I picked up a small grouping of Polish airborne photo's, I wondered if anyone could shed some light on this photo for me please, it appears the ambulance has a polish airborne insignia painted on the front fender, I wondered the location.if anyone had an idea, Arnhem area?
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Last edited by grndevil44; 08-22-2015, 07:14 PM. -
inside and a shot from an aircraft factory? -
seems the owner was also a member of the airborne bandComment
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and this one with name on the back, anyone help with a proper spelling, greatly appreciatedComment
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a couple more from the groupComment
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It's going to be very hard to find out the exact location but i'm a 100% sure the first photo was taken somewhere in the Netherlands. You find this type of buildings a lot in the Netherlands.Comment
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Originally posted by Laurens Van D. View Post
my thoughts Netherlands too, I couldn't find reference to Polish organized ambulances, I mislaid my notepad with the Airborne medics details during Arnhem
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The first photo was taken outside the "Jounger school" in Driel. This was used as the medical station by the Polish Airborne during "Market-Garden".
The 2nd photo is inside the "Jounger School" after the Germans shelled it, bringing down the rafters of the roof inside. (This roof was used for minor operations in the aid station). Also note the stretcher on the floor.
The Photo with the German aircraft maybe "Ravenstein" airfield, which was one of the places used by the Poles when they were pulled out of Market-Garden before being sent back to England.
.. The other "field" photo's would also tie in with the movement from Driel to Ravenstein ...
And the portrait photo was taken in St.Andrews in Scotland.
I believe these photo's belonged to a member of the Polish Airborne medical company, ... as quite a few members also played in the band also shown in one of the photo's.
Hope this was of some help ...Last edited by Gary Jucha; 08-23-2015, 11:35 PM.Comment
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Gary, I can't thank you enough,, I really appreciate your help, anything you can recommend reading about the Polish here
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Medics who were band members. Or viuce versa. A fine old British military tradition! Thanks for the info. and IDs. Fascinating stuff.Comment
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The first photo is possibly "Ravenstein" again, ...
And the 2nd photo is quite later .... into 1945, or possibly up till may 47 when the Brigade were acting as BAOR troops in Germany.
Books ..
Best one would be "Poles Apart" .. (The Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem) ...... G.F.Cholewczynski ... sapeden press 1993Comment
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To try to clarify, for the last 30 years or so they were trained musicians who formed part of their regiment as the regimental band, and are given rudimentary medical training. In wartime however they are attached to RAMC units for use as stretcher bearers/CBRN decontaminators. Infantry medics are something different ie fully trained infantry soldiers with an add qual of medic, whereas RAMC medics have more in depth medical training.Originally posted by peter monahan View Post
Great pics BTW, esp the RAP.Comment
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Any idea how they managed to airlift those ambulances? With Hamilcar gliders perhaps?
LucComment
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Very nice photos!
Gary wrote almost everything :-)
Soldiers from the band (Medical Coy) came from Anders Army to 1st Para Bde.
Because of those skills the whole group was incorporated to the Polish Brigade's Medics.
Medical vehicles were delivered by ships as a part of sea tail no 1. They joined in the end of fights at Driel.
Portrait photo has dedication on back with the name of soldier STEFAN STRZELECKI who got this photo as a gift. Probably he was not a parachutist.
I hope it will be usefull.
Greetings
Rafal
Originally posted by lnijherald View PostComment
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