Lieutenant-Colonel Karol Complak
1st Podhale Rifles Battalion

Without Lieutenant Colonel Complak’s presence, this attack on very heavily defended enemy’s position, would have been very costly, both in men and time lost. Throughout the fighting in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, Lieutenant Colonel Complak has shown great coolness and personal bravery and been an example of true Soldier’s bravery on the Battlefield.”

(D.S.O. citation, 28 June 1945)

Born on 20 November 1899, Karol Józef Complak was a veteran of the First World War, having served in the Polish Legions while attached to the Austrian Army. By November 1918, he joined the newly created Polish Army and participated in the Polish–Ukrainian War then the Polish-Soviet War. A major by the outbreak of the Second World War, he escaped into Romania then made his way to France.

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