Polish WW2 & Later Medal / Badge Group

[vladtheman03]

Hi, I recently bought this collection of items. 

I don't usually collect Polish awards, however, I am a sucker for a good documented group.  This seemed to be really complete and not a 'put together' set.  The group seems to be fully documented, but note the change in name from 1948 to 1965.  The original recipient seems to have altered part of his name and then dropped the German part (Gintter) altogether.  Is this common? 

Regarding the medals they are the Order of Polonia Restituita (Member), Gold Cross of Merit, Medal for the War of 1939, Baltic, Oder & Neisse Medal, Freedom Medal and Defence of the Motherland 3rd Class.   

Top row of badges is a bit trickier, Grunwald Shield, crowned eagle silver badge (a side hat badge or collar badge?) in silver, trade union badge, excellent seller badge, merit medal from the ministry of materials (?) not sure what the BPS one is either.  The one below (PZ ERI) should be on a blue enamelled suspender and is a merit medal for the union of pensioners (I think).  Finally the medal for the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the republic. 

Any info on this group would be appreciated! 

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

Hi,

your identification is generally correct. I will allow myself to add my two bits.

The silver multi-rectangular badge is the decoration of merit to the construction and construction materials industry. The oval one is a commemorative one from a trade unions congress. What regards the BPS badge, the abbreviation comes from 'Brigades of Socialist Labour.' In short, teams of workers declared they would expand the labour plan by so and so much, and depending on how much they succeeded they got the decoration in gold, silver or bronze + usually a bonus of free holidays, refrigerator or tv-set. I believe teams like that were popular in other countries of the bloc as well.

The eagle is a contemporary collar badge, worn by general officers today. No idea how it found itself with the other badges.

Although fairly popular, the Grunwald Badge is perhaps the most interesting of all badges here. It roughly corresponds to US CIB and means that the recipient served on the front.

And one more thing: the silver medal on the right commemorated not the 20th but the 10th anniversary of the republic. It was established in 1954.

I tried to identify the guy, but the name is too popular. Even the double name did not give any results.

 

Edited July 16, 2016 by Lukasz Gaszewski

[Aahauge]

Agree Lukasz (and nice to meet you again after some 10 years).

I would point out out that the Odre, Nysa, Baltic document is interesting due to the w/z signature.

Best regards Aahauge

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

Nice to meet you again, too