New Britain herald., 1918-06-12
I EnclOS sure

AmerlCa have the opportunity to know what heroes the Polish Army has, I am giving briefly true incidents filled with dread and at the same
 time admiration at the bravery and
 sacrifice for the common Polish cause.
 Jan Olszewslzi, born IT -Czostochowa 29 years ago, came to France in 1914
 as an electro-technical engineer for
 further study. He entered the Polish
 Legion as a volunteer. Up to June
 IA, 1915 wounded several times he
 received hospital care, From the Pc
 ltsh Legion he was transferred to the
 French army, the 4th Regiment Of
 Zouaves, or the best regiment of France, and here, by his bravery and
 contempt of death, he awoke won
 der and admira ton towards himself and at the same time for his nation. Here he is always the first to volun- teer when it concerns the performing
 of the most difficult and the most dangerous tasks. Being transported With his regiment into Belgium he took part in the greatest battles. Nine times in one day he went into baYOnet attacks. Slightly wounded and GOV cred with blood he performed won ders in heroisn1. After each such at- tack his captain enn nbraced and kissed him, pointing him out as an example for all. They crossed the river Gizer, which was flooded with blood and German bodies. Tn a bayonet attack he broke his bayonet and not losing his cold-blooded presence of mind. he threw himself, bare handed at the nearest German. seized his rife and wounded him mortally and went on. for, as he and his comrades explained, they wanted to have as much room as possible.
 Tt was the worst" he says "at Eerdun, for hunger and misery hurt more than the firing and shells. Wa ter was drunk from the place where the dead bodies were lying. It was difficult to bring up supplies for each transport was wiped out; rations which were measured out for one meal were divided into four or five. Verdun, located in 8 most wonderful and charming spot, cannot be recog- nized Out of all its pride only ruins remain. Not one shrub Is left; from the conf1agrations, firing and flames. it was brighter at night than during the day. Parched, in the glare of the sun, with perspiration and blood, un- combed. the soldiers looked like de- mons. The battle was fought in the air. on the ground, under the ground: 1t seemed as if the earth was in the very center Of Hell: the thunder of artillery shook the earth, the scream of shells, the bursting of bombs and grenades and the moans of the wounded filled the m measure of horror and awfulness of the situation. Of those sent into battle by turns. for instance 80 men, barely a third re- turned.'
 Our hero was presented with g. cross Of war for digging out himself, a. captain, petty officer and 3 ser geant who were buried under three meters by a shell. He received an- other cross for blowing Up a listen ing sentry with a hand bomb. On February II, 1915, without being or dered to. he went alone into 9 Ger man trench, killed three Germans, captured a flag, and, wounded in the head and showered by shells, he threw the flag at the feet of his cap tain. In a certain locality a. shell burst just back of him nearly burning his whole uniform. but nothing hap pened to him and for this reason he was looked upon by his comrades as
 
 He always steps forward, the first, as 9 volunteer for special patrol work and he always returns unhurt and with results. for which he is re- warded with cross. On a certain day he went out alone on the battle- field and, in the presence of the enc my. took valuable papers off of the dead bodies of the Germans; for this he received the Palm. that is. he distinguished himself before the whole French army. On August 9th he went out alone in the evening to a. hidden German outpost and killed three of the sentinels and brought a fourth to his captain; he was distin- guished by star before the whole division.
 On September 24th. taking num- Der of hand grenades. he approached the German trenches at night by stealth and throwing the grenades in all directions and changing his voice, ! he terrified the Germas so that he alone. took fifteen of them prisoners: for this bravery he received medal 1 of the French Legion of Honor and 8 ! palm with all distinctions, while mu~ 1 sic was being played, from the hands 1 of General Archjnard the present 1 chief of the Polish Army. In the l of April 27, 1917, he was the man who threw himself against | the Imperial Ganard. Being wounded 1 Che does not admit it) but by sheer 1 of will and spirit, fought to 1 the finish after which he was taken 1 to a hospital almost unconscious.
 And so MT. Olszewski possesses | the Medal of the Legion of Honor, l the cross of war, six stars, two palms, 1 and card for his whistle represent | ing the honor and color of the legion. l
 Hearing of the formation of Pol 1 ish Army in France he was the first l