Pre-WW2/WW2 Polish Group after Captain Marian Szendzielarz – 20th Lancer Regiment, 10th Hussar Regiment

A collection of memorabilia belonging to Captain Marian Szendzielarz, the brother of the famous Zygmunt Szendzielarz, alias “Łupaszko” (1910-1951), a hero of the Polish anti-communist underground, commander of the 5th Wilno Brigade of the Home Army, and one of the most well-known “Cursed Soldiers.”

The set includes:

• Pre-WW2 Polish Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari, Class V – Replica produced by Stanisław Owczarski from Warsaw
• Pre-WW2 Polish Pair of Polish Cavalry Officer Spurs, marked BM (White Metal)
• Pre-WW2 Polish Commemorative Cloth Pennant (approx. 30 cm long) of the 20th Lancer Regiment, named after Jan III Sobieski from Rzeszów
• Pre-WW2 Polish Miniature Silver Pennant of the 20th Lancer Regiment, approx. 22mm long, with a “900” silver hallmark on the reverse, attached to the spurs
• Pre-WW2/WW2 Polish Set of Decoration Ribbons: Independence Medal, Commemorative Medal for the War of 1918-1921, Medal of the Decade of Regained Independence, Bronze Medal for Long Service, Silver Medal for Long Service, Silver Cross of Merit, Army Medal
• WW2 Polish Rare Pair of Pennants of the 10th Hussar Regiment
• WW2 Polish Rare Eagle Badge of the 10th Hussar Regiment, with clipped wings, and a small hole in the center

The entire collection is framed (35 x 25.5 cm), with most items loosely mounted. It will be shipped with some items secured in the display and others packed separately for safety.

Marian Szendzielarz (1902-1964) was born on February 9, 1902, in Stryi, in the Stanisławów Voivodeship, the son of Karol and Eufrozyna Osiecka. From May 1, 1918, to October 31, 1918, he served in the 11th Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Polish Legions (Polnische Wehrmacht). On November 1, 1918, he voluntarily joined the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legions of the 1st Legion Division in Lwów. On January 15, 1919, he was assigned to the 108th Lancer Regiment, and in 1920, to the 3rd Mounted Rifle Regiment, where he participated in combat until 1921, earning the Silver Cross of the War Order Virtuti Militari (for capturing an armored train and attacking a Bolshevik outpost near Korostyń in 1920). He was discharged to the reserve as a platoon sergeant on March 15, 1921, to continue his education.

From 1921 to 1925, he worked as a clerk in the Temporary Department of Local Government in Lwów. On September 1, 1925, he was enlisted in the Officer School for Non-Commissioned Officers in Bydgoszcz and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on August 15, 1927, assigned to the 20th Lancer Regiment, where he served until 1939. From 1927 to 1929, he was a platoon commander. After being promoted to lieutenant on August 15, 1929, he became a squadron commander, and on March 19, 1937, he was promoted to captain and took on the role of squadron commander. During his service with the 20th Lancer Regiment, he also served as the regiment’s mobilization officer and quartermaster.

After the outbreak of World War II, he fought with his regiment (Warsaw) and was captured by the Germans. He was interned in Oflag VIIA Murnau. After being released from captivity in 1945, he was assigned to the Polish II Corps in Italy. From August 15, 1945, to March 15, 1946, he attended an Armored Weapons Course in Egypt (Abbasia). From July 15, 1946, he was in England, assigned to the 10th Hussar Regiment. He returned to Poland on August 4, 1947.

Upon his return, he was surveilled as a suspected officer of the VI Department of the Chief of Staff and as the brother of Major Zygmunt Szendzielarz “Łupaszko,” including as part of the case codenamed “UTOPIA” and was monitored by the UB (secret police) informant codenamed “Olsza” and investigated as “Łupaszko’s” brother by the UB informant codenamed “Barbara.” He died on October 15, 1964, in Szczecin and was buried in Plot 21A, Row 12, Grave No. 6 at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin, at 124A Ku Słońcu Street.

He was awarded the following: Virtuti Militari (No. 5094), Independence Medal, Silver Cross of Merit, Medal of the Decade of Regained Independence, Commemorative Medal for the War of 1918-1921, Bronze Medal for Long Service.