pre-WW2 Polish Cross of Merit for Bravery (KOP) with Certificate

This exceptional set includes the Cross of Merit for Bravery in its original case, accompanied by the official award certificate and a collection of documents. It was bestowed upon Private Feliks Leśniak of the Border Protection Corps for his actions against Soviet Russian Bolshevik saboteurs. This is one of the rarest decorations of the Second Polish Republic — only 377 were awarded by the end of 1938. This remarkable set also includes extensive documentation, a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the award, and official records of financial compensation granted to the recipient.

The Cross of Merit for Bravery, a government-issued version, made in 875 silver (87.5% pure silver) by the workshop of Wiktor Gontarczyk in Warsaw. It bears full silver hallmarks, including the maker’s mark. An additional assay mark is present on the suspension loop.

The offered cross is catalogued in Zbigniew Krotke’s new publication “Krzyż Zasługi 1923–2024”, listed on page 94 under entry “Mw. zD. 1C.”

Historical Background and Significance

The Cross of Merit for Bravery was established in 1928 as a special variant of the Cross of Merit. It was awarded to soldiers, police officers, and uniformed service members for acts of outstanding courage and dedication in the line of duty.

The decoration takes the form of a silver, equal-armed cross with slightly concave arms covered with red enamel. The inscription “ZA DZIEL-NOŚĆ” (FOR BRAVERY) appears in silver letters on the top and side arms. At the center is a circular medallion with white enamel bearing the letters “RP” (Rzeczpospolita Polska – Republic of Poland).

The award also came with a lifelong financial allowance of 200 złotys per year. The ribbon is amaranth with two narrow blue stripes along the edges. A distinctive diagonal stripe, 10 mm wide, runs from the top right to the bottom left corner, half in cornflower blue and half in green.

Award to Feliks Leśniak

Feliks Leśniak was awarded the Cross of Merit for Bravery on November 7, 1929, in recognition of his participation in an operation against Soviet Russian Bolshevik saboteurs along the Zbrucz River border. This is the only known example of this award presented in its original case. The version included here is unnumbered and was made in silver by Wiktor Gontarczyk’s workshop in Warsaw.

The set includes the original award diploma and interwar-period documents confirming the receipt of the financial allowance associated with the decoration.

Description of the Military Action

During a nighttime ambush on the Polish-Soviet border, soldiers of the Border Protection Corps — including Privates Kazimierz Rogaliński and Feliks Leśniak — were on watch near the Zbrucz River. They noticed suspicious movements on the Soviet side.

Remaining hidden, the Polish sentries observed the intruders. When the enemy began crossing the river, Leśniak and Rogaliński opened fire and called for reinforcements. In response, the attackers threw grenades and attempted to retreat. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Polish soldiers successfully repelled the assault.

Thanks to their decisiveness and combat skills, additional KOP forces quickly arrived from a nearby outpost, forcing the saboteurs to withdraw completely.

For their courage and composure under fire, both Privates Rogaliński and Leśniak were awarded the Cross of Merit for Bravery. Their unit’s command praised their bravery, effectiveness, and ability to act under pressure, which played a decisive role in foiling the enemy operation.

Additional Documents and Memorabilia

The set also includes documents from Feliks Leśniak’s later life, such as:

• A KOP newspaper detailing the ambush,
• Records from his forced labor in Germany during World War II.

Cross Specifications:

• Dimensions: 40 mm x 41 mm
• Weight (with ribbon): 32 g
• Overall condition as shown in the photographs.