08-31-2012, 02:48 PM
Here's a nice example as to what could the 5th class be awarded for. It comes from the ZBoWiD (veteran association) award werification letter of the AK officer Antoni Zacierka "Kruk". Even tough some of the stories sound like fantasy, I believe they are true. After all, not only his wartime commanders believed him, but also ZBoWiD members in the 1970's...
The translation:
"From the additional list of the AK subdistrict "Białowieża" handed to the AK commandant in january 1945. Cit.[izen] Zacierka Antoni [pseudonym] "Kruk" (Raven) - participant of the September Campaign in the ranks of the 18th Infantry Division, fought in the region of Ostrów Mazowiecka, Wizna and Łętowica. He was seriously wounded twice. He escaped from the German POW camp and immediately joined the conspiracy. He was active in the resistance movement in the SZP, ZWZ and AK (generally this are the names used by the same organisation in various periods) on the territory of the AK district "Sęp"-"Stefa" /Sokołów Podlaski/. First as an organiser of the center "Lis"-"Stefa" /Sterdyń/ and communications between the remaining centers of the "Proso" district. Since 1944 he was an aide de camps of the Commandant of the "Proso" district. He graduated from the undrground cadet school in 1942 with the rank of lieutenant of AK. He was one of the first and most active soldiers of the "Proso" district. He led, directed and exceptionally distinguished himself in the following actions:
- In 1942 he broke through the german troops surrounding the Sterdyń Forest, secured combat equipment and materials left by disbanded group of the "KN" (not sure what that is), hid the traces of the withdrawing groups and helped in the evacuation. The saved documents he personly handed to the Command of the "Wschód" subdistrict.
-In may 1943 he disarmed the guards and personaly freed from jail of the Sterdyń regional admninistration 12 partisans arrested by Germans.
-In september 1943, when the buildings of the Sterdyń local administration were surrounded by the Gestapo in order to arrest AK members according to the list - including cit. Zacierka, He broke through the german lines under a machiinegun fire saving the documents of the "Proso" district HQ in his custody, thus preventing the others from the further repressions.
-In may 1944 leading a saboteur team he was surrounded in the Sterdyń Park by German troops. Thanks to his clear-mindness and courage he broke through with his team without losses, killing and wounding a few Germans.
-In august 1944, while controlling organisation, localisation and preparations for the "Burza" oeration [Operation "Storm" - an operation to gain controll over the regions to be soon liberated by the Red Army and welcome the soviets as hosts. Millitary anti-nazi, politically anti-Soviet] on the "Ryś" territory /Repki/ on the order of the district commandant, he fought a two-person (which seems to mean that there was he and one other soldier on his side) heavy and uneven fight against the Germans, in which, thanks to his exceptional bravery and courage he managed to leave alive taking two Germans prisoners and wounding few others.He gave examples of courage in many saboteur actions of the district, being an example for the partisans. The citation for the silver cross of the Virtuti Militari 5th class was made in august 1944. The command of the "Białowieża" subdistrict sent it to the main commander of the AK in january 1945. The commandant has approved the motion."
The translation:
"From the additional list of the AK subdistrict "Białowieża" handed to the AK commandant in january 1945. Cit.[izen] Zacierka Antoni [pseudonym] "Kruk" (Raven) - participant of the September Campaign in the ranks of the 18th Infantry Division, fought in the region of Ostrów Mazowiecka, Wizna and Łętowica. He was seriously wounded twice. He escaped from the German POW camp and immediately joined the conspiracy. He was active in the resistance movement in the SZP, ZWZ and AK (generally this are the names used by the same organisation in various periods) on the territory of the AK district "Sęp"-"Stefa" /Sokołów Podlaski/. First as an organiser of the center "Lis"-"Stefa" /Sterdyń/ and communications between the remaining centers of the "Proso" district. Since 1944 he was an aide de camps of the Commandant of the "Proso" district. He graduated from the undrground cadet school in 1942 with the rank of lieutenant of AK. He was one of the first and most active soldiers of the "Proso" district. He led, directed and exceptionally distinguished himself in the following actions:
- In 1942 he broke through the german troops surrounding the Sterdyń Forest, secured combat equipment and materials left by disbanded group of the "KN" (not sure what that is), hid the traces of the withdrawing groups and helped in the evacuation. The saved documents he personly handed to the Command of the "Wschód" subdistrict.
-In may 1943 he disarmed the guards and personaly freed from jail of the Sterdyń regional admninistration 12 partisans arrested by Germans.
-In september 1943, when the buildings of the Sterdyń local administration were surrounded by the Gestapo in order to arrest AK members according to the list - including cit. Zacierka, He broke through the german lines under a machiinegun fire saving the documents of the "Proso" district HQ in his custody, thus preventing the others from the further repressions.
-In may 1944 leading a saboteur team he was surrounded in the Sterdyń Park by German troops. Thanks to his clear-mindness and courage he broke through with his team without losses, killing and wounding a few Germans.
-In august 1944, while controlling organisation, localisation and preparations for the "Burza" oeration [Operation "Storm" - an operation to gain controll over the regions to be soon liberated by the Red Army and welcome the soviets as hosts. Millitary anti-nazi, politically anti-Soviet] on the "Ryś" territory /Repki/ on the order of the district commandant, he fought a two-person (which seems to mean that there was he and one other soldier on his side) heavy and uneven fight against the Germans, in which, thanks to his exceptional bravery and courage he managed to leave alive taking two Germans prisoners and wounding few others.He gave examples of courage in many saboteur actions of the district, being an example for the partisans. The citation for the silver cross of the Virtuti Militari 5th class was made in august 1944. The command of the "Białowieża" subdistrict sent it to the main commander of the AK in january 1945. The commandant has approved the motion."
