1939-45 Commemorative Medal

[Bill Harris]

Hello,

I am not very conversant with French medals, so I apologize if this is very basic knowledge.

 

I do not collect French medals per se, but I am interested in the 1939-45 Commemorative Medal because I like the various clasps. But I see many different styles with these clasps: some with large text, some with small, some with a beaded edge, and some with solid. I’m unsure if these are simply made by different makers for private sale, or whether they are fakes made to deceive collectors (especially with the rarer clasps like URSS). How would one know?

 

Are there reference books related to this medal (in French or English) that might be useful?

[Bill Harris]

For example, here are two pictures showing some of the variations I have observed: small text vs large text, beaded edge vs sold edge.

[ChrisKelly]

From my collection:

 

[Bill Harris]

Thank you. Some obvious variations with those too.

[No one]

Dear Bill Harris,

 

There are numerous makers, all of whom have their own designs.

 

Here are the official clasp:

 

Twelve operational theatre clasps can be worn on the ribbon:

FRANCE (English: FRANCE) for operations between 3 September 1939 and 25 June 1940;

NORVÈGE (English: NORWAY) for operations between 12 April 1940 and 17 June 1940;

AFRIQUE (English: AFRICA) for operations between 25 June 1940 and 13 May 1943;

LIBÉRATION (English: LIBERATION) for operations in Corsica or in the French Campaign between 25 June 1940 and 8 May 1945;

ALLEMAGNE (English: GERMANY) for operations between 14 September 1944 and 8 May 1945;

EXTRÊME-ORIENT (English: FAR EAST) for operations (including in the Indian and Pacific oceans) between 7 December 1941 and 15 August 1945;

GRANDE-BRETAGNE (English: GREAT BRITAIN) for operations between 25 June 1940 and 8 May 1945;

URSS (English: USSR) for operations in the Normandie-Niemen fighter wing between 28 November 1942 and 8 May 1945;

ATLANTIQUE (English: ATLANTIC) for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;

MANCHE (English: ENGLISH CHANNEL) for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;

MER DU NORD (English: NORTH SEA) for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945;

MÉDITERRANÉE (English: MEDITERRANEAN) for naval operations between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945.

The clasp "ITALIE" (English: ITALY) was repealed in 1953 following the establishment of the 1943-1944 Italian campaign medal.

Seven other clasps bearing the years "1939", "1940", "1941", "1942", "1943", "1944" and "1945" were available when the deed to commemorate took part outside the theatre and/or dates cited above.

Two further clasps were authorised for wear on the 1939–1945 commemorative war medal:

DÉFENSE PASSIVE (English: PASSIVE DEFENCE) for those receiving an invalid's pension following injury from work aimed at the protection of the civilian population (decree of 2 August 1949).

ENGAGÉ VOLONTAIRE (English: VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE) for those able to prove they voluntarily enlisted for service in the 1939-1945 war.

 

Note:

 

There are also unofficial bars such as "Italie 1943", "Ile d'Elbe", or "Autriche" (non-exhaustive list) certainly made at the request of soldiers who wanted to mark their participation in certain specific phases of the conflict.

 

Médaille commémorative française de la guerre 1939-1945 — Wikipédia

 

Yours sincerely,

No one