British 8th Army, Polish 2nd Corps, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division ****RECOMMENDED

[pjac]

I have absolutely no Polish connections, other than the fact that I know my mother, a Red Cross nurse, looked after Polish servicemen at North Manchester Auxiliary Hospital during the war. However, this is all fascinating! I have nothing but respect for the men who were forced out of their own land and fought back so passionately.

Patrick

Edited November 24, 2014 by pjac

[Pat Healey]

I have almost finished an "album" of the life of Wladyslaw Najduch. In 1939, at the age of 15, he was taken from his home by the Soviets to a forced labour camp in Archangel. He made detailed sketches of the camp and its activities. After 2 years, he joined others somehow, thousands of miles way. He was 3rd Carpathian Fifles, Polish 2 Corps, 2 Signals Battalion 2 Warszawska Armoured Div. As was the norm for 2 Corps, he was in Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Tobruk, Monte Cassino, Ancona & Bologna.

I have photos taken by & of him at all the above locations + his time in PRC in various UK locations. Appx 80 photos. Most with notation in Polish on reverse.

I have his 5 medals (one missing according to uniform ribbons) but no medal documentation, but have managed to identify all 6. I also have his uniform insignia and his Service Record from Northolt........the writing is tiny AND in Polish, so my research has now stumbled. I've seen that in Monte Cassino, he was a Master Signaller and that he rode a motorcycle. There is no mention of him being wounded but having seen entry and exit wounds, I know he was. There are no "wounded" stars in collection.

I would like to identify his collar flashes; slim pennants in enamelled metal, coloured black over blue.....are these for 2 Signals 2 Armoured Div?

What to do with the album & collection when finally complete? Not sure at this stage.....perhaps donate it to his old school in Poland (same time and place as Pope John Paul) I just feel that he should be remembered.

Patrick Healey.

[Pat Healey]

Pic includes Siberian Exile and Monte Cassino Anniversary medals

Patrick Healey

[Adele Hopkinson]

Adele - we wish you every success in your search. I am sure that our members who have an interest in the Polish

Forces will be very pleased to help you. Please let us know how you make progress. Mervyn

​Thank you! I shall keep you updated as and when I find out more.

[captainofthe7th]

Thanks everyone for sharing all of this information.  I love seeing well documented Polish items.  I have much to learn about them...perhaps someday I can acquire a few pieces.

Rob

[leigh kitchen]

I am carrying out some research into Polish 2nd Corps for the Aldershot Military Museum. We have some medals for a Cpl V Drewett of the Devon 6th Landing Brigade. Included were some medals with Polish connection. We believe we have identified some of these medals but would like any help with all of them.

 

Many thanks

Regards

Alan

 

 

 

Can't make out a lot on a phone, but some of the medals are unofficial private purchase ones.

[Michalito44]

Some years ago I've bought Photo book - Żołnierz z Montecassino (see attached pictures)

Inside my book there is few badges - as I was told in POL AF Museum in Warsaw all of them are authentical from II WW.

The only issues and question is about 8th British Army sign - it's quate interesting and let say" sophisticated - looks like  from 1st class uniform or something - please direct me to someone who can answer anything about this badge

 

 

 

[Buj]

Hi everyone ....just come across this site. Brilliant. My father was a member of 3rd DSK as part of the 3rd carpathian Division. I am however trying to locate his brother Leon. If anyone ever comes across a Leon Bujak please do email me at canary1960@hotmail.com   He may have changed his name as like my father he escaped from the Wehrmacht and it was common for these men to take on an assumed name.

 

Thank you !

 

Buj

[Hela]

Hi Buj

Most of the time there are other people who have the same name. Could you give more information for those ppl looking out for Leon.  For example a date of birth, where were they from in Poland....parents names and your Dads Christian name or any other siblings.  

 

Cheers!  

Hela

[peter monahan]

Hela is correct: additional information will help substantially to increase the likelihood of finding the information you're looking for. 

[Tessa]

I received my grandfathers army papers and he was in the poish corps 8 heavy anti aircraft. 

 

My grandmother reluctantly sold his army medals to support her bringing up 3 children as a single parent.

could you let me know what army medals were awarded to him? 

The M.O.D has given me the British medal as he wasn't awarded it and he was entitled to 2 polish medals but it was outside the British authorities and to the best of my knowledge poland stopped issuing them (sadly). 

I wanted to know which ones my nan sold? I'm presuming it's the ones written on the pic I am attaching, but I can't make out what some of it says!! 

Kind regards,

tess

[Tessa]

Hi please can somebody help me!? Or am I posting in the wrong place?? 

 

Kind regards,

tess

[Zdeb.41]

Hi, Tessa

my English is not perfect, but:

18.II.45          Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour)  for the first time in recognizing acts of the bravery and the courage demonstrated on the line of duty...  order of the formation:  8th Heavy Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment (2nd Polish Corps) …16/45   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Valour_(Poland) 

7.3.45            Krzyż Pamiatkowy Monte Cassino ( Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross)  No 37185…19/45        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Cassino_Commemorative_Cross   

28.12.45         Gwiazda za Wojne 1939-1945 (1939-1945 Star )  …99/45           https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939%E2%80%931945_Star

28.12.45          Gwiazda Italii (Italy Star ) …99/45                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_Star   

22.9.46           Medal Wojska (Army Medal for War 1939-45)  for the first time…91/46      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Medal_for_War_1939-45 

189.10.46     Brytyjski Medal Wojny 1939-1945  (Defence Medal ) …92/46        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_Medal_(United_Kingdom)   

don't worry, be happy            best regards Zdeb

https://www.amazon.com/Polish-Heavy-Anti-Aircraft-Artillery-Regiment/dp/B00S0VKP4W

[Pearl Sev.]

Hi, I am trying to find any information  about my father-in -law Jan Sewerynski, who was with the 3rd Carpathians. He is in the centre front row of this photo. He was born in Brodnica in 1924, and was later at Monte Casino. I am hoping someone out there may recognise any of the soldiers in this picture. I have other photos but I am having trouble with loading them.

Regards

Pearl Sev.

Here is another photo of Jan Sewerynski and others. He is the little bloke in the centre in the sunglasses. I believe this was taken around 1945. I have no info on where it may have been taken. Any help would be gratefully received!

Regards

Pearl Sev

 

[Rodney Kupczyk]

My farmers medals. He was in the 3rd Carpathian Rifles. He escaped from Poland via Persia to England.  He was crew member on a ship taking the 8th Army to Egypt. His ship was torpedoed. On his next trip this ship was also torpedoed. He was one of only 6 survivors. He helped an injured English soldier. After being picked up by a fishing boat, he was seconded into the 8th Army. He fought at Tobruk & was subsequently transferred back to the 3rd Carpathians. He fought at Monte Cassino & was in the group who took the monistry. He was wounded in a minor skirmish in Northern Italy & was brought back to UK to recover. Several years after he married, he was introduced to his brother in law. The man he helped save in the sea!

[Brett Hendey]

Rodney

A wonderful assemblage and a great story to go with it!  Thank you for sharing,

Regards

Brett

[Michael Johnson]

Rodney,

A fantastic display, and a family history to be proud of.

I had a similar coincidence, in that I found that my wife's grandfather and my uncle probably worked together with the RCAF in Toronto in the Second War.  Of course by the time I met my wife both were no longer with us, so I couldn't ask.

Michael

[peter monahan]

I'm sorry to see so few replies to these queries but, sadly, not very surprised.  So many of the WWII vets were closed-mouthed about their experiences, as tends to be the case with all combat soldeirs, and most of them are no longer with us now.  I do know, however, that at least here in Canada there are/were strong Polish veterans groups and contacting them, in lieu of the Polish government, may be a useful approach.  With the wonders of the WWW, research is far easier than it was in the days when 'Google' was a 10 metre long cabinet full of little file cards and a library of 1 or 2 million books!

Rodney, thanks for posting!  I hope you'll stay with us and keep sharing both information and queries.

Peter