Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
Article about: by IvanPutski Here's another little tidbit on that cross.... It was awarded to a fighter pilot. Hello Ivan, OK, the suspense builds . . . so now how about giving us the name? The award lists
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Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
by
robert odulinski
Dear friends,
I would like to propose posting a new thread with regards to the Krzyz Waleczny or Cross of Valour. i love this medal it is a personal favourite of mine.
What i hope hope to achieve by this post is the following;
An understanding of the background of the award
A knowledge of production processes how are they made
The evolution of the KW fom its beginnings with Rozycki to its many variants.
Pictures and classifications of the many many variants
How and when they were awarded and for what.
How to spot a fake or a copy.
Ribbons
Currently i have the Krogulec book which as a reference source is very confusing. I would really like to be able to classify the Kws from their origins in the First War of Independence tothe medals issued during the Second World War.
I am posting my first picture of a Numbered Rozycki which is on a replacement ribbon. Its ribbon loop has been soldered replaced with one which i believe is from a Knedler. (The dealer forgot to tell me, mmm academics eh)
OK Robert - let's roll with the Polish 2nd Replublic pre-WW2 types. But first - a little history:
The Cross of Valor (Polish: Krzyż Walecznych) was first introduced by the Council for the Defense of the State on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the battlefield." It may be awarded to the same person up to four times [1] . The medal is given only in wartime or shortly after.
The medal was introduced at the height of the Polish-Soviet War (1920), shortly before the climactic Battle of Warsaw. Initially it had no Order Council and was awarded personally by the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army. Later the option was added of delegating the privilege to front and division commanders.
Through 29 May 1923, when the last medal for the Polish-Soviet War was awarded, the Cross of Valor had been granted to some 60,000 soldiers. Apart from individuals who had participated in the Polish-Soviet War, it had also been retroactively awarded to some soldiers of the Polish Legions, of World War I military units, of the Silesian Uprisings, of the Great Poland Uprising, and to members of the Polish Military Organization. It had been awarded, as well, to veterans of the January 1863 Uprising and to the city of Płock.
(source Wikipedia)
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
Fantastic Tony !!!
Gary J.
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
Great thread, as far as I know all 4 of my Great Grand-Fathers were awarded the Cross of Valor (1 was even awarded the Virtuti Militari)but all there awards and military stuff were burned down in 1939 hid but never found or destroyed.The only medal I have from my family is a 20 years service medal.If anyone ever has a original stamped Cross of Valor for sale please contact me.
Nice cross Tony the #26 is the lowest serial number on a cross Ive seen
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
If anyone wants to trade a pre-war cross of Valor for my 3rd of May medal (original) then pm me Its on ebay right now if anyones wondering
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
by
A.J. Zawadzki
Two variants of the Różycki from my collection are pictured below – both on pre-war period ribbons although 2663 has the wz.29 hook and eye type, and therefore a replacement of the original type that was simply sewn across the top.
Robert’s version is like the 2663, and I am betting that Ivan’s 26 is like the 1323. Any chance at a picture of the obverse of yours Ivan?
Also attached is a photograph of a lance sergeant wearing a Różycki no-date cross using the early French style parade bar adopted by the Poles.
T.
Thanks Gary at last im getting to understand the complexities of the Kw Phew. From a novices eye what strikes me about this version is that the arms are somewhat 'wypuchle' or rounded with the distinctive colour of the patina. Its a very rich attic bronzed colour and in my opinion most certaily the best design.
When these items were struck i am presuming that they were struck in one piece and then filed.
You mentioned that 3,000 were originally struck by Rozycki? Why are there variants of the same medal?
Fantastic information gentleman, thank you sincerely for your intellectual generosity. For me this is just too good to be true.
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Re: Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych) – Pre-WW2 Types
by
3mk
Nice cross Tony the #26 is the lowest serial number on a cross Ive seen
Here's another little tidbit on that cross....
It was awarded to a fighter pilot.
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