Hi.
I will post pictures of my late father-in-law's medals, pay books, etc, but among his medals he was awarded the Krzyż Walecznych in late 44 (perhaps as late as December) for an action along the Adriatic/Gothic Line.
We have the original pinkish card that states he was awarded and is entitled to wear it and when it was issued, along with the rest of his unit cap badges, insignia, etc. He served with the 5th Kresowa, 13th ' Wilenski' Inf Battalion (Batalion Strzelcow ‘Rysiow’), and had been a POW in southern Italy (after being captured by Tito's (or British?) forces on a Adriatic Island off the Yugoslavian coast) until joining up with the II Polish Corps in June of 44. Remarkably, one of his brothers had found his way in II Polish Corps and the two reunited at a parade in April 1945, each believing the other lost in the war.
I tried one agency in the UK but they were unable to tell me why my late father-in-law was awarded the Krzyż Walecznych. I have had my wife do her best to read the 13th's unit diaries but I can find no mention of the action. With the Krzyż Walecznych slip of paper there is a number ... would that help figure out why he was awarded it? Or is this sort of thing lost to the ravages of time?
Many thanks, pictures to come later.
Bookmarks