France Croix de Guerre

[Jef]

Hello Gents,

Found this in " Le mirroir" of 4 April 1915. France wanted to institute a War Cross, but what model? This was a possibility. (First pic)

At the end this model was chosen (second pic). Taken from " Le Mirroir" of 2nd May 1915. Thought you would like to know this.

Kind regards from Flanders,

Jef

[PKeating]

Thanks for posting this, Jef. I think that today, they might have chosen the really ugly designs on the left, saying that the classic design on the right was too warlike and macho...

PK

[Veteran]

Jeff

You might be interested to know that half-a-dozen projects including the picture on the left were submitted to the selecting board.

The final choice proved very successful, although it was not particularly original (the Russian Order of Saint-Ann with swords was very much like it and had been in existence for decades).

Thanks for showing.

Veteran

[Jef]

Thank you for your reaction Prosper and Veteran. I agree there must have been more more projects. I only found this example. Concerning the final choice, also Belgium took the same model. I assume it was a kind of fashionsympton?

kind regards,

Jef

[Hugh]

Interesting to see that the caption states that the ribbon shall be red and yellow stripes. Of course, the final ribbon is green with red stripes.

Hugh

[Bison]

Hello

There have been several projects for the Croix de Guerre.

(Pictures from "La Marque du Courage", éditions LBM, Paris, 2005, ISBN 9 782915 347357)

No one was selected... and there has been a huge discussion about the cross which seemed to be similar to the shape of the Iron Cross! Anticlerical politicians were also against a cross-like medal!

Unanimity has been quickly made to use the same ribbon that the Sainte-Hélène Medal which was the campaign medal for the Veterans of the Army of Napoleon.

These projects can be seen in the Légion d'honneur museum in Paris.

Yours

Bison

Edited April 15, 2011 by Bison

[Chris Boonzaier]

I think they eneded up with a damned fine design in the end....

There are some ugly ones in that selection Bison posted!!

[Jef]

Most interesting, Bison. Thanks for showing. I agree with Chris, they have chosen one of the best.

Jef

[Tunneller]

Thanks for the information on the CDG. I have quite a collection on these medals along with the diplomas. I think they are a most under rated medal.

Jim