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

2nd issue medal, with larger plain ring suspension Awarded to Polish veterans of the 'Battle of Axel', (a town in the south-west of the Dutch province of Zeeland, is situated only 6 km from the Belgian border) that was fought in September 1944, by the 1st Polish Armoured Division during the campaign to liberate the Netherlands 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