Cross Of Merit.

[Al-muell]

I am sure there was a post about the Crosses of merit, but cannot find it anywhere, so in order not to multiply posts I will put it here (if this has been posted somewhere else, please delete, I have just decided to put it here as I was long looking for this info):
Instituted in 1923 it was considered one of the most prestigious awards. Before the WW2 each class could only be awarded to the certain level of state officials and soldiers. For example, EM and NCOs could only be awarded Bronze cross of merit, while You have to be at least colonel top receive the gold cross of merit. In the army it guaranteed a promotion one rank higher (if possible)
In 1944 it was accepted by the awarding system of the People's Poland, however no specific awarding criteria was instituted. Until 1952 the letters on the central sheild were "RP", after that date - "PRL". After the war they were awarded for various deeds (ussually civilian), sometimes for long work in mining industry, however it was not until 1960 when special criteria of awarding it to miners and foundry and shipyard workers were established.
Since then it's:
To the miners working underground and to te miners of the sulfur strip mines (miners, mining technicians and mining engineers):
for 7 years of constant and outstanding work - Bronze cross of Merit
for 10 years - Silver Cross of Merit
for 15 years - Gold Cross of Merit
To the workers of the Iron Foundries and sea shipyards (to workers and technical-engineering employees):
for 10 years of constant and outstanding work - Silver Cross of Merit
for 15 years of work - Gold Cross of Merit.

According to the same regulations, the miners were also to receive:
Order of the banner of labour 2nd class for 20 years of work
Order of the Banner Of Labour 1st class for 25 years of work
However,this was probably abolished later, when "For longtime work in the mining industry" - 25 and 35 years were instituted - te miners already had retirement privilages, so additional privilages gained from the OBL would cost the state too much.
All this awardings required the work years(eg.10) to be counted from not earlier than 1944. If the miner was awarded a cross of merit for long-time work before 1960, he was not awarded the same class again, so ven if he got eg. Bronze one fro 5 years, he would not receive another bronze cross after next 7 years.


Of course the crosses of merit were still awarded to both civilians and military personnel for special merits - for example soldiers who during the participation in major international field excersises shown exceptional skills, ot whose actions led to success; Sportsmen who won some prizes on the international competitions, scientists for their research etc. It was no longer considered that prestigious, but was still considered higher than eg. Cross of the Brave.