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".

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)