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Soltys, Henryk

Service number:
18043
Nationality:
Polish

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
October 15th, 1945
Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari - Krzyz Srebrny
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 25th, 1945
1939-1945 Star
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
November 25th, 1945
France and Germany Star
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant)
Awarded on:
December 30th, 1949
Krzyz Walecznych
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Podporucznik (2nd Lieutenant)
Unit:
1st Polish Armoured Regiment, 10th Polish Armoured Cavalry Brigade, 1st Polish Armoured Division, Polish Armed Forces in the West
"On 29 Oct 44 while commanding the Recce party when entering BREDA, 2/Lt SOLTYS tank got a direct hit from 88 mm gun. His driver was killed and the wireless operator seriously wounded, but he continued to fire from the upper M.G. to enable the rest of the crew to leave the burning tank. Being all the time under fire, his tank got another hit, this time from bazooka but he did not leave the burning tank until he had helped out the last member of the crew.

Throughout the campaign 2/Lt SOLTYS has been outstanding, displaying great personal courage, and he is always the first to volunteer for particularly dangerous tasks.

The fact that he has had six tanks destroyed under fire has in no way affected his enthusiasm and he has on all occasions been an inspiring example to his men."

- 28 June 1945
Military Cross (MC)

Sources

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