WW2 Polish Paratroopers Group – Independent Parachute Brigade – Market Garden

Group after a Polish paratrooper from the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade of General Sosabowski, Corporal Jan Kura, 2nd Parachute Battalion. He took part in the Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem. He jumped on September 21, 1944 at Driel. Decorated with a Parachute Wing with a Combat wreath number 1443/369. Injured while crossing the Rhine on the night of September 25/26, 1944.

The group includes:

• Booklet of the Polish Army in France (1940)
• Soldiers Pay Book from 1945/46
• Photograph of the Soldiers of the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade in occupied Germany, 1945
• 1939-1945 Star with Legitimation Card
• Defense Medal  with Legitimation Card

Kura Jan (born on June 19, 1921 in Moszczenica – died on August 19, 1980 in Jastrzębie-Zdrój-Moszczenica)

In the years 1932-1939 he was active in the Polish Scouting movement, before the war he was preparing to become a baker. After the Defensive War of 1939, he broke through to Hungary, where he stayed in prisoner of war camps in Budapest, Zahony and Barcs. After receiving a passport in 1940 via Italy and Yugoslavia, he made his way to France. There he joined the forming Polish Army. After two months at the NCO School in Coëtquidan, he fought at the front during the German invasion of France. After the capitulation of France, he found himself in Scotland in Biggar, where the formation of the 1st Rifle Brigade began. Assigned to the 2nd battalion. The brigade was directed to the area of ​​Loch Lomond to protect the coast. In the fall of 1941, he joined the newly formed 1st Independent Parachute Brigade commanded by Stanisław Sosabowski. On 21st September 1944, he was dropped as part of Operation Market Garden in Driel. Injured while crossing the Rhine, he was flown to Great Britain, where he recovered for several months. In May 1945 he found himself in Germany with the Independent Parachute Brigade there. After demobilization, he was sent to the Netherlands, where he lived and took up gainful employment. In 1948 he returned to Poland where he was an active member of the local community.

Jan Kura was awarded the Polish Gold Cross of Merit, Polish Army Medal, the Polish Wound Badge, the British Medal of Defense, the Star 1939-45 Star, The France & Germany Star and the French Combatant Cross.