There's always a problem when it comes to comparison of the Polish Awards to Soviet ones. Meritous on the field of glory came in three classes, all of them were theoretically below the Cross of the Brave. However, from what I know the Bronze medal could have been given for e.g. general good conduct of a soldier (especially of non-frontline services), but could also be given for courage displayed on planting telephone lines or even for destroying a Machinegun nest (and for that last, one could get Cross of the Brave as well). So the bronze one can be an equivalent of Military Merits Medal, but also of the Order of the Red Star. The silver one was not considered much higher, but it was for greater deeds - I would say it may be considered an equal to Bravery medal, Red Star or even Patriotic War. The gold one was awarded rarely and at first only for deeds specified by it's statute (will add it here when I find it), thus very few were awarded.
Some say the idea behind the the medals were to create Polish Glory-equivalent, but it's not realy true - bronze was lower than Glory III.
Here are the rules for awarding:
Since 12.08.1944 (no direct rules before, even tough the medal was being awarded):
Gold: For one of the following deeds:
-Shooting down 2 enemy airplanes by the crew of an airplane;
-Starting and use of enemy airplane in the combat conditions;
-Destruction during combat of three enemy tanks/armoured cannons by a tank crew;
-Killing at least 100 enemies in combat using a sniper rifle;
-Dragging away at least 50 wounded with their weapons from the battlefield;
The other two classes had only general rules, to be awarded for courage, heroism and virtue on the frontline in difficult situations which required sacrifice.
Since 22.12.1944 it was:
Gold: For those who shown high heroism or deeds of exceptional courage in combat;
Silver:To those whose efforts had great influence on the successful fulfilment of the tasks of their units;
Bronze: Those who showing great valour excellently fulfilled their task or shown initiative, persistence and boldness that can serve as as an example for the others.
Some say the idea behind the the medals were to create Polish Glory-equivalent, but it's not realy true - bronze was lower than Glory III.
Here are the rules for awarding:
Since 12.08.1944 (no direct rules before, even tough the medal was being awarded):
Gold: For one of the following deeds:
-Shooting down 2 enemy airplanes by the crew of an airplane;
-Starting and use of enemy airplane in the combat conditions;
-Destruction during combat of three enemy tanks/armoured cannons by a tank crew;
-Killing at least 100 enemies in combat using a sniper rifle;
-Dragging away at least 50 wounded with their weapons from the battlefield;
The other two classes had only general rules, to be awarded for courage, heroism and virtue on the frontline in difficult situations which required sacrifice.
Since 22.12.1944 it was:
Gold: For those who shown high heroism or deeds of exceptional courage in combat;
Silver:To those whose efforts had great influence on the successful fulfilment of the tasks of their units;
Bronze: Those who showing great valour excellently fulfilled their task or shown initiative, persistence and boldness that can serve as as an example for the others.
