February 25, 20251 yr #1 My father in law had it tougher than all state side. His war started early. He lived in Poland with his family until 13 y.o. He was taken forced to work in a German manufacturing plant. He looked a soldier in the eye once. He received the buttplate of a K98k in the face. He was rescued by American forces. He made his way to England & trained to be a Commando. As a commando his group performed many missions. He was at (or his camera was) MonteCassino pre, & post bombingc can only assume his group was charged with 'mop up' after the bombing. I've got fair amount of pics if anyone would like to see them I'll post compressed pics.
February 26, 20251 yr #2 Please post pictures. When was he liberated by Americans? We crossed the Rhine in spring of 1945.
February 27, 20251 yr Author #3 No problem will as soon as I figure out how to add pics. To a post Father in Laws war
February 27, 20251 yr #4 2nd Lt. Bachleda-Curuś of the 1st Polish Independent Commando Company on his BSA motorcycle with the company dog Myszka (Mouse)
February 27, 20251 yr Author #5 My wife kept saying "he went to Poland & fought with the resistance. I do know he was captured & forced to work by Germans, was freed then fought as a Commando. His Commando. I do recall my wife said he fought in the Italian theater. Regarding timeline I've not been able to nail that down. Germans sent ppl all over & used as forced labor. US troops landed in Italy in '43 & Africa late '42. I cannot reconcile his location in proximity in time & location to Americans freeing him. Unfortunately he died several years ago Appreciate any and all input!
February 27, 20251 yr #6 Very impressive history of you family. There are some members on the War Relics Forum that specialize in researching Polish Soldiers. You may want to consider reaching out and joining the forum and reaching out to some of those folks there. Leigh
February 28, 20251 yr #7 Are the photos you posted loose or in an album? Did he mark names or dates on the back?
March 1, 20251 yr Author #8 Hi, all the photos were placed in an album. I pulled out the photos I thought would interest members. I didn't notice any writing on the back, he did mark the front of of photos. There are many photos of commando training (98% washout). I find the before & after pics of the De Cassino (sp?) Should provide a reference point. There is a pic of him on a motorcycle with the company dog. I find him to have been an amazing man. 5'7" slight build passes commando training & was part of many successful assignments.
March 2, 20251 yr #11 4 hours ago, War in Pacific said: Sorry, that link took me to 404 error https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/Polish/ or try this one https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/ then search "Polish".
March 14, 20251 yr Author #12 Thank you for the links. My wife will love it. She swears thats her dad on the motorcycle (y'all can hash that out. - lol). I have additional pics showing commando training, marching, etc. Wasn't sure which photos ppl would like to see.
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