France Another brave Zouave....

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is a pic in the traditional uniform.... any idea what the ribbon at the top is?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is his citation... unfortunately fading away forever...

Could one of our Francophones transcribe it in error free French for me?

[Djedj]

Bonsoir Chris,

Great stuff !

Here's what it reads :

"Excellent soldat, a soutenu le moral de ses camarades pendant une violente contre-attaque ennemie pendant 5 heures avec une mitrailleuse ennemie. D?cor? de la M?daille Militaire. Sign? G?n?ral G?rard.

Citation ? la Division. No.89 23-5-15.

Excellent soldier, supported the morale of his comrades during a violent ennemy counter-attack for 5 hours with an ennemy machine-gun. (...)

Excellent soldat, a fait preuve de sang-froid et d'?nergie, a tenu l'attaque avec tous ses camarades de son escouade et sauv? le Commandant du 72e d'Infanterie qui ?tait entre les lignes fran?aises et ennemies. Sign?, G?n?ral G?rard

Citation ordre du R?giment No.96 13-11-16 4e Zouaves.

Excellent soldier, showed cold-blood and energy, checked the attack with all his comrades from his squad and saved the Commanding-Officer of the 72nd Infantry Regiment who was between the French lines and the ennemy lines (...)

Chef d'?quipe des Grenadiers s'est particuli?rement distingu? pendant les journ?es du 24 au 26 octobre 1916.

Le Lieutenant Colonel Commandant le 4e Zouaves Michaud."

Team leader of the Grenadiers, particularly distinguished himself during the days from the 24 to the 26th October 1916 (...)

Meilleures salutations,

J?r?me

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

thanks for the help.

It has been confusing me for some time. I assume the 2nd citation must be from an action in 1916.... but cannot find the 4th Zouaves sharing a sector with the 72eme RI...

[Chris Boonzaier]

I think there is an error on the doc.... the only time thee regts were in the same sectot was october-November 1917 (not 16) where they fought in the battle at La Malmaison.

Seems to fit.

[Vatjan]

The ribbon on the top is probably a wound badge, which officially is only a ribbon, but later became an unofficial medal.

Jan

Here's a pic from the "Symbol et Traditions" journal

(if anyone has a copyright problem with this, please let me know and I'll remove the pic)

The top "bar" was worn seperatly as a wound badge

Edited December 26, 2007 by Vatjan