A couple from Vichy

[graham]

Just a couple of medals to share from Vichy France. The Vichy Combatants Cross:

[graham]

And the Vichy War Cross 1939 - 1940

Edited February 17, 2021 by graham

[chechaco1]

Good!

[ChrisKelly]

These are mine.  I don't know if any are reproductions... I don't collect French medals.

[Megan]

Not often seen, as you aren't allowed to wear them in France.

 

Vichy Croix de Guerre... instituted 28 March 1941 by Pétain. Same as the official one (instituted 1939) except for the dates on the reverse - 1939-1940 - and the ribbon (green with 5 black stripes). The wearing of the official Croix de Guerre was banned in Vichy France from 1 July 1941, but an Honour Council was instituted to review all awards from 1939 and the Vichy version bestowed if the act was deemed acceptable.

 

There were several versions, yours is an early one with "Marianne" on the obverse. She was eventually rreplaced by the symbol of the "Francisque", the double bladed axe, with the inscription ETAT FRANÇAIS. The dates on the reverse also changed: 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944 being known.

 

The other medal you have is the Vichy version of the Croix du Combattant, also instituted on 28 March 1941. That too differed from the official version only by the dates on the reverse (1939-1940) and the ribbon (pale blue with black edges and 3 black stripes.

 

The pin is the Ordre de la Francisque Gallique. This was instituted on 26 May 1941 as the highest award of Vichy France. It was awarded to those who had participated in actions before the war which were in accordance with the principles of the National Revolution, also for services to the French Marshal since the outbreak of war and to those who performed brilliant deeds of military or civil service, and was worn on the left jacket pocket in civilian or military clothing. Records have been lost, but it's believed that 2-3,000 were awarded.

 

De Gaulle banned the wearing of Vichy awards on 7 January 1944.