Auction Catalogue

17 & 18 May 2016

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 137

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17 May 2016

Hammer Price:
£3,000

A rare Second World War M.M. group of seven awarded to Corporal L. Majewski, 5th Kresowa Division Field Artillery, who was decorated for his gallantry at Monte Cassino in May 1944 and afterwards in the mobile operations along the Adriatic

Poland, Army Active Service Medal; Poland, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division Commemorative Medal 1941-1971; Great Britain, Military Medal, G.VI.R. (Cpl. L. Majewski, Polish Army); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with 5th Kresowa Infantry Division metalled tunic badge, two related Divisional embroidered shoulder patches, a ‘Poland’ shoulder flash and his tunic ribands, good very fine (Lot) £2400-2600

One of approximately 70 honorary awards of the M.M. to Polish recipients in the 1939-45 War.

M.M. approved on 13 August 1945, by Lieutenant-General W. Anders, 2nd Polish Corps and Lieutenant-General R. L. McCreery, G.O.C., Eighth Army. The original recommendation states:

‘In exceptionally difficult conditions and frequently under enemy artillery and mortar fire, throughout the Italian Campaign, he was always at the Command Post of 3rd Battery, 5th Polish Field Regiment, where he worked with outstanding devotion to duty as N.C.O. i/c the Battery’s wireless communications.

In particular:

1. During the battle of Monte Cassino between 11-12 May 1944 he was at the Battery O.P. under constant and heavy enemy artillery fire, where he worked without sleep or rest, completely disregarding his personal safety, thus ensuring reliable wireless communication with the forward O.P. on Phantom Ridge and S. Angelo.

2. During the mobile operations along the Adriatic, in the Apennines and during the battle of Bologna, he always worked with the utmost devotion, courage and energy, thus always ensuring that the Battery had constant wireless communication with the forward O.P.’

Leon Majewski was born at Szwarcenowo, Krotoszyny, Lubawa in April 1907 and was called up from the Polish Army Reserve in August 1939. Drafted to 29 Field Artillery Regiment, he served in the campaign in Poland in the following month, when he was taken P.O.W. by the Soviet Red Army. Following the Polish-Soviet agreement of 30 July 1941, he was released and rejoined the Polish Army as a member of the 5th Wilenski Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division, which joined the British 8th Army in October 1942. He subsequently served in the Middle East 1942-44 and in Italy 1944-46 and, as cited above, was awarded the M.M. for his courage at Monte Cassino and in later operations. Finally discharged in the U.K. in May 1947, he was embarked at Glasgow for Gdansk, Poland in the following month.

In addition to his M.M., Majewski was also awarded the Polish Cross for Monte Cassino, the Bronze Cross of Merit with swords and the Army Active Service Medal; sold with copied official records, British and Polish.