WW2 Polish Cross of Valour – 4 Times Awarded – “Light Bronze”

A Polish Cross of Valour made for the Free Polish Army in Exile. Version made from bronze, produced in Great Britain. Version 24a according to the book by Grzegorz Krogulec “Krzyż Walecznych”.

A Polish Cross of Valour awarded for acts of valour in the battlefield. The award in the shape of the cross, In the center a Polish crowned eagle with spread wings. On the arms an inscription “Na Polu Chwały 1920” meaning “On the fields of Glory 1920”. 

 The reverse with a sword and a laurel leaf crown with inscription “Walecznym” meaning, Valourious. 

 The cross has three bars indicating that it was awarded four times in total. This example belonged to Colonel Henryk Spaltenstein.

Colonel Henryk Spaltenstein. (born 13 December 1896, died 1973). Colonel of Artillery of the Polish Army. 

 Born on December 13, 1896. In 1913, he graduated from the 4th grade at the C. K. Department of the Gymnasium in Stryj. After Poland regained independence, he was admitted to the Polish Army. He was promoted to the rank of infantry lieutenant with seniority on June 1, 1919. In 1923 and 1924 he was an officer of the 80th infantry regiment (Słonim garrison), including in 1923 he was assigned to the 1st Staff Division in the Command of Corps District No. III in Grodno. He was transferred to the corps of artillery officers and verified as an artillery lieutenant with seniority on June 1, 1919. In 1928 he was an officer of the 29th field artillery regiment in Grodno. On January 27, 1930, he was promoted to the rank of captain with seniority on January 1, 1930 and 3rd place in the corps of artillery officers. In 1932 he was an officer of the 5th Infantry Division in Lwów. In 1939, as a major, he served in the 19th Light Artillery Regiment in Nowa Wilejka as the commander of the 4th squadron. He fought in this position in the September campaign.

After getting to France, he became an officer of the Polish Army in France. In 1940 he was the commander of the 3rd Division of the 1st Wilno Light Artillery Regiment. Later he became an officer of the Polish Armed Forces.