|
BRITISH OPERATIONAL AWARDS TO POLISH ARMY OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS SERVING IN – |
1 INDEPENDENT POLISH PARACHUTE BRIGADE |
|
The information in the web page is a work in progress. |
Further Research: If you would like to contribute information to complete this page, then please forward details of the recipient and the award, the recommendation (citation) with a note of its source to the email address: - robert@ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk |
|
MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY DIVISION) HONORARY CBE |
Awarded for meritorious service. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Maj-Gen |
Sosabowski |
Stanisław |
GOC 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY DIVISION) HONORARY OBE |
Awarded for meritorious service. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Lt-Col |
Colba |
Jan |
Bde HQ 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
Lt-Col |
Szcerbo-Rawicz |
Antoni |
Bde HQ 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
|
||||
|
MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY DIVISION) HONORARY MBE |
Awarded for meritorious service. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Mjr |
Malaszkiewicz |
Ryszard |
Para Bde Depot 1 Pol Para Bde |
|
|
Capt |
Morawicz |
Jerzy |
Bde HQ 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
Capt |
Sobacinski |
Waclaw |
3 Para Bn, 1 Pol Para Bde |
|
|
Mjr |
Tonn |
Marian |
Bde HQ 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
|
||||
|
BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (BEM) |
The BEM was awarded to ranks below warrant officer for meritorous service. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
WO I |
Golebiewski |
Wladyslaw |
Bde HQ 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
WO I |
Wawrzyniak |
Adam |
Supply Coy, 1 Polish Para Bde |
|
|
|
||||
|
HONORARY COMPANION OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (D.S.O.) |
The DSO was awarded to commissioned officers for distinguished service, normally in positions of command but also, and much less frequently, for individual acts of gallantry. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Lt-Col |
Jachnik |
Stanislaw |
1 Pol Para Bde Gp |
Action for which recommended: This officer landed in command of a battalion of 1 Pol Para Bde Gp north of Elst during the allied attack on the Arnhem road bridge. Almost immediately after landing the troops under this officer’s command found themselves heavily engaged by the enemy. Lt-Col Jachnik, displaying a total disregard for his personal safety, organised the defence and beat off the enemy attacks. He then moved off his troops to the Brigade Group assembly area in good order. During the night 21/22 September this officer displayed great coolness and organising ability under heavy enemy fire during the first crossing of the Neder Rijn by troops of the 1st Polish Para Bde Gp. |
|
|
||||
|
MILITARY CROSS (M.C.) |
Awarded to all ranks of the Services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Capt |
Budziszewski |
Piotr |
OC Para Engr Coy, 1 Pol Para Bde Gp |
|
|
2/Lt |
Mikulski |
Mieczysław |
Acting OC Para A/Tk Bty, 1 Pol Para Bde Gp
|
Action for which recommended: This officer was acting Officer Commanding of an Anti-Tank Battery of the 1st Polish Para Bde Gp in the attack on the Arnhem road bridge in Holland. On the night 23rd/24th September, he crossed the Neder Rijn under strong enemy fire and suffered considerable casualties amongst his command in so doing. During the period this officer was fighting with 1st British Airborne Division in the Arnhem area, he was responsible for a sector in the perimeter defence. Throughout the period, he displayed outstanding courage and leadership in repelling repeated counter-attacks, with his unit organised as an infantry unit. During the evacuation to the Southern bank of the Neder Rijn, he displayed coolness and organising ability to ensure the withdrawal of his battery and was the last man to leave the northern shore. Owing to there being no boats available, he swam the river, without a lifebelt. |
|
|
||||
|
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL (D.C.M.) |
Awarded to warrant and non-commissioned ranks for gallantry in action against the enemy. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
L/Cpl |
Rychlinski |
Stanisław |
3 Para Bn, 1 Pol Para Bde Gp Service No 28367
|
Action for which recommended: This Lance-Corporal was with the part of the 1st Polish Para Bde Gp which crossed the Neder Rijn to join the 1st British Airborne Division in the Arnhem area in Holland during the period 20th - 24th September. Throughout the period this Lance-Corporal fought in the Arnhem area, he displayed outstanding courage. On one occasion, he advanced to within two yards of a German tank which he severely crippled before it could withdraw. During the ensuing period, he volunteered repeatedly for every mission of danger and was an outstanding example to the rest of the troops throughout this period. |
|
|
||||
|
MILITARY MEDAL (M.M.) |
The MM was awarded to warrant and non-commissioned ranks for gallantry in action against the enemy. It ranked below the DCM. |
|||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
Cpl |
Rutkiewicz |
Walerian |
2 Para Bn, 1 Pol Para Bde Gp Service No 30635
|
Action for which recommended: During the action of a group of the 1st Polish Para Bde Gp at Driel on the 22nd September, this Sergeant took part in the defence of the group against repeated German attacks, during which he displayed outstanding courage. On one occasion, when a German Spandau team was causing casualties to the defence, he personally stalked and killed the crew of the German machine gun, thereby saving the lives of many of his comrades. His courage and devotion to duty throughout the operations were most marked. |
|
Cpl |
Wisniewski |
Jozef |
Para Engr Coy, 1 Pol Para Bde Gp check Engr Coy
|
Action for which recommended: On 21st September, this NCO dropped with a group of the 1st Polish Para Bde Gp north-west of Elst. During the fighting round Driel on the 22nd September, he displayed great personal gallantry in repulsing continued attacks by the enemy against his unit. During these attacks he was wounded, but in spite of his wounds, he continued to display outstanding courage and was an example to all the other troops in his area. |
|
|
||||
|
KING’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT (CERTIFICATE) |
||||
|
RANK |
NAME |
FIRST NAME(S) |
STATUS |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
|
||||
|
1939 TO 1945 STAR |
The 1939 to 1945 Star was awarded for any period of operational service overseas between 3rd September 1939 and 8th May 1945. The criteria is normally 180 days’ service between these dates. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR |
Star awarded for 1 or more days’ service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Germany from 6th June 1944 to 8th May 1945. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES |
||||
|
Rank |
Name |
First name |
Status |
AWARDS INFORMATION |
|
SOURCES (1) The National Archives, Kew, England Ref WO 373. War Office and Ministry of Defence: Military Secretary's Department: Recommendations for Honours and Awards for Gallant and Distinguished Service (Army). (2) https://www.gov.uk/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility#overview |
|
|
UPDATES |
|
|
Last modified 30 Jan 2014 File name: BritMD1PIPB.htm |
© Copyright R M Ostrycharz 2014 |