Ludwikowski, Tadeusz

Date of birth:: September 12th, 1916 (Poland)
Date of death:: February 27th, 2008 (Orange County/California, United States)
Nationality:: Polish (1918-1939, IInd Republic)

Biography

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Porucznik (1st Lieutenant)
Unit:: 14th Wilenski Rifle Battalion "Zbikow", 5th Wilno Rifle Brigade, 5th Kresowa Rifle Division, Polish II Corps, Polish Armed Forces in the West
Awarded on:: June 1945

"From 16th to 19th April 1945, Lieutenant Ludwikowski by his gallantry and outstanding example contributed very materially to the defeat of the enemy.

On night 16th/17th April 1945, he led a daring assault and captured Poggio Piccolo and got a bridgehead on Canale di Medicina, taking some prisoners of war. On 17th April as commander of a pursuit group, he set the speed of the pursuit for the Battalion, captured Poggio and despite bombing of the column resulting in some casualties. He so inspired his men that the pursuit continued relentlessly, on 17th April in fighting for a crossing on the Gaiana, when the armour was unable to accompany the Infantry. He twice attempted to establish a bridgehead with his company, he was counter attacked and forced to withdraw, but held on for 11 hours under heavy enemy fire to the bank of the river.

On 19th April his company, despite heavy casualties was able to attack and establish a bridgehead on the Gaiana, he achieved this by his own example and conspicuous gallantry as well as by his skill of command".