I am trying to fill in some gaps in my uncles service records in the NW Europe campaign with the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He was Korporal Jozef Pawlica and he served with the 11th Engineers Company. I am grinding through the translation of his records from RAF Northolt and they record his speciality as being a compressor engineer - this got me thinking.... Can anyone give me an overview of what the sappers roles would have been during this part of the campaign - I'm sure that bridge building would have featured heavily to allow the pursuit of the Germans up though France, Belgium and Holland. Where do the compressors come in? Also, what soft skin vehicles would the Polish Engineers have used? They were attached to the Canadians so did they use Canadian vehicles or British ones ? - I'd give my eye teeth for any contemporary photos of the vehicles! Thanks in advance!
1 Polish Armoured Division was attached to the Canadian Army, as were many British formations, but were not a part of the Canadian Army and were not equipped by it. Vehicles and equipment were from British sources. Just to complicate matters the British Army did purchase quantities of Canadian vehicles but I do not think the Poles received any. The compressor truck was a Morris 15cwt carrying a compressor and pneumatic tools. Most common were drills but there were also saws etc. Divisional engineers were concerned mainly with keeping the armoured units moving by clearing roads of mines and obstacles, repairing craters and building small Bailey Bridges. Mike
Thanks both , every little piece of information helps to build up the picture of his service. I guess being an engineer could get pretty hot from time to time if the were clearing the way in front of the armour! By coincidence, one of the members of our military vehicle club has a Morris Compressor truck - I'll make sure I get a really good look at it next time I see it Thanks again!
Have you contacted the Polish Institute and Museum in Sikorksky House in Kensington, they hold a wealth of information on the Polish Forces in World War Two? They were very helpful when I contacted them a few years ago when I was seeking information on the 1st Polish Armoured Division in the immediate Post War period.
