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Bletek, Tadeusz

Service number:
A 04891
Nationality:
Polish

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Porucznik (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:
11th Company Engineers, Divisional Engineers, 1st Polish Armoured Division, Polish Armed Forces in the West
Awarded on:
June 28th, 1945
"On 26th April 1945, an assault crossing of the River Leda near Potshausen / Map reference 924103Q/ was launched by a company of the 10th Infantry Regiment. Under very heavy enemy Artillery and Mortar fire, the assault boats were manned by sapper personnel under the command of Lieutenant Bletek and the whole company was successfully transported across the river.

A Class 5 raft was then built and four carriers taken across the river, the fifth received a direct hit from an enemy mortar and the raft and carrier were sunk. Work was then started on the construction of a class 9 raft, but was nit completed owing to enemy mortar fire which destroyed one quarter of the material. A second class 5 raft was built still under enemy fire, this was completed successfully and the remainder of the Infantry company's equipment was transported across the river. Thus enabling the bridgehead to be held and expanded, this officer was on the river side commanding the engineer operations under enemy fire continuously for 8 hours without relaxation. Lieutenant Bletek by his own courage and determination during the whole of this period did much to encourage the sappers and ensure the ultimate success of the operation".
Military Cross (MC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1984
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1989
Krzyz Czynu Bojowego Polskich Sil Zbrojnych na Zachodzie
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1991
Krzyz Czynu Bojowego Polskich Sil Zbrojnych na Zachodzie
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
October 26th, 1993
Order Odrodzenia Polski Krzyż Kawalerski
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
2004
Herinneringsmedaille
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded as clasp on the ribbon of the first ribbon.
Krzyz Walecznych
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded as second clasp on the ribbon of the first ribbon.
Krzyz Walecznych
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
For action Küsten Canal 1945
Znak Pamiatkow 9 Batalion Strzelców Flandryjskich

Sources