was a Kapral captured by the soviets.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Senior Officer 2nd Polish Corps,

Lieutenant Colonel Tadeusz Ryczel

"Throughout the campaign in Italy Lieutenant Colonel Ryczel as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General and later Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at Headquarters 2 Polish Corps, has carried out his duties with untiring energy and with extreme efficiency.

He has had the difficult task of dove tailing the Polish 'A' Staff procedure into the British framework and has done this so well, that his branch works with complete smoothness in its dealings with British Headquarters.

During the planning of the battle of Monte Cassino and the initial stages of the action, owing to the absence of his Assistant Quartermaster General through sickness.

He carried the additional burden of his superior's duties as well as his own most energetically and efficiently and a very great measure of the successful way in which the administrative preparations for the battle were carried out, is due to his efforts".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue

Podpulkownik Dypl. Tadeusz Ryczel was born on the 7th October 1896 and during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1896-90-III, He also received the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 81.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a senior Officer from 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division

Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm Rolland

"Lieutenant Colonel Rolland as Acting Quartermaster General of 3 Carpathian Division, has consistently carried out a most difficult task with energy, courage and foresight.

During the battle for Monte Cassino, the successful coordination of the maintenance services of his division was a most complicated problem involving quite unorthodox methods demanding great attention to minute detail, exact timing and at the same time, initiative, invention and improvisation.

To Lieutenant Colonel Rolland belongs in great measure the credit for the complete success in maintaining his division both at Monte Cassino and during the subsequent operations on the Adriatic Sector.

His untiring energy and resourcefulness was at all times and inspiration to his Staff".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division).



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Podpulkownik Wilhelm Rolland was born on the 2nd June 1895, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1895-80-III,

During WW2 he received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 8618



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse.

2) Cross of Valour with 1 Bar

3) Army Medal

4) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 1754

British

5) O.B.E. (Military Division)

6) 1939-1945 Star

7) Africa Star

8) Italy Star

9) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

10) 1939-1945 War Medal.

After the end of the war in Europe he came to the UK and settled in London where he died on the 9th May 1960



Pulkownik Wilhelm Rolland's grave, South Ealing Cemetery.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. 1st Anti-tank Artillery Regiment, 1st Armoured Division

Corporal Stanisław Hasiuk

"On 20th April 1945 Corporal Hasiuk Stanisław was No 1 in 17 pounder gun, which was in position at Nieuwolda/Holland Map Reference 498173 S /.

At 0500 hours a strong detachment of about 60 men attacked the above mentioned village.

The infantry withdrew and the situation which could become serious was saved by Corporal Hasiuk.

This man did not stop firing the 17 pounder and Bren Machine gun until he had used all his ammunition.

The range he was firing at, was at times less than 25 yards".

Recommended by : Major General K. Rudnicki, GOC, 1 Armoured Division.

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

Kapral Stanisław Hasiuk was a pre 1939 Soldier who served in the KOP, in the September 1939 Campaign he was captured by the soviets and after the german attack on the soviet union in 1941 was released.

After being transported to Iraq he volunteered for the 1st Armoured Division and was secured passage via Cape Town to Scotland and the 1st Armoured Division.

No doubt after being in a soviet gulag he needed time to regain his strength.

During WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari, Legitymacja Numbered : 11159



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Legitymacja Numbered : 11159

2) Army Medal

British

3) Military Medal

4) 1939-1945 Star

5) France and Germany Star

6) 1939-1945 Defence Medal



Stanisław Hasiuk in 1947

Stanisław Hasiuk was born on the 15th November 1915, after the end of the war in Europe he came back to the UK then after being demobbed was sent down the mines to work.

In 1989 he moved into the Sue Ryder Home in Rotherham where he died in 1991 aged 75.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. 10th Light Field Ambulance

Sergeant Hieronim Sobiech

"During whole action of the 1 Polish Armoured Division, Sergeant Sobiech as a fitter of the Repair Section, zealously worked in keeping fit all the vehicles of the 10 Light Field Ambulance.

He did not interrupt his work even under enemy fire, repairing ambulances, and keeping them going under all conditions.

On 15th August 1944, at Quilly area in Normandy during an enemy air raid on the Advanced Dressing Station, Sergeant Sobiech was partially buried & received severe shock.

He had to be evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station but he voluntarily returned after a few days in order to continue his good work".

Recommended by : Major General Stanisław Maczek, GOC 1 Polish Armoured Division.

Countersigned by : Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief 21st Army Group

Dated : 12th February 1945

Award : B.E.M. (Military Division)



British Empire Medal obverse and reverse.


Hieronim Sobiech died in 1992 aged 84 in Scotland.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Ordnance N.C.O.

Warrant Officer 1 Stefan Jędraszak

"Warrant Officer Jędraszak carried out his duties in an excellent manner during mobilization and concentration of 1 Polish Armoured Division and during the whole campaign was, as he still is, in charge of the Divisional Dump.

In this theatre practically all Ordnance stores are delivered to the Division Dump in bulk and they have to besplit up for distribution to units.

This duty has been carried out by Warrant Officer Jędraszak to the utmost satisfaction of all concerned and he is responsible for the good results attained.

He is very popular with his men, and when under German gunfire and bombing whilst in Normandy he carried on with his duties in a calm and efficient manner showing an excellent example to all around him.

It is strongly recommended that a decoration be awarded in recognition of his outstanding work".

Recommended by : Major General Maczek, GOC 1 Polish Armoured Division

Countersigned by : Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief 21st Army Group

Dated : 4th March 1945

Award : B.E.M. (Military Division)

Recommendation was altered to an award of the M.B.E. (Military Division)



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. Provost Company, 1st Armoured Division

Sergeant Stanisław Grambor

"Since the beginning of the time of the Division went into action Sergeant Grambor has been attached as a Military Policeman to the 8 Infantry Battalion.

Very frequently, when all normal means of communication had been rendered impracticable by heavy enemy fire, he delivered orders for his Commanding Officer to the Company Commanders under difficult conditions.

On the 28th October 1944 Sergeant Grambor was one of the first to enter Breda.

In extraordinary arduous circumstances he made his way through to a company, which was cut off from the remainder of the Battalion, in order to deliver a new wireless set.

On the 20th October 1944 during the battle on the Mark Canal 8 Infantry Battalion was engaged in hard fighting trying to establish a bridgehead on the Canal.

Sergeant Gambor twice went across the canal which was under heavy artillery, mortar and machinegun fire, carrying orders from the Commanding Officer to the Company Commander thereby successfully helping the latter to consolidate the position".

Recommended by : Major General Maczek, GOC 1 Polish Armoured Division

Dated : 4th March 1945

Award : B.E.M. (Military Division)



British Empire Medal (Military Division) obverse and reverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej