Deutschland, Germany: The Historical Museum, preserving the memories of World War 2 called The Arnhem Boys, marked the 100th birth anniversary of Private Karol Standarski. He was born in a Polish Coal Miner Family in Pas de Calais, France, and a French Citizen.
He is from the Anti Tank Battery of the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade group. The Arnhem Boys Museum recognised his contributions as a French Soldier in the 8 Regiment de Cuirassiers de Lyon in January 1942.
Karol Standarski moved to 1 Regiment de Chasseurs d’Afrique in Rabat, Maroc, and finally, in May 1943, qualified as a paratrooper in 1 Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes in Fez, Maroc.
In October 1943, he volunteered in the Polish Army and became a soldier of the Polish Parachute Brigade, earning his Para badge no 4243. On September 21, he was dropped in Driel from Dakota chalk no 106.
For his action on the 22nd during the defence of Driel against German attack, he earned his Cross of Valour.
Here’s the citation for the Cross:
During the action in the Driel area on September 22, 1944, lying in his foxhole, he allowed an enemy armoured vehicle over a distance of 3 meters. When a soldier of the enemy leaned out of the turret, private Standarski opened fire with his gun, killing him.
The enemy crew, locked in the armoured car, withdrew. Due to this deed, private Standarski prevented the penetration of enemy reconnaissance elements into a grouping of his troops.
In the course of further action, private Standarski went missing on the night of withdrawal. In May 1945, his body was found and identified.”
On the night of the 23rd/24th of September, he crossed the Rhine during the second crossing.
He took positions with other soldiers from AT Battery, which fought as infantry in the Valkenburg area, where he was shot on the night of the 25th/26th of September. Today, he is buried in Oosterbeek, grave 27.A.4.
