Medal "Meritorious In The Field Of Glory".

[Taz]

(Medal Zasluzonym na Polu Chwaly)

This Medal was first instituted at the beginning of November 1943
in three classes after the battle of Lenino, by order of the commander-in-chief of the I Polish Army Corps in Russia, Gen. Z. Berling.
By decree on December 23, 1944 it was included in the Polish award system.
Changed slightly in 1944. Before the re-instatement of the Order Virtuti Militari.
It was awarded for acts of military virtue and valour to soldiers of the Peoples' Army, irrespective of the rank.
It came in 3 classes, gold, silver and bronze and was meant as an extension to the Virtuti Militari Award

Obverse: Order of Virtuti Militari (1943 version has flags as well as a crowned Eagle). Reverse: 1943 version: "ZASLUZONYM NA POLU CHWALY 12-13 X 1943 LENINO" surrounded by a laurel wreath.

1944 version "ZASLUZONYM NA POLU CHWALY 1944". With a non-crowned eagle in the cross and removed flags.

The ribbon is 42 mm wide, black with broad light blue side stripes these are the reversed colors of the Virtuti Militari.

Here is the 2nd Class 1944 version in silver.

Eddie

[Taz]

Here is the 3rd Class 1944 version in Bronze.

Eddie

[d-riemer]

Here is the 1943 version of this medal identified by flags in the background, a crown on the Polish eagle and the Lenino name plus battle date on the reverse. These medals are in my collection. Since they were issued in a quantity of 8 (gold), 63 (silver) and 112 (bronze), I am sure that they are the real thing ;).

[Tomahawk]

Hi guys!
The medals that d-riemer were given in a really low number, but I read somewhere that during 70's they were made for veterans, is this correct?
Thanks!

[charlet]

hello, following W.Stella's book, yes, there does exist a 1965 version, struck by the Warshaw Mint. The bronze grade was relatively common (75000 ex approx) and the biggest years of attributions were 1945 and 1971.

[Tomahawk]

Thanks for the information Charlet!
Hope to have Stella's book soon!

[charlet]

this is the only serious phaleristical book about polish stuff , to my knowledge. Very large amount of photo, only 50% really usefull for examination under magnification, but really these 2 books are a great piece of work.
You can find it on the polish ebay: allegro, or I can look for if I still have Stella personnal mail. ;)

[Tomahawk]

Thanks a lot for your offer Charlet, but my book is waiting in Poland to be sent :D (A friend bought it from Allegro) so i´m excited to see that 600 pages of information and pictures :D

[Al-muell]

A bronze one awarded to a Soviet Officer - jr. lieutenant Ravil Milibaevich Teregulov.
The doc is either a replacement of a war-time temporary doc or it is acatch-up award, as Teregulov was a senior lieutenant already by that time.

[Al-muell]

Teregulov most likely got the medal as a tank platoon commanderfor the fights in Pomerania, perhaps supporting Polish Army in some battle.
The medal is listed in his record as "Polish Medal".

Interestingly, Teregulov, an ethnic Tartar, was mobilised in January 1941 and his initial specialty was with the mortars