I have always had and interest in this subject but rarely come across any of it. I love the early photos of the Polish paratrooper in Scotland wearing the 1st model British paratrooper helmets with the Polish eagle stenciled to the front. Here is one such photo of Clement Attlee inspecting the Polish paratroopers at Cupar, Scotland. Of course Gen. Stanislaw Sosabowski is on the right.

Here is an 8 x 10 original photo of a man wearing the helmet. Have never seen another studio portrait of this in wear.

I was fortunate to recently obtain this piece. A friend of mine in Europe owned it for over 30 years and recently decided to down size.

 

Battle Dress belonging to Lance Cpl. Marian Krzyskow (3rd Bn.) He made the 9.23.1944 jump at Grave (Arnhem). Plane number 79.

 

 

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Textbook Kirkwood badge with GT spinner

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Very Nice. That is an outstanding piece of history from WWII. Thanks for sharing.

I also find the Polish Paras a fascinating subject. Outstanding battle dress. Thank you for sharing.

Eric,

 

What an amazing tunic. My thesis was on the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and know the role this unit was SUPPOSED to play in it- before Churchill prevented their utilization. This item is beyond rare and significant. Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

I was lucky enough to find a lot of German items and only now have my first Home Army items arriving next week.

 

Do you have any other Polish items?

 

Paul

Amazing blouse, Eric. It seems common to see the paper economy ribbons on Polish tunics, no? On the other hand, having an identified example seems quite rare!

 

Rob

Eric,

 

THis is a grail item for me. I am thrilled that you are the caretaker. What a fantastic piece of history!

 

Allan

What an amazing piece Eric! These guys endured a ton of issues but, still fought on with honor!

Thanks for all the kind comments, I appreciate it. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to obtain this piece. My friend also has a Polish jump helmet (44 dated British helmet with painted Polish eagle) which he has had for a number of decades. I considered that as well but it is not attributed and just too far outside my comfort zone.

 

Allan, you will probably appreciate these original portraits. 1st Sgt. J. Verberckmoes (B Troop, 5th [belgian] SAS) He has some interesting things going on. In the first photo he wears the Belgian flag above the British jump wings. And what could that be above his left pocket?

 

That's right. Verberkmoes was one of four Belgians to qualify for the Polish jump wing. He also wears the BELGIUM tab and the pre "Who Dares Wins" Belgian lion on the SAS beret.

Here is what the lion looks like. This one is attributed to a Belgian SAS member

Eric,

 

I apologize for not responding earlier, but as I was looking at the photos of your Belgian SAS operative, I began to drool which landed on the keyboard and shorted out the laptop.

 

I am VERY grateful for your willingness to share these photos and the artifacts from your collection. WOW!!!

 

Allan

Hey Eric !! Beautiful and rare tunic to a gallant Pole. My father served with the Polish 2 Corp during WWII and participated in the entire Italian campaign at places like Monte Cassin, Ancona and Bologna. My ties to the Polish Exile forces run very deep and I've been collecting for the better part of 30 years....although I've been fairly dormant the past several. Wonderful to see such history preserved !!! Cheers !!!

Eric,

 

WOW doesn't do that BD justice! What a great historical item. Thanks for posting.

 

Paul

Oh WOW OH WOW

 

Eric that jacket is quite possiblibly the best ive seen

Beautiful uniform, I can't say I've ever seen one in detail.