BRITISH OPERATIONAL AWARDS TO POLISH ARMY OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS SERVING IN –

1 INDEPENDENT POLISH PARACHUTE BRIGADE

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Further Research:

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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

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Last modified 30 Jan 2014

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