Poland, Republic. A 2nd Warsaw Armoured Brigade Group, RZ.KA.T. STELMACH

Offered are the insignia and personal items of Stanislaw Stelmach, who saw service with the 2nd Warsaw Armoured Brigade of Free Polish Forces. Joining the 2nd Polish Corps in Italy, the 2nd Warsaw fought fiercely across the Adriatic front and heavily participated in Operation Olive (breaking through the Gothic Line) as well as the Battle of Predappio in late 1944. In April 1945, the brigade spearheaded operations on the eastern flank during the Battle of Bologna. They smashed through German paratrooper defenses, crossing the Sillaro, Ganiana, and Quaderna rivers, and entered the city of Bologna on April 21, 1945. Included in Stanislaw's items are the following:

1. British Issue ID Discs (A.P. 1923 704-/// RZ.KA.T. STELMACH STANISLAW), on original cord with two religious tokens;

2. Badge of the 2nd Warsaw Armoured Brigade, in cast aluminum, with screw back, 44.80 mm (h) x 41.52 mm (w), 

3. Two Sets of POLAND shoulder flashes, bullion on felt and stitching on cotton;

4. Two 2nd Warsaw Armoured Brigade Patches, one in print and one in bullion;

5. Three British 8th Army Insignia, three different variants, two cotton on felt and one bullion;

6. Polish II Corps insignia;

7. Poland Cap Badge, in stamped silvered brass, marked F.M.LORIOLI MILANO-ROMA, 52.58 MM (h) X 31.50 MM (w); 

8. Ribbon bar with bakalite ribbon pin;

9. Five personal items including watch, religious tokens;

Overall, a fine original collection from Stelmach, very fine. 

He became a gunner in a thinly armoured personnel carrier, open to the sky. ... Stanislaw Stelmach was born 27th October 1923 in Morawianki Poland