Edward Burak
Born on: 13 October 1921 at Newark, New Jersey, USA
Died Darlington UK 5 Oct 1991
Prior to 1939 lived in Mołodeczno, county of Wilno, Poland (now Belarus), which after the 1939 September campaign in Poland was occupied by the former Soviet Union. Being of Polish nationality he was deported to the former USSR in 1940 – exact date(s) and place(s) of his deportation/forced labour within the former Soviet Union not recorded.
On the basis of the Sikorski-Maisky (Polish-Soviet) agreement of 30 July 1941, released for the purpose of joining the Polish Armed Forces, which were being organised in 1941-1942 on the former Soviet territory. Enlisted in the Polish Army on 12.05.1942 and was posted to the Army Organisation Centre.
Together with the Polish Army units, crossed the Soviet-Iranian border, was evacuated to Iran, thereby came under British command with effect from 15.08.1942. Via Iraq was transferred to Palestine.
On the re-organisation of the Polish Army in the Middle East was transferred to 3 Company, 6 Tank Battalion (re-named 6 Armoured Regiment on 01.07.1943), 2 Warszawska Armoured Division, 2 Polish Corps, 8 British Army on 16.11.1942.
Served in the Middle East (Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt) 1942-1944 and in Italy 1944-1946, when together with 2 Polish Corps was transferred to the United Kingdom – exact date of arrival in the United Kingdom not recorded.
Due to a gradual demobilisation of the Polish Forces under British command, enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corps (PRC) and served in the United Kingdom until finally discharged on 13.01.1948 on absorption into industry.
Theatre of Operations:
Italy 09.04.1944 – 02.05.1945
09.04.44-23.04.44 Action on the Rivers Sangro and Rapido/Southern Apennines
24.04.44-31.05.44 Battle for Monte Cassino/Gustav-Hitler line of enemy defences
01.06.44-04.09.44 Battle for Ancona/Goths line of enemy defences
05.09.44-09.10.44 Rearguard of 8 British Army
10.10.44-01.01.45 Action in the Northern Apennines
02.01.45-08.04.45 Action on the River Senio
09.04.45-02.05.45 Battle for Bologna/Lombardy Plain
Medal Entitlement:
Polish: Cross for Valour, Cross of Monte Cassino No 30436, Army Medal
British: 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, The War Medal 1939-45.
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