Dorantt, Jan

Date of birth:: March 4th, 1899 (Zwierzyniec, Russian Empire)
Date of death:: August 31st, 1971 (Falkirk, United Kingdom)
Nationality:: Polish (1918-1939, IInd Republic)

Biography

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Podpulkownik (Lieutenant-colonel)
Unit:: HQ, Divisional Engineers, 1st Polish Armoured Division, Polish Armed Forces in the West

While Commander, Polish Engineers of the [1st Polish Armd] Division over particularly difficult ground in Belgium and Holland he performed his task so well that the Division was able to cover 470 km in 9 days, in spite of extensive demolitions and flooding by the Germans. Lt-Col Dorantt especially distinguished himself on 3 and 4 November during the forcing of the Mark Canal under heavy artillery and mortar fire, and the credit for the successful crossing is in no small measure due to the determined execution of his difficult task of bridging this obstacle. By his capable organisation and complete indifference to danger, by his personal bravery and presence whenever danger threatened most, he set a fine example to his men, who at that time had suffered heavy casualties and were nearing exhaustion.

Dated 28th June 1945