Poland (Republic): The Cross of Combat Action of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. 2nd type issue. With clasp 'Narwik'

2nd issue medal, with larger plain ring suspension

Awarded to Polish veterans of The Polish Independent Highland Brigade (Polish: Samodzielna Brygada Strzelców Podhalańskich) that fought in the Narvik Campaign, Norway, 1940

The Polish Independent Highland Brigade was a Polish military unit created in France in 1939, after the fall of Poland, as part of the Polish Army in France. It had approximately 5,000 soldiers trained in mountain warfare and was commanded by General Zygmunt Szyszko-Bohusz. It was named after the region of Podhale in southern Poland

In February it was assigned to the Anglo-French expeditionary corps prepared to be sent to Finland. Eventually in May and June 1940 it took part in the Allied campaign in Norway and fought with distinction in the Battles of Narvik. After the beginning of hostilities on the Western Front, the brigade was withdrawn to France, where it fought in the defence of Brittany. Disbanded, some of its soldiers were evacuated to Britain and Egypt, while others joined the French resistance

The medal was established by the Act of May 17, 1989 as an expression of recognition, respect and memory for the armed action of soldiers, pilots and sailors of the Polish Armed Forces , on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the battles fought by them

The cross is the only Polish medal to be issued with battle clasps for wear on the riband. In total there were 15 x different clasps awarded

The cross was awarded to participants of combat operations conducted by the Polish Armed Forces during World War II in 1939–1945. The cross was awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland (until July 1989 - the Council of State ) at the request of the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Main Board of ZBoWiD. The cross could be awarded to Polish citizens and citizens of other countries, also posthumously

On May 8, 1999, the awarding of the Cross became obsolete

Through to 1999, an estimated 18,033 awards were made, as under:

- 1989 – 41
- 1990 – 8,753
- 1991 – 2141
- 1992 – 1,700
- 1993 – 1018
- 1994 – 751
- 1995 – 1,583
- 1996 – 731
- 1997 – 264
- 1998 – 627
- 1999 – 424

Condition: About EF

Code: 24114