Soviet Polish Crosses

[Riley1965]

The Auschwitz Cross was established in 1985 to honor all former prisoners of the German concentration camps. A silver cross with a triangular prisoners symbol and a letter P on red enamel background. The reverse has barb wire and the years 1939-1945 with the words, PRL, Wiezniom Obozow Koncentracyjnych ( For Prisoners of the Concentration Camps). The cross is worn on a gray ribbon with blue stripes. The cross is 45mm x 45mm.

[Riley1965]

Partisan Cross

Established in 1945 as an award for meritorious servcie in combat operations during the German occupation of Poland. The cross was also awarded to partisans in France, Yugoslavia and the Soviet union. The cross is gold gilt with indented borders on both sides The medal is worn on a green ribbon with black border stripes. The cross is 39mm x 39mm.

[Riley1965]

Silesian Cross

Established in 1946 to honor those who participated in the Silesian Uprising in 1921 and fought in that region in 1939 and 1945. The ribbon is a combination of stripes which includes the colors of the Cross of Valor, Order of Grunwald and the pre-war Cross of Silesian Valor and Merit. Light blue, red and white center, and red and white border stripes. The cross is 39mm x 39mm.