POLISH POLAND WWII 1936 SPANISH WAR GEN WALTER MEDAL COMMUNIST period

Description: This medal has been issued to commemorate 90 anniversary of birthday and 40 anniversary of death Gen. Karol Swierczewski “Walter” – commander during 1936 Spanish war. diameter – 70 mm weight – about 130gr. (about 4.60 oz.) metal – bronze metal Karol Świerczewski grew up in a poor working class family. At age 12 he went to work at a factory in Warsaw until 1915 when, during the First World War, he was evacuated to Moscow. In 1918 he joined the Bolshevik Party, fought in the Russian Civil War as a soldier of the Red Army. During the Polish-Soviet War he fought on the Soviet side and was wounded. In 1928 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Red Army he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner no. 146, his first military award.From 1921 Świerczewski taught in the Soviet School of Red Communars. In 1927 he graduated from Frunze Military Academy in Moscow and worked in the Red Army General Staff.In 1936, under the name General Walter, he went to Spain where he led the XIV International Brigade, and later the 35th International Division, during the Spanish Civil War.Following the outbreak of the Second World War Świerczewski served as a general of the Soviet Army. His commanders, seeing Świerczewski's complete incompetence and deepening alcoholism, moved him to command only reserves. This decision was made by General Georgi Zhukov.[1] The fact that Świerczewski gave most of his orders under influence of alcohol, which had tragic consequences for his soldiers, was described in Zygmunt Berling's book Wspomnienia (Memories). In 1943 became one of the generals charged with the creation of the Soviet-controlled Polish Armed Forces in the East, the 1st Polish Army. His constant alcoholism and related disregard for life and health of his soldiers stirred conflicts with Zygmunt Berling. Also for this reason he has been removed from the command on several occasions. Świerczewski's alcoholism-related orders gained criticism from other Polish generals as well, including Gen. Aleksander Waszkiewicz.[2]In 1944 he became one of the leaders of the Polish Workers' Party and the government of People's Republic of Poland. In the winter of 1944 and the spring of 1945 he led the Polish Second Army during the fighting for western Poland and the Battle of Berlin. His leadership in the Battle of Bautzen (Budziszyn) has been severely criticized by modern historians, and he is held responsible for the Second Army incurring very heavy casualties in that engagement.[3] While commanding, he might have been drunk, and was temporarily relieved of his command.[3][4] However, due to important backed in the Soviet structures (likely, NKVD) he not only retained his command, but all controversies were hushed up, and after the war he was gloried as a hero. In February 1946 Świerczewski became the Deputy Defence Minister of Poland. He was involved in the persecution of the independence movement in Poland, and signed many death sentences, while establishing a communist regime in Poland. CHECK MY OVER 5000 POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE. WHAT YOU-SEE-IS-WHAT YOU GET PLEASE SEE ALSO POLISH ITEMS LISTED AT MY EBAY STORE ALL WINNING BIDS TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 3 DAYS. PAYMENT TO BE RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE END OF AUCTION. Please INCLUDE $ 9 for s&h to USA and Europe (REGISTERED parcel, insurance $50) COMBINED SHIPPING is strongly supported and calculated based on the actual weight of all items together with the shipping materials. IF BIDDING ON MORE THAN ONE ITEM, PLEASE WAIT FOR INVOICE SHOWING COMBINED POSTAGE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, NEED MORE SCANS ETC….PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO ME. ALL QUESTIONS ARE TO BE ASKED DURING THE AUCTION. Thanks and happy bidding. I GIVE FEEDBACK TO ALL THAT GIVE FEEDBACK TO ME.

Price: 29 USD

Location: Koniusza

End Time: 2024-12-24T19:26:10.000Z

Shipping Cost: 9 USD