pre-WW2 Polish Cross of Valor (Krogulec 8) with two bars – Owczarski
October 10, 2019
WW2 Polish Miniature Pennant 3rd Silesian Lancers Regiment
October 17, 2019
WW2 Polish “Tobruk” Badge of Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade 1140 – KIA Recipient
Silver, Egypt/Palestine, 1942 49mm x 46mm
Polish breast badge of the Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade, the so-called “Tobruk” badge. Made circa 1942. Issue example, numbered on the reverse 1140, issued to corporal (kapral) Wacław Gawełek from the 2nd Field Carpathian Artillery Regiment. Born on the 29th of September 1910 in Warsaw. Mobilized info Polish Air Force on 31th August 1939. Killed in Action during the Italian Campaign on the 23rd of April 1945, buried in Bologna Polish Cementrary (23-A-5).
The badge is in the form of an eagle wearing a crown with spread wings, sitting on a pedestal with the inscription “Tobruk”, the initials SBSK (Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade), two British bayonets with blades up and a crescent at the very bottom.
Smooth reverse with a threaded post and an incorrect spinner nut (F.M Lorioli). Numbered “1140” and hallmarked “800” for 800 Silver standard.
This version of the badge was mentioned by Tony Leszczuk and Krzysztof Barbarski in the book “The Polish Army in the West 1939-47, Commemorative and Specialist Badges, 2020”, item 12a, page 9.
