SCARCE WW2 FREE FRENCH VOLUNTEER SERVICE CROSS MEDAL FRANCE LIBRE ANTI NAZI FORCES

Description

Offered is an original Free French Forces Service Medal.

40mm high silvered bronze Cross of Lorraine with integral bar for ribbon suspension; the face with the inscription ‘FRANCE LIBRE’ (Free France); the reverse with the dates ‘18 JUIN 1940’ (18 June 1940) and ‘8 MAI 1945’ (8 May 1945), with bronze assay marks; on original ribbon.

The medal was created on 4 April 1946 to ‘commemorate the voluntary service rendered by civil and military French and foreigners who engaged in the Free French Forces prior to 1 August 1943 or served Free France effectively, whether in the territories under the authority of the National Committee in London or in foreign countries before 3 June 1943’.

The medal was awarded to Free French forces, including legionnaires and colonial forces in North Africa who engaged Rommel’s Afrika Korps.