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Poland (1918-1939, IInd Republic)

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.

The Second Polish Republic.
After the First World War, a new Polish Republic emerged. The Poles received their independence on November 11th 1918. The young republic immediately found itself in war with the Ukrainian National Army for the city of Lwow. After conquering the city, the Poles got into another war, this time with the Bolsheviks of the new Soviet state. Finally the Poles succeeded in winning a final battle for the city of Warsaw. This resulted in a peace treaty with the Soviet Union in 1921. Many of the decorations date back to these heroic battles. Some old decorations from the First Polish Republic were reinstated and some new ones were instituted. Most of these decorations were still in use when de Germans attacked in September 1939.

The Order of Precedence during this period:

1. Order of the White Eagle
2. Order of Virtuti Militari I class
3. Order of Virtuti Militari II class
4. Order of Virtuti Militari III class
5. Order of Virtuti Militari IV class
6. Order of Virtuti Militari V class
7. Order of Polonia Restituta I class
8. Order of Polonia Restituta II class
9. Order of Polonia Restituta III class
10. Cross of Independence with or without Swords
11. Order of Polonia Restituta IV class
12. Order of Polonia Restituta V class
13. Cross of Valour
14. Cross for War Volunteers
15. Cross of Merit for Bravery
16. Gold Cross of Merit
17. Independence Medal
18. Medal for War Volunteers
19. Silver Cross of Merit
20. Bronze Cross of Merit
21. Cross of Merit of the Central Lithuanian Army
22. Silesian Cross on Ribbon of Merit
23. Medal for Rescuing the Perishing
24. 1918-1921 War Medal
25 Gold Academic Laureate Medal
26. Silver Academic Laureate Medal .
27. 10th Anniversary of Independence
28. 3rd of May Medal
29. Gold 30 year Long Service Medal (Never awarded)
30. Silver 20 year Long Service Medal
31. Bronze 10 year Long Service Medal

The Polish Forces in the West.
After the invasion by Germany and the Soviet Union, member of the Polish Government and several military, were able to get away through Romania, Hongary and Slovakia. Many of them came to France, where new Polish military units were formed. Others could get to Syria, where they formed the Carpathian Infantry Brigade. However many Polish soldiers went into POW camps in Germany and the Soviet Union. The Polish Government in Exile held office in Paris, but after the fall of France they brought their seat to London. Several Polish military also escaped to Great Britain and formed new military units. The Polish Government in Exile would have to stay in London until 1990. When in June 1941 the German Army invaded the Soviet Union, many of the former POW’s were permitted to go to the West and formed more Polish units.

Most former Polish decorations were adopted by the Government in London, but during the war many new ones were instituted. Even until the homecoming of the Polish Government in Exile in 1990 the instituted new decorations.

Order off Precedence Polish Forces in the West:
1. Order of the White Eagle
2. Order of Virtuti Militari I class
3. Order of Virtuti Militari II class
4. Order of Virtuti Militari III class
5. Order of Virtuti Militari IV class
6. Order of Virtuti Militari V class
7. Order of Polonia Restituta I class
8. Order of Polonia Restituta II class
9. Order of Polonia Restituta III class
10. Order of Polonia Restituta IV class
11. Order of Polonia Restituta V class
12. Cross of Valour
13. Gold Cross of Merit with Swords
14. Gold Cross of Merit
15. Silver Cross of Merit with Swords
16. Silver Cross of Merit
17. Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords
18. Bronze Cross of Merit
19. Monte Cassino Cross (Commemorative)
20 A. Army Service Medal
B. Navy Service Medal
C. Air Force Service Medal
D. Merchant Marine Service Medal

Highest awards

Order of the White Eagle
Order Orla BialegoOrder of the White Eagle
In the database: 18
Issued:16
Cross of Independence with Swords
Krzyz Niepodleglosci z MieczamiCross of Independence with Swords
In the database: 48
Issued:1818
Cross of Independence
Krzyz NiepodleglosciCross of Independence
In the database: 97
Issued:unknown
Independence Medal
Medal NiepodleglosciIndependence Medal
In the database: 44
Issued:unknown

Orders

Gwiazda GornoslaskaIn the database: 17
Issued:unknown
Grand Cross to the Virtuti Militari Order
Order Virtuti Militari Grand CrossGrand Cross to the Virtuti Militari Order
In the database: 4
Issued:unknown
Commander to the Virtuti Militari Order
Order Virtuti Militari CommanderCommander to the Virtuti Militari Order
In the database: 8
Issued:unknown
Knight to the Virtuti Militari Order
Order Virtuti Militari KnightKnight to the Virtuti Militari Order
In the database: 4
Issued:unknown
Golden Cross to the Virtuti Militari Order
Order Virtuti Militari Gold CrossGolden Cross to the Virtuti Militari Order
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
War Order of Virtuti Militari - Silver Cross
Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari - Krzyz SrebrnyWar Order of Virtuti Militari - Silver Cross
In the database: 174
Issued:unknown
Grand Cross to the Order of Poland Restored
Order Odrodzenia Polski WielkiGrand Cross to the Order of Poland Restored
In the database: 13
Issued:unknown
Grand Commander to the Order of Poland Restored
Order Odrodzenia Polski Komandorski z GwiazdaGrand Commander to the Order of Poland Restored
In the database: 15
Issued:unknown
Commander to the Order of Poland Restored
Order Odrodzenia Polski KomandorskiCommander to the Order of Poland Restored
In the database: 54
Issued:unknown
Officer to the Order of Poland Restored
Order Odrodzenia Polski OficerskiOfficer to the Order of Poland Restored
In the database: 82
Issued:unknown
Member to the Order of Poland Restored
Order Odrodzenia Polski KawalerskiMember to the Order of Poland Restored
In the database: 45
Issued:unknown

Bravery Decorations (no orders)

Cross of Valor
Krzyz WalecznychCross of Valor
In the database: 540
Issued:unknown
Cross of Merit for Valor
Krzyz Zaslugi za DzielnoscCross of Merit for Valor
In the database: 0
Issued:unknown
Cross of Merit in Gold
Zloty Krzyz ZaslugiCross of Merit in Gold
In the database: 174
Issued:unknown
Cross of Merit in Silver
Srebrny Krzyz ZaslugiCross of Merit in Silver
In the database: 68
Issued:unknown
Cross of Merit in Brass
Brazowy Krzyz ZaslugiCross of Merit in Brass
In the database: 5
Issued:unknown
Cross of Valour of the Bulak-Balachowicza Army
Krzyz Walecznosci Armii gen. Bulak-BalachowiczaCross of Valour of the Bulak-Balachowicza Army
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Cross of Military Merit of Central Lithuania
Krzyz Zaslugi Wojsk Litwy SrodkowejCross of Military Merit of Central Lithuania
In the database: 16
Issued:unknown

Campaign and Service Awards

Commemorative Medal War 1918-1921
Medal Pamiatkowy za Wojne 1918-1921Commemorative Medal War 1918-1921
In the database: 154
Issued:unknown
Cross of Airborne and Antigas Defence League in Gold
Krzyz LOPP - ZlotyCross of Airborne and Antigas Defence League in Gold
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Cross on Silesian Ribbon of Valor and Merit 1st Class
Krzyz na Slaskiej Wstedze Walecznosci i Zaslugi I KlasyCross on Silesian Ribbon of Valor and Merit 1st Class
In the database: 7
Issued:unknown
Cross on Silesian Ribbon of Valor and Merit 2nd Class
Krzyz na Slaskiej Wstedze Walecznosci i Zaslugi II Klasy Cross on Silesian Ribbon of Valor and Merit 2nd Class
In the database: 11
Issued:unknown
Life Saving Medal
Medal Za Ratowanie GinacychLife Saving Medal
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Long Service Medal 30 years
Medal Za Dlugoletnia Sluzbe 30 yearsLong Service Medal 30 years
In the database: 0
Issued:unknown
Long Service Medal 20 years
Medal Za Dlugoletnia Sluzbe 20 yearsLong Service Medal 20 years
In the database: 9
Issued:unknown
Long Service Medal 10 years
Medal Za Dlugoletnia Sluzbe 10 yearsLong Service Medal 10 years
In the database: 16
Issued:unknown

Commemorative- / Jubileemedals

Commemorative Medal for the Tenth Anniversary of Independence
Medal 10-lecia Odzyskania NiepodleglosciCommemorative Medal for the Tenth Anniversary of Independence
In the database: 151
Issued:unknown
Legions Cross
Krzyz LegionowyLegions Cross
In the database: 3
Issued:unknown
Commmorative Badge for Political Prisoners
Znak Pamiatkow Wiezniow IdeowychCommmorative Badge for Political Prisoners
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Haller Swords
Miecze HallerowskieHaller Swords
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Plebiscit Honour Cross 1920
Honorowy Slaski Krzyz PlebiscytowyPlebiscit Honour Cross 1920
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Cross of the Federation of Defenders of the Fatherland
Krzyz Federacji Obroncow OjczyznyCross of the Federation of Defenders of the Fatherland
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Znak Honoru "Orleta"In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Polish Allied Victory Medal
Medal ZwyciestwaPolish Allied Victory Medal
In the database: 19
Issued:unknown
Krzyż Obrony LwowaIn the database: 6
Issued:unknown
Znak Pamiątkowa Więźniów IdeowychIn the database: 1
Issued:unknown

War and Service Decorations Air Force

Air Gunner Wing 1919In the database: 0
Issued:unknown
Air Gunner Wing 1933In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Bombardier WingIn the database: 12
Issued:unknown
Navigator BadgeIn the database: 15
Issued:unknown
Observer WingIn the database: 34
Issued:unknown
Pilot School WingIn the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Pilot Wing 1st classIn the database: 0
Issued:unknown
Pilot-observer WingIn the database: 4
Issued:unknown

Civilian Decorations

Krzyż harcerskiIn the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Złoty Wawrzyn AkademickiIn the database: 2
Issued:unknown

War and Service Decorations Army

Anti Aircraft Badge
Znak Pamiatkow Dywizjonow Artylerii PrzeciwlotniczejAnti Aircraft Badge
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Reserve Officer Artillery School Badge
Znak Szkoly Podchorazych Rezerwy ArtyleriiReserve Officer Artillery School Badge
In the database: 4
Issued:unknown
Reserve Officers Association Badge
Znak Zwiazek Oficerow RezerwyReserve Officers Association Badge
In the database: 4
Issued:unknown
Officer Badge
Znak Oficerski "Parasol"Officer Badge "Parasol"
In the database: 10
Issued:unknown
Badge
Znak "Za wierna sluzbe"Badge "For faithful service"
In the database: 8
Issued:unknown
Memorial badge of the Polish General Staff
Znak Dyplomowanych Oficerow Sztabu GeneralnegoMemorial badge of the Polish General Staff
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Memorial Badge 1st Brigade of Polish Legions
Znak Pamiatkow I Brygady Legionow PolskichMemorial Badge 1st Brigade of Polish Legions
In the database: 1
Issued:unknown
Airborne and Antigas Defence League Badge
Znak LOPPAirborne and Antigas Defence League Badge
In the database: 3
Issued:unknown
Badge 1st Polish Corps in Russia
Znak I korpus w RosjiBadge 1st Polish Corps in Russia
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown
Złota Odznaka Honorowa L.O.P.P. I stopniaIn the database: 10
Issued:unknown
Tank Badge
Znak PancernyTank Badge
In the database: 2
Issued:unknown

War and Service Decorations Army

Commemorative Badge of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces
Znak Pamiatkowa Generalnego Inspektora Sil ZbrojnychCommemorative Badge of the Inspector General of the Armed Forces
In the database: 15
Issued:unknown

Wounded and Passed-Away Awards

Wound Badge
Znak za Rany i KontuzjeWound Badge
In the database: 21
Issued:unknown