Dear Andrzejku,
First of all thank you for your last list. Again, very useful.
Here is an in interesting query. A lady wrote to me about her mother Danuta Mączka who is a recipient of the MMC but she does not know the number. She served in the following unit :
oddział 316 Komp. Transp. PWSK [Pomocniczą Wojskową Służbę Kobiet]
Unit: 316 Transport Company. WAAS [Women's Army Auxiliary Service]
However, she has a letter from the Bureau for Army/Military Affairs from 1980 saying that the Cross has been awarded backdated to 1944. My question is, was she missed off the original MMC distribution for some reason and only later was it discovered that she should have been awarded the cross. Since no number is stated could it be that since the Polish Givernmnet in Exile were no longer in a position to give out actual crosses, was she granted one without a number being assigned? Have you heard of such a case before? I know some crosses were issued as an afterthought in the 1940s, but 1980?
Any ideas would be appreciated. Oh, and he added cheekily, if you are looking at 316 Komp. Transp. Any chance of the number range?
I attach my translation of the Bureau for Army/Military Affairs letter below for your information.
Best regards, Mark OSTRO
Ministerstwo spraw wojskowych, ;orzełek ;
Ministry of Army/Military Affairs; eagle
LEGITYMACJA , Nr.218/316,
Certificate No. 218/316
upoważniająca do noszenia
Is permitted to wear
KRZYŻA MONTE CASSINO.
THE MONTE CASSINO CROSS
Na drugiej stronie:
On the other side.
MINISTERSTWO SPRAW WOJSKOWYCH ,
Ministry of Army/military Affairs
że Ochot Mączka Danuta,
Volunteer Mączka Danuta
oddział 316 Komp. Transp. PWSK [Pomocniczą Wojskową Służbę Kobiet]
Unit: 316 Transport Company. WAAS [Women's Army Auxiliary Service]
odznaczona została KRZYŻEM MONTE CASSINO,
has been awarded THE MONTE CASSINO CROSS
podstawa Rozk. Nacz.Wodza 3504/( nie wyraźne-pieczęć)
based on the Commander in Chiefs order 3504/ (unclear – seal/stamp)
nadania dnia 26.7.1944.
date of award 26/7/1944
Wręczenia – Londyn 19 maja 1980.
Awarded London 19th May 1980
/Podpisany/ Szef Biura . Spraw Wojskowych ( nie mogę odczytać nazwiska) mjr dypl.
Signed/ Chief of Bureau for Army/Military Affairs (cannot read the name) Major.
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