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  #1  
Old 12-09-18, 01:18 PM
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Default 5th Polish Kresowa Division WW2

A group of Polish insignia recently acquired. Fairly complete set to a soldier named Wladyslaw Borowiak, as marked on his ID tag. A few of the badges have Italian makers names to the reverse. The Polish 2d Corps badge is numbered for issue. The silvered Polish eagle cap badge is marked JR Gaunt London. I am going to conjecture that the cloth signs and titles are Italian made also.

I have read that the Monte Cassino Cross can be attributed based on the number however not sure at this time how to go about doing this. This Polish veteran settled in Canada after the war based on some other items that came in the group.
Thanks
Jack

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  #2  
Old 12-09-18, 01:58 PM
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Very nice, I have a few Army in The West groups and a few single Monte Casino Crosses.
It was thought that the Monte Casino Crosses could only be attributed to units and not to individuals but this isn't the case, some if not all can be traced to individuals.
There are lengthy and very informative threads on such insignia and awards on the War Relics forum, where Anthony Z and Gary J may be able to point you in the right direction re. attributing the Cross, also Rafael on this forum plus more on the Wehrmacht Awards forum.

The Cross may not necessarily match the name on the dog tag, about 15 years ago I discovered that a Cross I had with other medals and documentation didn't actually "belong" to man whose documentation it came with but to another man of the 5 KDP unit he was in who was killed at Bologna.
Perhaps an admin mistake, perhaps awards swapped between friends?
I only found that out because I posted mention of the group on a Polish Para forum and received an email from someone in Poland telling me which serial numbers the two men's Crosses had, unfortunately I never received any further communication from that person.

Last edited by leigh kitchen; 12-09-18 at 02:13 PM.
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  #3  
Old 12-09-18, 02:01 PM
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Hi Jack,

An amazing grouping, well done and thanks for sharing.

Cheerio,

Roy
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  #4  
Old 12-09-18, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leigh kitchen View Post
Very nice, I have a few Army in The West groups and a few single Monte Casino Crosses.
It was thought that the Monte Casino Crosses could only be attributed to units and not to individuals but this isn't the case, some if not all can be traced to individuals.
There are lengthy and very informative threads on such insignia and awards on the War Relics forum, where Anthony Z and Gary J may be able to point you in the right direction re. attributing the Cross, also Rafael on this forum plus more on the Wehrmacht Awards forum.

The Cross may not necessarily match the name on the dog tag, about 15 years ago I discovered that a Cross I had with other medals and documentation didn't actually "belong" to man whose documentation it came with but to another man of the 5 KDP unit he was in who was killed at Bologna.
Perhaps an admin mistake, perhaps awards swapped between friends?
I only found that out because I posted mention of the group on a Polish Para forum and received an email from someone in Poland telling me which serial numbers the two men's Crosses had, unfortunately I never received any further communication from that person.
Thank you Leigh.
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  #5  
Old 12-09-18, 06:11 PM
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[QUOTE=Roy;453985]Hi Jack,

An amazing grouping, well done and thanks for sharing.

Cheerio,

Roy[/QUOT

Thank You Roy
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  #6  
Old 12-09-18, 07:09 PM
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This War Relics thread has a list of the batches of Monte Casino Cross numbers issued to units, and somebody has assisted with identification of individuals by Cross number.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/showth...26547&page=115

Also on the forum are details of other awards and insignia such as cap eagles, it may be possible to identify your cap eagles to a particular manufacturer or theatre of production.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polish...t-eagles-1980/

I would think that there will be details on the forum of the 2 Corps badges that you have (I bought one of the largest sized 2 Corps badges a few days ago (as I recall there were four sizes)).

Last edited by leigh kitchen; 12-09-18 at 07:26 PM.
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Old 12-09-18, 08:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leigh kitchen View Post
This War Relics thread has a list of the batches of Monte Casino Cross numbers issued to units, and somebody has assisted with identification of individuals by Cross number.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/showth...26547&page=115

Also on the forum are details of other awards and insignia such as cap eagles, it may be possible to identify your cap eagles to a particular manufacturer or theatre of production.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/polish...t-eagles-1980/

I would think that there will be details on the forum of the 2 Corps badges that you have (I bought one of the largest sized 2 Corps badges a few days ago (as I recall there were four sizes)).
Great help, did a quick search on War Relics. The batch which my number falls within were issued to the 5th Light Artillery Regt. Also referred to as the 5th Wilenski Light Artillery Rgt. This regiment being a part of the 5th Division. So far it lines up with the group.
Thanks
Jack
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Last edited by irish; 12-09-18 at 08:06 PM.
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  #8  
Old 13-09-18, 08:03 PM
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Some better photos of the metal badges and the maker marks.

5th Division Badge made by F. M. Lorioli Milano-Roma. As marked on reverse
spinner

2nd Corps Badge in numbered 04546. No makers name.

Exemplary Drivers Badge with yellow backing for 3rd class. Red and Blue
backings would indicate 1st and 2nd class respectively. This badge is also made by F.M. Lorioli

3 Cap Eagles. the 2 brass badges are a bit crude as opposed to the silvered badge in center made by Gaunt. The brass pieces may be theater made. I believe the 5th Kresowa spent some time in Iraq prior to Italy.






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  #9  
Old 13-09-18, 08:20 PM
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Lovely, it'd be great if you could get hold of the documentation too.
The War Relics site will have info. on the various eagles.
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Old 13-09-18, 09:37 PM
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Leigh, the cap eagle discussion on the War Relics site is quite amazing. Never had a clue that there were as many variations in style and manufacturers. A very devoted group of collectors also. My feeling at this point based on what I have seen thus far in the discussion is the brass pieces are likely Palestinian made. Need to study that a bit further. Another interesting item gotten from the discussion is the cloth cap eagle in the group I posted may also be Palestine made. This is based on the rough linen backing. Most all of the 5th Division patches have this same backing. Will post photos of this tomorrow.
Jack
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  #11  
Old 13-09-18, 09:57 PM
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I have a 5KDP group with cast brass eagle which I was told was a Middle East variety and a copper sheet one.
Yes, some of those guys are dedicated, very knowledgeable collectors with great interest in and respect for national and family history.
I think of the stories behind some of "my" groupings - men sent to camps in Siberia, maltreated, being worked to death and then given the chance to fight for the Russians or the west, traveling overland to the Middle East, placed in camps again but administered by the British, formed into military units.
The widow of one Polish Para whose medals, documents, photos I have told me how she was walking home from school one day when she was 14, a truck full of German soldiers pulled up, she was thrown on board, taken off to a camp, never saw her parents again.
There are some terrible stories behind these medals and badges.
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Old 14-09-18, 01:48 PM
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It has been suggested in a discussion on Polish cap eagles that the woven cap eagle with this type rough linen backing were made in Palestine. As you can see the divisional patch exhibits the same backing material.

It is my understanding that much of the Polish 2nd Corps moved from Palestine to Italy and thus becoming part of the British 8th Army.

thanks
Jack

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