|
vBClassified Featured Listings | ||||||
|
|
The Researchers' Corner Research; the mysterious process which slowly sweeps away the passage of time to reveal the unique history within every award and unit. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-17-2009, 06:08 AM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Gdańsk, Poland
Age: 59
Posts: 381
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
As I mentioned earlier, we have a meeting with a former Polish soldier that fought in Gdansk. We had to postpone the meeting until next Saturday (January 24) since he has bronchitis(like me currently).
However, when my brother-in-law spoke with him on the phone the guy mentioned a "captain" that raised the flag. That is a possible good sign since our comrade Klishin was a captain.
__________________
"Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski Last edited by jefflgarrison; 01-23-2009 at 05:06 AM. |
Sponsored Links |
01-17-2009, 11:13 AM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Germany, Cologne
Posts: 626
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Quote:
best regards Andreas |
|
01-22-2009, 03:43 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Gdańsk, Poland
Age: 59
Posts: 381
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Photo of the flag flying over Dwor Artus. In the lower portion, you can see some of the soldiers involved in the fight.
Information about the second and third picture is that these are the Polish and Russian soldiers involved in raising the flag over Dwor Artus. UPDATE!!! I met with the directory of the "Historical Museum of Gdansk" today and was given the contact information for the sole surviving person credited with raising the flag over "Dwór Artus". His name is Zbigniew Michel and we will be setting up a meeting with him to discuss this event.
__________________
"Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski Last edited by jefflgarrison; 01-24-2009 at 10:14 AM. |
01-24-2009, 10:33 AM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Gdańsk, Poland
Age: 59
Posts: 381
|
The real hero of Gdansk
The picture attached is of Zbigniew Michel and his wife. Zbigniew, along with another man, is credited with scaling the ruins of the "Golden House" and crossed over to "Dwor Artusa" to remove the Nazi flag and replace it with the Polish national banner.
For this 19 year old commander of a Maxim machine gun crew, it was simply an order to carry out. However, while raising the flag, his fellow soldiers heard the command over the wireless from German battery on "Bishop's Hill" (the highest point in Gdansk) to target the "Dwor Artusa" because "there are Poles trying to raise their flag over that building." Having succeeded in raising the Polish national banner, Zbigniew and his fellow soldier quickly climbed down and withdrew along with the tank to safety several blocks from the city center under artillery fire both from "Bishop's Hill" and the Kreigsmarine in the Gdansk Bay. The next day, our Russian captain Klishin raised the Polish national banner over the government building (which later to became Zak). The first of the three previous photos shows the flag flying over Dwor Artusa. At the base of the flag pole are two little "blips". The blip closest to the flag pole is Zbigniew. This was a recreation done several days after fighting had ended. The second photo is Zbigniew's tank with the crew standing on it. The third photo is of a second tank used as a platform for the Russian officers that were there during the celebration. What is not seen is the several hundred Polish soldiers that were around the tanks singing and cheering. Zbigniew served for over 40 years in Polish Army. He has received several awards for his heroic deed but only Klishin received a medal. Photo 2: Award given to him for 60th anniversary of the event. Photo 3: Poster for the 50th anniversary of the event.
__________________
"Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski Last edited by jefflgarrison; 01-25-2009 at 03:11 PM. |
01-24-2009, 12:30 PM | #25 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York ,USA
Posts: 91
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Jeff:
Thank you for the veterans story and the color photo attached. |
01-24-2009, 01:33 PM | #26 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Krakow, Poland
Posts: 27
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Hej Jeff,
great research work, good to hear about this brave Polish fellow.:thumbsup BR Krzysztof |
01-24-2009, 05:42 PM | #27 |
Forum Founder
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Buffalo NY
Age: 58
Posts: 1,646
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Jeff, fantastic work. Thanks for sharing it here!
__________________
Visit the main site to the forum: The Soviet Military Awards Page Want to sell awards on the forum? Please read the FAQ Important Links: Forum announcements and rules | Image posting FAQ |
01-25-2009, 04:39 AM | #28 |
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Eurasia
Posts: 2,339
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Yes, great story and research!
|
01-25-2009, 06:25 AM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Gdańsk, Poland
Age: 59
Posts: 381
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Two follow-up comments:
The other "hero" of that day, Bronek, had a run-in with the Polish internal police ten years after the flag raising event. Unfortunately, they wound up killing him. The reason the Polish national banner was raised over Gdansk instead of the Russian flag was that Stalin wanted it to appear that Polish troops were "liberating" their city from German hands and not Russians gobbling up land. However, the city did not sustain so much damage during the actual fighting. According to Mr. Michel, who remained in Gdansk for the next few years, the city was stripped bare of all materials and that which could not be taken back to Russia was set on fire. Therefore, when it is stated that 90% of the city was destroyed, a sizeable portion of that was AFTER hostilities ceased. Mr. Michel is hoping to stay in good health so that next year he can be honored at the 65th anniversary event in Gdansk.
__________________
"Who will come to us with a sword - will be killed by a sword. Who will come to us with a feather - will be tickled by a feather!" - citation of Alexander Nevski Last edited by jefflgarrison; 01-25-2009 at 07:15 AM. |
01-25-2009, 12:40 PM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portland, USA
Posts: 234
|
Re: Order for action in Gdansk (Danzig)
Great posts, thanks for sharing the stories. While it's fresh in your mind write the whole thing up as an essay in a format that'll last. From getting the order and research, to the pics, to finding the man involved, the interviews, etc. You won't regret putting it all one place.
Again, thanks!
__________________
Steiner: "Why do you want it so badly? It's just a worthless piece of metal. Look." |
Bookmarks |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Awards Worn Into Action | ANZAC | General Talk Archive | 17 | 03-07-2007 11:45 AM |
WW1 WW2 Double Mag Pouch & (2) 1911 45 acp 7 round magazines & lanyard WWII
$54.94
German WW1 Stormtrooper Sturmtruppen Badge Medal
$22.99
US WW1 Helmet M1917 Doughboy Brodie Helmet Hand Aged
$89.99
Leather German Pickelhaube Helmet Prussian Helmet WW1 helmet Vintage Handmade
$70.00
World War 1 WW1 dog tags with custom stamping
$20.00
$35.00
WW1 era Barbed Wire . Barbed Wire from WW1 Trenches
$25.08
WW1 (1903) Original Tin Safety Fuze Empty
$50.18
US WW1 M1910 Cavalry Canteen Cover Khaki marked JT&L 1918
$26.99
RARE WW1 U.S. WARTIME ' UNCLE SAM ' c.1917 PHOTO POSTCARD RPPC
$59.00