WW2 Polish 1st Armoured Division Patch – Warsaw Uprising Veteran Jerzy Jeżewski

Rectangular recognition patch made of black cloth. At its center, an orange circular disc bordered with a black edge features a hussar’s helmet and wings, meticulously embroidered in silver bullion thread. This insignia was worn on the left sleeve of the uniform as the recognition emblem of the 1st Armoured Division under General Stanisław Maczek, referred to by British soldiers as the “Squirrel.” The example likely dates from the early post-war years and has a veteran provenance.

The patch is part of the memorabilia collection of Warsaw Uprising veteran Jerzy Jeżewski, codenamed “Zygmunt” and “Jur” (born June 20, 1920, in Warsaw; died July 9, 2009). He served as a corporal with the Armia Krajowa, assigned to the VI District (Praga), 1st Sector – Platoon 617. During the Warsaw Uprising, he fought in the Praga district until August 13, 1944, when he was captured by German forces. Following the uprising, he left Warsaw with the civilian population, was interned in a camp near Hamburg, and liberated in April 1945 by American forces. Subsequently, he served with the 1st Armoured Division.