France Croix de Guerre

[ccj]

For years I've enjoyed viewing and collecting the Croix de Guerre.

I like the variety found as it seems there were no regs stipulating the placement of stars and palms.

1915

[ccj]

1915 reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1916

[ccj]

1916 reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1916 another one

[ccj]

1916 reverse.

How'd the sword get bent? It doesn't move back into place by hand!!!

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1916 with palm

[ccj]

reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1916 with SILBER star

[ccj]

reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1917 with star, I think silver.

Focus was bad...

[ccj]

1917 reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1918

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reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

1918 with palm and 2 SILVER stars and 1 bronze star

[ccj]

reverse

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre

3 palms and 1 star

[ccj]

Croix de Guerre with 8 palms.

Sorry for the quality, I just can seem to get a good shot while medal is attached to the tunic.

[Boris]

Hello ccj. One doubt whit palms:

If five bronze palms are one siver palm, ?Is possible to wear in the ribbon eigth bronze palms?. ?Was it a real habit or is an arbitrary combination?. Anyway a man with a eigth palms in his croix have to be a big heroe... Congratulations for your collection... is a decoration really nice.

[ccj]

Hello ccj. One doubt whit palms:

If five bronze palms are one siver palm, ?Is possible to wear in the ribbon eigth bronze palms?. ?Was it a real habit or is an arbitrary combination?. Anyway a man with a eigth palms in his croix have to be a big heroe... Congratulations for your collection... is a decoration really nice.

Have you ever seen a CdG with the palms sewn on each end like the one I have with 8 palms? What level soldier received army level only awards?

Another question, did many generals receive the CgG and if so were they aways with palm?

******** Can anyone post images of Cdg Medals with multiple palms and stars? ********

Edited November 30, 2008 by ccj

[Boris]

Have you ever seen a CdG with the palms sewn on each end like the one I have with 8 palms? What level soldier received army level only awards?

Another question, did many generals receive the CgG and if so were they aways with palm?

******** Can anyone post images of Cdg Medals with multiple palms and stars? ********

The question is I think, what was necesary for an army-citation. If the silver palm exist, is possible to get five, at less one time. What is the equivalent in other armies?. If it is for acts in the face of enemy or for any service near war front or even just for merits in wartimes. I couldn't get any orden that especifically explain those questions that concern to the philosophy of one army or countrie and define his way to see the life. By example, how many cooks received a citacion

and why.

[Hendrik]

Hello Boris and Charles,

Theoretically 5 bronze palms had to be replaced by 1 silver palm. However, recipients in many cases preferred stacking their bronze palms and there seems to have been little objection to their doing so.

Eight palms almost certainly indicate an ace pilot (1 palm per air victory) ... the ordinary trench warfare soldier would nearly never survive that long.

I've never seen palms mounted that close together, usually they were spaced out a bit more on - if necessary - a super long ribbon.

The cross and its citations are mainly bravery awards but not strictly so, exceptional war service or leadership (for generals) also led to awards.

As requested, some more pictures coming up ...

[Hendrik]

Note the silver palm in the left picture (top palm) ...

And now for some specials :

A silver cross instead of the usual bronze one, non-official, of course.

[Hendrik]

And, currently residing in the Paris L?gion d'Honneur Museum :

If I recall correctly, it once belonged to a chap called Joffre ... you may have heard the name before

Cheers,

Hendrik

[ccj]

And, currently residing in the Paris L?gion d'Honneur Museum :

If I recall correctly, it once belonged to a chap called Joffre ... you may have heard the name before

Cheers,

Hendrik

WOW!!! Would Joffre have worn that version on his uniform? I wonder if it's a private purchase by Joffre or given to him by the gov't.