Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Porucznik (1st Lieutenant)

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1947

"This Polish officer volunteered to go to France at the end of 1943 to take over the nucleus of an organisation and to build it up into a powerful circuit capable of exfiltrating Allied airmen and British agents and delivering funds, wireless sets and stores. In spite of many difficulties and dangers due to the moribund condition of the organisation, Lieut. POPIEL succeeded so well in his mission that his organisation exfiltrated without loss all British and Allied airmen and agents entrusted to him. In addition, his circuit undertook successfully the delivery in Occupied France of wireless sets, stores and funds at a time when railway transport was disorganised through Allied bombing.

On one occasion in May 1944, Lieut. POPIEL was instructed to exfiltrate two important couriers who were in the hands of a circuit which was considered to have been penetrated by gestapo. Despite the risk involved in contacting this circuit and the difficulties of transporting the men down to the Spanish frontier under heavy Allied bombing, Lieut. POPIEL was successful in his task and two lives valuable to the Allied Cause were saved. On another occasion in June 1944, Lieut. POPIEL himself brought out an Allied airman from Orleans; the whole journey was made on bicycles as there were then no trains running to the south.

Throughout his mission, Lieut. POPIEL showed a quite remarkable devotion to duty and a total disregard of his personal safety. His courage and determination in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties were an inspiration to all the men under his command, and it is undoubtedly due to his hard work, despite ill health, and his spirit of self sacrifice that his organisation was so outstandingly successful. In recognition, therefore, of the valuable services rendered by this officer, it is recommended that he br appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Mil.) (Hon)".

Signed by Colin Gubbins, Major General 21st May 1945, and a Lieutenant General, Chief Administrative Officer 4th June 1945.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)