This is an early award of the second issue of this medal which was awarded to all Poles who had fought the Germans, at home as well as overseas.
Victory and Freedom Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Poland, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The DudeAuschwitz Cross
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Camp System, Poland, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The DudeThis medal, despite its name, was awarded to all victims who were interned in the German camp system. It was also awarded to some foreigners. The ring on this example is correct as it is formed in the pattern of barbed wire.
Table Medal for the 40th Anniversary of the Victory Over Nazi Germany
Posted in Plaques, Table Medals & Awards with tags Israel, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The Dude
This is an Israeli table medal commemorating the 40th anniversary of the defeat of the Germans in WW2 and the contribution of Jewish soldiers to that defeat.
East Asian Combat Service Medal 1942
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Thailand, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The Dude
This Thai medal was awarded to soldiers who were in the war zone. There was a ribbon device that indicated whether the recipient was actually under fire. Meh. The writing on it means “We fight for Thailands honour”.
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, 7th Class
Posted in 1945 + Medals with tags Civilian Medals, Thailand on April 25, 2013 by The DudeThis is the Khrueang Ratcha Itsariyaphon An Pen Thi Choet Chu Ying Chang Phueak or The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, 7th Class. It’s a Thailand order that is the most awarded in the country. In Thai the name is เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่เชิดชูยิ่งช้างเผือก. Ha. Say that out loud!
East Asia War Home Front Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Thailand, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The DudeThis is a Thai medal, issued to soldiers who took part in the war to take over Cambodia and Laos from the French after the fall of France. This was issued to those who crossed the border but didn’t actually do any fighting. What can I say?
Indochina Home Front War Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Thailand, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The DudeThis is a medal issued by Thailand to forces, mobilised for the takeover of French Indo-China in 1940 but never actually deployed to the war zone.
The Army’s War Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Brazil, Italian Campaign, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The Dude
This medal, from Brazil, was awarded to the men of the BEF “Força Expedicionaria Brasileira” who deployed to Italy to join the Allies in fighting the Nazi’s. Miserably prepared by their government these men were fortunate to be taken under the care of the Americans who had to struggle to even find combat boots to fit the small feet of the Brazilians. They were well led however and undoubtably brave in combat considering their complete lack of experience.
The Brazilian Expeditionary Force Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Brazil, Italian Campaign, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued to the personnel who made up the “Força Expedicionaria Brasileira“. It’s not commonly known that these soldiers served in Italy fighting the Germans.
Prisoner of War Medal 1940–1945
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, Camp System, WW2 on April 25, 2013 by The Dude
This is the “Médaille du Prisonnier de Guerre 1940–1945” awarded to all members of the Belgian armed forces imprisoned by the Axis.
Commemorative Medal of the War 1940–1945 with Crossed Sabers
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the “Médaille Commémorative de la Guerre 1940–45″. The crossed sabres denoting combat service in the 1940 campaign or service in the armed resistance. There is another variant below. The design of these Belgian medals is just so much more impressive than the British Commonwealth ones that I am used to.
Fire Cross 1914–1918
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW1 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the “Croix du Feu 1914–1918″. It was awarded to all Belgian soldiers of the First World War who actually served under fire in the frontline trenches. It is also one of my favourite medals simply because of it’s beautiful design elements.
Volunteer’s Medal 1940–1945 Variant 2
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal, the Médaille du Volontaire 1940–1945″ was awarded to all voluntary members of Belgian armed forces in WW2 whether they fought under the Belgian flag or in foreign units like the RAF. This is the second variant with the full figure on the obverse.
Volunteer’s Medal 1940–1945 Variant 1
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal, the Médaille du Volontaire 1940–1945″ was awarded to all voluntary members of Belgian armed forces in WW2 whether they fought under the Belgian flag or in foreign units like the RAF.
1940–1945 Military Combatant’s Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal, the “Médaille du Combattant Militaire de la Guerre 1940–1945″ was awarded to all members of the Belgian armed forces and resistance who fought from England during WW2.
Commemorative Medal of the War 1940–1945 with Crossed Sabers and Ronsele Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the “Médaille Commémorative de la Guerre 1940–45″. The crossed sabres denoting combat service in the 1940 campaign or service in the armed resistance. There is an excellent collection belonging to Bill Simpson here.
The Resistance Medal 1940-1945
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the “Médaille de la Résistance 1940–1945“. It was awarded to all members of the active resistance as well as intelligence operators in occupied areas.
1940–1945 African War Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Belgium, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was awarded primarily to officers and men who served during the period 1940-1945 in Belgium’s colonies in the Congo and Rwanda. It was awarded for other service areas like Burma, the Middle East and Madagascar and bars were provided for this service.
The War Commemorative Cross with Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Oost-Azië/Zuid-Pacific 1942-1945 bar.
The Resistance Star, East Asia, 1942-45
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is a pretty cool looking medal and a pretty rare one. It is the East Asia Star, awarded for those involved in the resistance against the Japanese occupation in the Dutch East Indies from 1942 to 1945.
The War Commemorative Cross with Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Oorlogsdienst Visserij 1940-1945 bar.
The War Commemorative Cross with Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued with a number of bars. This one is with the Krijg Te Land 1940-1945 bar. Note the unusual mounting of this medal compared to my other examples below.
The Air Defence Service Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is a pretty little medal, created by the Dutch version of the ARP or RLB to reward good service in air raid protection between 1940 and 1945. One of my favourites, the image on the front is of a woman shielding children from overhead aircraft.
Municipality of Seraing Medal of Recognition 1940-45
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Belgium, Unofficial, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeSeraing is a Walloon community in Belgium. In 1945 the worthies of the town decided to have this medal struck and passed out to whoever they felt grateful too, mostly war veterans from what my googling tells me.
The Mobilization War Cross
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Netherlands, WW2 on April 24, 2013 by The DudeThis is the Dutch Mobilization War Cross. It was awarded to all those who served during the mobilization of 1939-1940 but were not entitled to the War Commemorative Cross.
Kiwi Medals 