Ribbon Bars

[medals73]

– Order of the Banner of Labor / Order Sztandaru Pracy, 2nd (?) class;Order of Poland Restored / Order Odrodzenia Polski, 5th (?) class; Cross of Valor / Krzyz Walecznych

– Cross of Merit / Krzyz Zaslugi, silver; Medal for Merit on the Field of Glory / Medal Zasluzonym na Polu Chwaly, silver; Warsaw Medal, 1939-45 / Medal Za Warszawe 1939-1945

– Oder, Neisse, and Baltic Medal / Medal Za Odre, Nyse i Baltyk / Victory and Freedom Medal 1945 / Medal Zwyciestwa i Wolnosci 1945; Armed Forces in Service for the Country Medal / Medal "Sily Zbrojne w Sluzbie Ojczyzny", gold

– Medal Zwyciestwa i Wolnosci 1945; Armed Forces in Service for the Country Medal / Medal "Sily Zbrojne w Sluzbie Ojczyzny", silver; Medal Zwyciestwa i Wolnosci 1945; Armed Forces in Service for the Country Medal / Medal "Sily Zbrojne w Sluzbie Ojczyzny", bronze ; 30 Years of People's Poland Commemorative Medal / Medal 30-lecia Polski Ludowej (?)

– Medal for Participation in the Battle of Berlin / Medal Za Udzial w Walkach o Berlin; Medal for Merit for Country Defense / Medal Za Zaslugi dla Obronnosci Kraju, bronze; USSR: Order of the Red Star

– USSR: Liberation of Warsaw; USSR: Capture of Berlin; USSR: Victory over Germany

[Al-muell]

An interesting and well-made ribbon bar:
1:Wound badge - 1 wound;
2:Polonia Restituta Cavalier's Cross, Cross of the Brave, Silver Cross of Merit;
3:Bronze "Meritous on the Field of Glory, For Oder, Nisse, Baltic Sea, Victory & Freedom;
4:For participation in the fights for Berlin, Victory over Germany (Soviet)
5:(not sure why last) Grunwald Cross 3rd class.
Apparently the owner was soon de-mobilised after the WW2, so likely a non-officer, but well-decorated anyway.

[Al-muell]

Interesting set in a style uncommon for Poland. They are mounted on two brass plates and have a mount of 2 small screws - so probably they belonged to an active servicemen - such attachment made it easy to replace the bars with the awards themselves.

We have:
Silver Cross of Merit, Bronze "Meritous on the Field of Glory" medal, Silver "Armed Froces in service to the Motherland" medal;
Bronze "Armed Froces in service to the Motherland" medal, Partisan Cross, Victory & Freedom medal, Victory over Germany (Soviet).

No idea on owner's data, but he must have had a story to tell - partisan, later Polish Army soldier with some merits and then - professional officer.

[Pobeda45]

Very interesting! I have one that looks to be made in the same workshop. It's an interesting style and very meticulously made; also has the screw attachment on the back.

The recipient's awards look to be:

1. Cross of Valour
2. Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland - Gold Class
3. For Merit in the Field of Glory - Silver Class
4. Cross of Merit - Silver Class?
5. Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland - Silver Class
6. Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland - Bronze Class
7. Medal of the 10th Anniversary of People's Poland
8. Medal For Warsaw 1939-1945
9. Medal For Oder, Neisse, and Baltic
10. Medal For Victory and Freedom
11. USSR Medal For the Liberation of Warsaw
12. USSR Medal For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
13. ČSSR Medal for Bravery Before the Enemy

A well-decorated officer with an interesting story!

[Al-muell]

Seems to be the same manufacture indeed.
The Czechoslovak award would point towards a few units that fought in there for a short time.

[Pobeda45]

Thanks! Very interesting on the Czech service as well. Does the Cross of Merit make sense in the above set? I thought it was a Labor award, I guess it makes sense for a staff officer though. Really unusual style and coincidence that we both have one from this manufacturer.

Here's another Polish bar in the "Soviet" style, the recipient's awards look to be:

1. For Merit in the Field of Glory - Silver Class
2. Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland - Silver Class
3. Medal of the Armed Forces in the Service of the Fatherland - Bronze Class
4. Medal of the 10th Anniversary of People's Poland
5. Medal For Warsaw 1939-1945
6. Medal For Oder, Neisse, and Baltic
7. Medal For Victory and Freedom
8. USSR Medal For the Liberation of Warsaw
9. USSR Medal For the Capture of Berlin
10. USSR Medal For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
11. USSR Medal 30 Years of the Soviet Army and Navy? Not sure about this one being awarded to a Polish Army officer.

[Al-muell]

The crosses of merit were for both civilians and military personnel. Although awardings in the Polish Army in the East during the WW2 were rare and usually limited to non-combat achievements, a lot of servicemen got them after the war for wide array of deeds - excellence in leadership, distinguishing themselves during major exercises etc. I even remember one officer (lieutenant) who wrote in his memoires that he got a silver one for prepearing the in-unit elections in 1947 and I doubt he was the only one (in fact, I think that there may be a decree for that available).

30years of the Soviet Army and Navy would be most unusual to a Polish officer, unless he was in the Soviet Army before or was a member of some official delegation in 1948. Never seen one, but it is not impossible. However, I believe it is more likely to be a different award from another country.

[Pobeda45]

Thanks! I appreciate the input. Yes, I'll keep looking for other possibilities for the last ribbon on my second bar. I also thought that the jubilee Soviet medal would be unlikely for the period..

George