When looking at the Polish medals for the Second World War, we can see four different periods. Before the Second World War, until the German occupation, we have the Second Polish Republic. During the Second World War the Poles had their forces partly in the West and partly in the Soviet Union. The Polish Government in exile in London decided which decorations were awarded. From 1944 we however get the People’s Republic of Poland, that began instituting its own decorations. Finally since the collapse of the Soviet Union we have a new Polish Republic from 1990 on.
People’s Republic of Poland.
After the liberation of Poland by Soviet Force and Polish Communist forces, a Communist Government was instituted. Al decorations that could be traced back to the war of freedom in 1918-1921 were erased from the decorative system. Others were re-instituted and new ones, copied from the Soviet system were instituted.
Order of Precedence of the People’s Republic of Poland
A. Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
1. Order of the Builders of the People's Republic of Poland
2. Order of Polonia Restituta I class
3. Order of the Cross of Grunwald I class
4. Order of the Red Banner of Labour I class
5. Order of Polonia Restituta II class
6. Order of Virtuti Militari II class
7. Order of the Cross of Grunwald II class
8. Order of the Red Banner of Labour II class
9. Order of Polonia Restituta III class
10. Order of the Cross of Grunwald III class
11. Order of Virtuti Militari III class
12. Order of Polonia Restituta IV class
13. Order of Virtuti Militari IV class
14. Order of Polonia Restituta V class
15. Order of Virtuti Militari V class
16. Gold Cross of Merit
17. Cross of Valour
18. Gold Medal of Merit on the Field of Glory
19. Partisan Cross
20. Auschwitz Cross
21. Medal for Volunteers of the Spanish Brigade
22. Participation in the War of Defense Medal
23. Armed Struggle Restoration of Poland
24. Silesian Fighter's Cross
25. Wielkopolski Uprising Cross
26. Warsaw Uprising Cross
27. Silver Cross of Merit
28. Silver Medal of Merit on the Field of Glory
29. Bronze Cross of Merit
30. Bronze Medal of Merit on the Field of Glory
31. 30 years of the People's Republic of Poland
32. 40 years of the People's Republic of Poland
33. Warsaw Medal
34. Odra Nyse Baltyk Medal
35. Victory Medal
36. Rodlo Medal
37. Medal for Courage and Sacrifice
38. 20 years of Army service
39. 10 years of Army service
40. 5 years of Army service
41. 10 years of the People's Republic of Poland
42. Many years of Married Life
43. Medal for the Capture of Berlin
44. Gold Medal for Merit in Defense of the Country
45. Silver Medal for Merit in Defense of the Country
46. Bronze Medal for Merit in Defense of the Country