Netherlands Medals to cities ...

[Vatjan]

Here's the MC awarded to Ypres

[Vatjan]

And Ypres' French Croix de Guerre

Jan

[Hendrik]

Many thanks Jan for the gorgeous pictures !!!

Hendrik

[JimZ]

Its been mentioned.... but here's more detail on the Malta GC. Also in the "Then and Now" section on http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11793 you can see some pics I had put together as part of the Siege of Malta.

Regards

Jim

"Although primarily intended to mark individual acts of gallantry, the George Cross has, on the express recommendation of the Sovereign, been awarded twice on a "collective" basis. The first by King George VI in 1942 to the Island of Malta and the second by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

MALTA 1942

During the Second World War, Malta's strategic position enabled her to strike at the Axis forces in the Mediterranean, disrupting their operations in North Africa and elsewhere. The ship-repairing facilities were invaluable to the British Fleet. Malta had to be defended but the early months saw much damage as the islands' inadequate air defences comprised of three aged Gloster Gladiator biplanes which the locals immediately christened Faith, Hope and Charity. Defences were eventually upgraded with the arrival of Hurricane and Spitfire fighters.

Less than 24 hours after Italy entered the war in June 1940 the first air-raids by the Italian Air Force occurred, which then increased with the involvement of the Luftwaffe. Through 1941 and 1942, 3,000 raids occurred, towns and the industrial areas around harbours were heavily damaged and much of the population was evacuated to the island's centre. Thousands of inhabitants and British defenders were killed or injured. Malta was the most heavily bombed place on earth - proportionately (in area) more bombs fell on Malta than on the English industrial town of Coventry. As the convoys carrying precious supplies were attacked and sunk, the islanders suffered serious deprivation and disease.

As it transpired, although April 1942 was the final month of the Luftwaffe offensive, it was possibly the most difficult period of the siege so devastatingly enforced by the Axis powers. The island and its population were not to experience any relief until the final months of 1942 when supplies and aid began to reach the defenders in significant quantities.

By August 1942 the situation was desperate. The arrival of the battered remains of a convoy on the 15th August was ascribed by the inhabitants to a miracle, interceded by the Virgin, on whose Feast of the Assumption it occurred.

All over the world people had followed the resistance of the islanders and those trying to bring aid by sea and air. In April 1942 King George VI, in a dramatic and unprecedented gesture, conferred the George Cross on the tiny Mediterranean island. The award was made in a letter dated 15th April 1942 from His Majesty to the Governor of Malta, Lieutenant General Sir William Dobbie GCMG KCB DSO, which read as follows:

"To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history."

The population received the honour to recognise their courage under sustained enemy attacks during World War II. Malta - Britain's "unsinkable aircraft carrier" - was of vital importance to the Allied war effort. Its people endured air raids and a naval blockade which almost saw them starved into submission.

The news of the award of the George Cross was internationally welcomed as it served in a tangible way to mark the heroism of all concerned. A depiction of the George Cross was added to the Maltese national flag soon after the award was made and the honour is still proudly borne today by the Maltese as their flag is raised outside the European Parliament Buildings in Brussels.

The George Cross was presented by Field Marshal Lord Gort VC GCB CBE DSO** MVO MC, the recently appointed Governor, to Sir George Borg MBE, Chief Justice, who accepted it on behalf of the people of Malta on the 13th of September in the ruins of the Palace Square, Valetta. The George Cross was subsequently taken to every part of the islands so the Maltese could see their award.

On his visit to Malta in December 1943, President Roosevelt read the following citation,

"In the name of the people of the United States of America I salute the Island of Malta, its people and defenders, who, in the cause of freedom and justice and decency throughout the world, have rendered valorous service far above and beyond the call of duty.

Under repeated fire from the skies, Malta stood alone but unafraid in the center of the sea, one tiny bright flame in the darkness - a beacon of hope for the clearer days which have come. Malta's bright story of human fortitude and courage will be read by posterity with wonder and with gratitude through all the ages.

What was done in this Island maintains the highest traditions of gallant men and women who from the beginning of time have lived and died to preserve civilization for all mankind."

December 7th 1943 Franklin D. Roosevelt

The George Cross and original letter from King George VI are on display in the National War Museum, Valetta.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the award in April 2002, 15 members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association were invited by the Government to visit Malta for a week of celebrations."

Source: http://www.gc-database.co.uk/collective.htm

Edited December 18, 2006 by jimzammit

[Christophe]

Another shot of the Croix de Guerre of the town of Ypres (Belgium). It is located in the In Flanders Fields Museum.

Ch.

[Christophe]

And the citation :

"Le Ministre de la Guerre certifie que la ville d'Ypres (Belgique) a obtenu la Croix de Guerre pour Citation ? l'ordre de l'Arm?e avec le motif suivant : "Ville h?ro?que, qui a re?u vaillamment, et sans rien perdre de son courage ni de sa confiance, les coups les plus rudes et les plus meurtriers. Au cours d'une lutte acharn?e, a pay? de sa ruine la victorieuse r?sistance de ses d?fenseurs." (J.O. du 30 janvier 1920) au cours de la campagne 1914-1918 contre l'Allemagne et ses Alli?s.

Fait ? Paris le 3 novembre 1922.

Le Ministre de la Guerre et des Pensions."

"The French War Minister certifies that the city of Ypres (Belgium) has been awarded the Croix de Guerre with a citation in the order of the Army with following motive: " Heroic City, which accepted valiantly, and without losing anything of its courage or its trust, the bloodiest and the hardest blows. In the course of a persevered conflict, has paid of its ruine the victorious resistance of its defenders. " (J.O. of January 30th, 1920) in the course of the campaign 1914-1918 against Germany and his Allies. Made in Paris, on November 3rd, 1922.

The War and Pensions Minister."

Ch.

Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Lukasz Gaszewski]

Hello Lukasz,

Thanks for that information ! Apparently Verdun did not receive the Virtuti Militari but the War Cross (see the earlier post in this thread).

Cheers,

Hendrik

Hi Hendrik,

It was VM for sure! I've consulted sources for details. Verdun was awarded the Virtuti Militari on February 6, 1921, personally by Marshal Pilsudski during his visit to France. Most probably the name of the order was incorrectly registered as Croix de Guerre. Glad being able to correct the mistake.

Merry Christmas!

Lukasz

[Christophe]

Medal ?de la reconnaissance Fran?aise?

French towns

Nemasse

Thonon

Evian

Ceret

Cerb?re

Hochfelden

Click here to see the medal

The M?daille de la Reconnaissance Fran?aise has been awarded to 6 french towns (the first one being Annemasse, not Nemasse ), and 8 foreign cities. i'll try to find the list of those.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Towns decorated by la Croix de guerre (France)

(...)

Abbeville 1939-1945

(...)

Abbeville has received the Croix de Guerre twice, in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

Here is its coat of arms.

Ch.

[Christophe]

Coat of arms of Dunkerque.

Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, L?gion d'Honneur (1919) and Distinguished Service Cross (1919).

Ch.

[Christophe]

The Town of Lille (France)

Has olso been decorated bij the order of the tower and the Sword of Portugal

Here is Lille's coat of arms. Only One Croix de Guerre visible.

Ch.

[Hendrik]

Excellent Christophe - Many thanks

Hendrik

[Hendrik]

Most probably the name of the order was incorrectly registered as Croix de Guerre.

Hello Lukasz,

... or maybe both were awarded ? Possibly not even at the same time ? I feel these awards would have been too important to the town of Verdun for such a mistake to have been made. Looking forward to further information on this !

Cheers & Merry Xmas !

Hendrik

[Christophe]

The M?daille de la Reconnaissance Fran?aise has been awarded to 6 french towns (the first one being Annemasse, not Nemasse ), and 8 foreign cities. i'll try to find the list of those.

Ch.

The list fo the 8 foreign cities awarded the M?daille de la Reconnaissance Fran?aise :

* Switzerland : Schaffhouse ( 1919 ), B?le, Gen?ve & Lausanne ( 1921 ), Montreux ( 1953 ).

* Belgium : Mons ( 1920 ).

* Luxembourg : Luxembourg ( 1921 ).

* Norway : Narvik ( 1954 ).

Ch.