British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. 5th Kresowa Artillery

Corporal Leon Majewski

"In exceptionally difficult conditions and frequently under enemy artillery and mortar fire, throughout the Italian Campaign, he was always at the Command Post of 3rd Battery, 5th Polish Field Regiment, where he worked with outstanding devotion to duty as N.C.O. in charge of the Battery’s wireless communications.

In particular :

1. During the battle of Monte Cassino between 11-12 May 1944 he was at the Battery Observation Post under constant and heavy enemy artillery fire, where he worked without sleep or rest, completely disregarding his personal safety, thus ensuring reliable wireless communication with the forward Observation Post on Phantom Ridge and S. Angelo.

2. During the mobile operations along the Adriatic, in the Apennines and during the battle of Bologna, he always worked with the utmost devotion, courage and energy, thus always ensuring that the Battery had constant wireless communication with the forward Observation Posts".

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

Dated : July 1945.

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

During the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1907-143-III, during WW2 he received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Army Medal

2) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 21021

British

3) Military Medal

4) 1939-1945 Star

5) Italy Star

6) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

7) 1939-1945 War Medal



Medals awarded to Kapral Leon Majewski (Missing the Monte Cassino Cross).


Leon Majewski was born at Szwarcenowo, Krotoszyny, Lubawa in April 1907 and was called up from the Polish Army Reserve in August 1939. Drafted to 29 Field Artillery Regiment, he served in the campaign in Poland in the following month, when he was taken P.O.W. by the Soviet Red Army. Following the Polish-Soviet agreement of 30 July 1941, he was released and rejoined the Polish Army as a member of the 5th Wilenski Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division, which joined the British 8th Army in October 1942. He subsequently served in the Middle East 1942-44 and in Italy 1944-46 and, as cited above, was awarded the M.M. for his courage at Monte Cassino and in later operations. Finally discharged in the U.K. in May 1947, he was embarked at Glasgow for Gdansk, Poland in the following month.

I know that I had posted this already in the Polish Auction Page, but thought that it really needed to be with the other Recommendations.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

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

Corporal Władysław Budzyński

"On 13th April 1945 in the sector of Weede / Holland Map Reference 565973 / his carrier section ran into heavy enemy machine gun and light Anti-Tank fire.

Our own troops on his right / Belgian Parachute Battalion were by mistake also firing at his section.

Corporal Budzyński gave order to keep contact with the enemy and at great risk to his life tried to get to the Belgium Para troops to explain their mistake and stop their fire.

By his deed he prevented casualties and inspired his men to fight on in spite of the fire from the rear".

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

Dated : 3rd July 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

During WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Cross of Valour

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

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an officer from the 1st Motorized Artillery Regiment

Lieutenant Marcin Rudniak

"On 20th August 1944 during the action of closing the Falaise gap he was posted as Forward Observation Officer in the area of hill 262 / France Map Reference 438557 / his ranging was remarkably good and affective.

He showed great courage and self sacrifice regardless of his own safety.

Although his Observation Post tank was hit twice and one of the tank crew / Wireless Operator / had been killed he himself gave orders to fire destroying an enemy tank position".

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

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.C.



Military Cross case of issue



Military Cross in case of issue obverse



Military Cross obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Something completely different a Cipher Telegram Dated 6th May 1945.

Cipher Telegram 316144

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments or Headquarters or re transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased.

(Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased).

From : Allied Forces Headquarters

To : The War Office

Important

F71713 Cipher 6 May Restricted.

Cite FHDMS Signed Alexander

Personal for MS from Field Marshall Alexander.

I recommend the following for special awards as stated. I hope they will be approved and published as early as possible.

KCB : Lieutenant General C F Keightley

KBE : Lieutenant General Sir R L McCreery, JLI Hawksworth, Sir John Harding

Third Bar to DSO : Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Freyberg

CB : Major Generals H Murray, CY Whitfield, NRK Arbuthnot, D Russell, D W Reid, A D Ward, C E Weir, C F Loewen, Brigadier G M C Davy

CBE : Major General R H E Poole

also General Zygmunt Bohusz-Szyszko Commanding Polish Corps, Bronisław Duch Commanding Carpathian Division, Nikodem Sulik Commanding Kresowa for Honorary CB.

Citations follow earliest

C.6. (Telegrams)

Distribution : MS M.S.3.

7.5.45.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

I came across the following CT which will answer any questions raised by the previous post.

Cipher Telegram 345280 68/Gen/8043

This message will not be distributed outside British Government Departments of Headquarters or re-transmitted, even in cipher, without being paraphrased. (Messages marked O.T.P. need not be paraphrased).

Recd. 230120.Sep 45.
D.T.O. 221901A

From : A.F.H.Q.

To : The War Office

F.45168 cipher 22 Sep. Restricted.

Cite FHDMS signed Alexander.

Your 65932 (ES3) of 9 August.

General Anders agrees recommendation CB for Bohusz-Szyszko but requests substitution names of Major Generals Odzierzyński Comd Polish Arty and Major General Bronisław Rakowski formerly Commander 2 Polish armoured brigade for Duch and Sulik. We are reluctant to make awards against Anders wishes but it is known that Anders recommended Rakowski and Odzierzyński for American Legion of Merit.

SAC feels that Division Commanders should not be left unrewarded and recommends awards to all four. Do you agree.
C.6. (Telegrams) to : M.S.3 (action) only.

In the end they where awarded the British Awards :

Major General Roman Odzierzyński was made a C.B.E.(Military Division) also received the Commanders Cross of the US Legion of Merit

Lieutenant General Zygmunt Szyszko-Bohusz was awarded the D.S.O.

Major General Bolesław Duch was awarded the D.S.O.

Major General Bronisław Rakowski was awarded the D.S.O.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

A list of some of the Recipients of the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause for Freedom.

1) Kapitan Antoni Nikodem Pospieszalski

2) Pchor. Ryszard Rosse-Geyer

3) Porucznik Czesław Błaszczyk

4) Szer. Julian Ejsmont

5) Kapitan Leon Golagorski

6) Porucznik Wiktor Hanoch

7) Porucznik Stanisław Lasocki

8) Major Stefan Szymanowski

9) Pulkownik Dypl. Kazimierz Wincenty Iranek-Osmecki VM,VM, KN, KW x 4, ZKZzM



Plk.Dypl. Kazimierz Wincenty Iranek-Osmecki

10) Podpulkownik Jacek Bętkowski VM, KW x 2, SKZzM



Pplk Jacek Bętkowski

11) Podpulkownik Felicjan Ludwik Majorkiewicz KW.



Pplk. Felicjan Ludwik Majorkiewicz

12) Major Aleksander Stpiczyński VM.



Rtm. (Later Major) Aleksander Stpiczyński, receiving the VM from General Sosnkowski in London

13) Major Narcyz Łopianowski VM, KW.

14) Major Kazimierz Szternal VM, KW x 2, ZKZzM



Major Kazimierz Szternal

15) Major Jerzy Cezary Antoszewicz KW, ZKZzM



Mjr. Jerzy Cezary Antoszewicz

16) Major Wacław Jan Pijanowski VM

17) major Tadeusz Stocki VM

18) Major Tomasz Jan Wierzejski VM, KW x 2

19) Major Piotr Szewczyk VM, KW x 3, CdeG with Palm



Mjr. Piotr Szewczyk whilst training in the UK during WW2

20) Major Jan Krakiewicz.

All the above where Recommended for the King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom.



King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom in case of issue obverse



King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom obverse and reverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time one that was published in the London Gazette of March 1945

War Substantive Lieutenant, Temporary Captain Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik

"At the crossing of the River KALADAN, at TINNA on night 4th/5th December 1944, Captain Zieleźnik was in command of the leading Company.

Owing to the operational necessity of crossing the river as soon as possible, it was decided to cross at 2330 hours, low tide, although proper reconnaissance of the far bank at low tide had not been possible.

When the first flight arrived at the beach it was found that the low tide had left a wide band of treacherous impassable mud.

Captain Zieleźnik showing the greatest resources, energy and initiative immediately organised the building of corduroy paths over the mud to enable the boats to be launched.

It was feared that the enemy bank would present a similar obstacle to landing. Captain Zieleźnik immediately volunteered to recce the other bank, accompanied by one A.O.R. with an L.M.G., he crossed the 500x of river in bright moonlight not knowing if the enemy were holding the far bank.

On arrival on the far bank he found a possible landing place, sent a message back and then accompanied by his Bren gunner only, made a detailed reconnaissance of the whole bridgehead area.

As a result of this reconnaissance, the job of the leading flights of troops was simplified and the crossing completed well ahead of their schedule.

Captain Zieleźnik's cold blooded courage in crossing in the bright moonlight accelerated the completion of a very hazardous operation, he set the finest example to his own Company, who crossed in the van in record time so keen were they to get to the support of their Company Commander whom they knew was alone on the other side.

Without Captain Zieleźnik's performance it is probable that the whole operation would have been delayed and the enemy, who were found 1000x from the bridgehead at 0400 hours would have withdrawn unhindered.

As it was, the enemy were located and Captain Zieleźnik's Company came under fire and immediately pursued the enemy with the bayonet.

Casualties were inflicted on the enemy, who promptly withdrew in some confusion, so complete was the surprise achieved by the crossing".

Recommended by : Lieutenant Colonel John Anthony Jarvis Read. M.C. Officer Commanding 1st Gambia Regiment

Countersigned by : Brigadier Arthur Ainsle Crook, Commanding 6th (West African) Infantry Brigade

Countersigned by : Major General Frederick Joseph Loftus-Tottenham, Commanding 81st (West African) Division.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General Alexander Frank Philip Christison, Commanding 15th Indian Corps.

Dated : 7th December 1944

Award : "Immediate Military Cross".



Military Cross case of issue



Military Cross in case of issue obverse



Military Cross obverse.



Captain Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik, leading his Company



Captain Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik, standing 2nd from the right



London Gazette Entry for the award of the Military Cross to Captain Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik.

The following Month he was also named in the London Gazette for a Mention in Despatches along with 2 other Polish Officers.



By the end of the War in the Far East he had also been promoted to Major.

And in 1947 he again is mentioned in the London Gazette after being granted British Citizenship



London Gazette announcement issue dated 19th September 1947.

Major Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik was born on the 11th June 1909 and after retiring from the Army lived in London



1965 Electoral Register for Holland Park



Major Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik death entry he died on the 1st May 1983 in Lyme Regis, Dorset



1983 Probate for Major Jan Kazimierz Zieleźnik.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for another officer of the 1st Gambia Regiment who was initially recommended for the D.S.O., but was downgraded to a M.B.E. by Lt. General "Bill" Slim.

War Substantive Captain, Temporary Major Stanisław Lisiecki

"This Officer has commanded a Rifle Company throughout the campaign with the greatest skill.

He has repeatedly shown high personal courage and an ability to think quickly and clearly in moments of emergency.

By his own personal example and by his tactical skill he has inspired all ranks of his Company with the greatest confidence in him as a leader and thus ensured that all tasks allotted to his Company.

Have been carried out in a manner that has been efficient and effective and has caused considerable casualties to be inflicted on the enemy".

Recommended by : Lieutenant Colonel John Anthony Jarvis Read, Commanding Officer 1st Gambia Regiment, West African Force.

Countersigned by : Brigadier Richard Norton Cartwright, Commanding 6th West African Brigade

Dated 16th May 1944

When the Recommendation reached the General Officer Commander in Chief's Desk he downgraded it to an M.B.E. (Military Division)

this was also endorsed by : General George James Giffard, Commander in Chief 11th Army Group.

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



M.B.E. (Miliatry Division) case of issue



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



Major Stanisław Lisiecki speaking with one of his N.C.O.'s



London Gazette announcement of the award of the M.B.E. (Miliatry Division) to Major Stanisław Lisiecki.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Senior Railway Officer,

Lieutenant Colonel Wacław Damrosz

"Lieutenant Colonel Damrosz as Commanding Officer 11 Polish Railway Battalion for two years has worked directly under GHQ PAIFORCE and GHQ MEF.

This officer, through his zeal and example to those under his command coupled with his great efficiency in matters of organization, has enabled his Unit to render invaluable service to the BRITISH Railway organization in both Commands.

His personality and enthusiasm for any task which he and his unit have been given, have invariably proved an example and source of encouragement to all those with whom he has come in contact".

Recommended by : Brigadier J.S.C. Hennessy

Countersigned by : General Bernard Charles Tolver Paget

Dated : 16th January 1945

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



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

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Two Recommendations for Two N.C.O.'s for the same action in the United Kingdom, the event happened on the night of the 7th December 1941 in Wellington Street, Grimsby.

Serjeant V354/18/I Ignacy Przewozny

"During an air raid incendiary bombs set light to a house, the occupants of which were out. Serjeant Przewozny climbed on the shoulders of another Polish soldier and entered the house by an upper window.

He smashed the window with his hand and found that the room was full of smoke, undeterred, he put on his respirator and dealt with the fire and the incendiary bomb.

Although he had cut his hand when he broke the window, he continued to throw out of the window burning material with his bare hands.

He continued his work until the fire was extinguished, in spite of the injury to his hand, which was cut and burnt and also suffering from the effects of smoke.

He went with the other soldier to another fire in the same street, where they did similar work.

Serjeant Przewozny showed courage and great promptitude and was greatly helped by the other Polish soldier".

Award : B.E.M.



British Empire Medal obverse and reverse.

The other Polish Soldier helping Serjeant Przewozny during the Air Raid was

Corporal V2623/59/I Józef Strzelecki

During an air raid incendiary bombs set light to a house, the ocuupants of which were out.

Serjeant Przewozny climbed on the shoulder of Strzelecki and entered the house by an upper window. He smashed the window with his hand and found that the room was full of smoke, undeterred, he put on a respirator and dealt with the fire and the incendiary bomb.

Although he had cut his hand when he broke the window, he continued to throw out of the window burning material with his bare hands.

He continued his work until the fire was extinguished, in spite of the injury to his hand which was cut and burnt and also suffering from the effects of the smoke. He went with Strzelecki to another fire in the same street, where they did similar work.

Serjeant Prezowzny showed courage and great promptitude and was greatly helped by Corporal Strzelecki".

Award : King's Commendation for Brave Conduct



King's Commendation for Brave Conduct.



Letter that accompanied the Badges.

Best wishes

Andrzej