COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS AND MEDALS BELONGING TO RIFLEMAN ERYK WIATOWSKI — 3rd Carpathian C.K.M. Battalion

This collection documents Eryk Wiatowski’s service in the Polish Armed Forces in the West and his postwar return to Silesia. The date he began his service, June 24, 1944, combined with the rifleman’s Silesian origins, suggests that during the occupation he was conscripted into the German army, was taken prisoner on the Western Front, and was subsequently incorporated into the 2nd Polish Corps. While serving in the Polish Armed Forces, he was awarded, among other honors, the Cross of Valor.
The set includes:
A photograph of Eryk Wiatowski in uniform, taken on June 10, 1944.
An ID card for the Commemorative Badge of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, issued on December 15, 1945, along with the badge made of alpaca. An original cap marked: “F. M. LORIOLI / MILANO ROMA.”
Certificate of eligibility for the Star for the War of 1939–1945 and the Star of Italy, issued on April 4, 1946, along with the Star of Italy.
A provisional certificate of the first award of the Cross of Valor, issued on November 15, 1946, and signed by Col. Miedwiecki, along with the Cross of Valor on its original ribbon.
A letter from the British Army Records Centre to Eryk Wiatowski dated November 1976, confirming his service in Polish units under British command.
A certificate from ZBoWiD regarding service in the Polish Armed Forces in the West from June 24, 1944, to May 9, 1945, issued on March 18, 1977.
Certificate from the repatriation office regarding arrival in Świętochłowice, dated April 27, 1947.
Certificate of residence from 1949.