Unique set - Cross of Merit for Bravery awarded to soldier of the Border Protection Corps, Felix Lesniak.
The presented set contains the Distinguished Service Cross for Bravery, awarded to Frontier Protection Corps soldier Feliks Lesniak for fighting Bolshevik saboteurs. This is one of the rarest decorations of the Second Republic period - by the end of 1938 only 377 pieces had been awarded.
History and significance of the decoration
The Distinguished Service Cross for Bravery was established in 1928 as a special variation of the Distinguished Service Cross. It was awarded to soldiers, policemen and officers in the uniformed services for outstanding acts of bravery and sacrifice in service.
The decoration has the form of a silver isosceles cross with slightly concave arms. Its upper and side arms bear the inscription "FOR DEVOTION" in silver letters. In the center of the cross is a circular medallion with the letters "RP".
The cross was also associated with a lifetime financial allowance of 200 zlotys per year. The ribbon of the decoration was amaranth in color with two narrow blue stripes on the sides. A distinctive feature was a diagonal stripe 10 mm wide, running from the upper right to the lower left corner, half blue (cornflower) and half green.
History of the awarding of the Felix Lesniak
Felix Lesniak received the Distinguished Service Cross for Bravery on November 7, 1929, in recognition of his participation in an operation against Bolshevik saboteurs on the border on the Zbruch River. This is the first known piece in its original box. An unnumbered variety made in silver by the Wiktor Gontarczyk factory in Warsaw, the variety is described in the catalog of Z. Krotke "Polish Cross of Merit 1923-2000" (page 279).
The cross is accompanied by the original diploma and documents from the interwar period, confirming the payment of the financial allowance for the award.
Description of combat action
During a night ambush on the Polish-Soviet border, Border Protection Corps soldiers, including Privates Kazimierz Rogalinski and Feliks Lesniak, were on guard duty near the Zbruch River. At one point, they noticed suspicious movements on the Soviet side.
The Polish guards, remaining hidden, observed the attackers. As they began to cross the river, Lesniak and Rogalinski opened fire while calling for support. In response, the opponents threw grenades and began to retreat. Despite the vastly outnumbered enemy, the Polish soldiers successfully stopped their attack.
Thanks to their resolute attitude and fighting skills, additional forces from a nearby KOP outpost quickly arrived on the scene, which eventually forced the attackers to retreat.
For their demonstrated bravery and keeping their cool in a combat situation, Privates Kazimierz Rogalinski and Feliks Lesniak were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Bravery. The unit's command emphasized their courage, efficiency and ability to act under pressure, which contributed to thwarting a hostile action.
Additional documents and memorabilia
Also included are documents from the later period of Felix Lesniak's life, including:
Border Protection Corps Gazette, detailing the course of the ambush,
Documents from the period of forced labor in Germany during World War II.
Dimensions and specifications of the decoration:
Cross: 40 mm x 41 mm
Weight with ribbon: 32 g
Overall condition as shown in the photos.
