Warsaw Uprising 19944

[PZULBA]

Warsaw Uprising 1944 - Leading up to 40th Anniversary of Warsaw Uprising in 1984, my father who was an RAFVR Air Gunner attached to 34 & then 31 Squadron SAAF (205 Group in Italy) was 'awarded' a 1944 Warsaw Uprising Cross by the 'Free Polish Government in Exile', this for participation in the 'Warsaw Airlift of supplies to Warsaw' - not to be out done the then Warsaw (Communist) Government also awarded him (& others) their version of the same 'medal';

Some time later, the 'Free Poles' also awarded him the 'Polish Cross of Valour', my question is how legitimate are these awards?

PZULBA - Out of Africa

[leigh kitchen]

These all sound legit. to me - as long as we're not talking about ex-servicemen's association "awards" which were paid for......

[Kev in Deva]

Warsaw Uprising 1944 - Leading up to 40th Anniversary of Warsaw Uprising in 1984, my father who was an RAFVR Air Gunner attached to 34 & then 31 Squadron SAAF (205 Group in Italy) was 'awarded' a 1944 Warsaw Uprising Cross by the 'Free Polish Government in Exile', this for participation in the 'Warsaw Airlift of supplies to Warsaw' - not to be out done the then Warsaw (Communist) Government also awarded him (& others) their version of the same 'medal';

Some time later, the 'Free Poles' also awarded him the 'Polish Cross of Valour', my question is how legitimate are these awards?

PZULBA - Out of Africa

Hallo PZULBA

can you give any details of the RAF missions to Warsaw, I was under the impession that due to the Soviets not allowing the planes permission to land and refuel in Russian territory they plan was cancelled

Kevin in Deva.

[PZULBA]

<!--quoteo(post=41830:date=Dec 25 2005, 22:37 :name=PZULBA)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PZULBA @ Dec 25 2005, 22:37 ) ←</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Warsaw Uprising 1944 - Leading up to 40th Anniversary of Warsaw Uprising in 1984, my father who was an RAFVR Air Gunner attached to 34 & then 31 Squadron SAAF (205 Group in Italy) was 'awarded' a 1944 Warsaw Uprising Cross by the 'Free Polish Government in Exile', this for participation in the 'Warsaw Airlift of supplies to Warsaw' - not to be out done the then Warsaw (Communist) Government also awarded him (& others) their version of the same 'medal';

Some time later, the 'Free Poles' also awarded him the 'Polish Cross of Valour', my question is how legitimate are these awards?

PZULBA - Out of Africa<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Hallo PZULBA <img src="http://gmic.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cheers.gif" />

can you give any details of the RAF missions to Warsaw, I was under the impession that due to the Soviets not allowing the planes permission to land and refuel in Russian territory they plan was cancelled <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" />

Kevin in Deva. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/beer.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="beer.gif" />

Kevin

Apologies for delayed response

Shortly after the Warsaw Uprising began on 1 August 1944, the Polish Special Duties 1586 Flight based in Brindisi commenced ops to support the Uprising;

This was followed by ops from RAF Squadrons 148 (Special Duties) and 178, and SAAF Squadrons 31 & 34 all of 205 Group RAF based in the Foggia area, whilst 148 & 178 crews were primarily RAF (British) with 31 & 34 SAAF being primarily South African, in fact the Commonwealth particularly RAAF & RNZAF plus RCAF & SAAF with 148 ? 178, and RAF, RAAF & RNZAF plus even a Belgian with 31 & 34 SAAF;

The USAAF also flew one mission from the UK on 15 September

In all some 186 missions were flown primarily as single aircraft sorties with durations of 10 hours plus in what was effectively summertime and darkness periods of 5 - 6 hours maximum of which 31/34 Squadrons flew 41 and lost 11 aircraft with some 59 KIA, 11 POW and 15 evaded/landed in Russian occupied territory

Trust above of interest

PZULBA - Out of Africa (Retired)