French Croix De Guerre WW1

Description

French Croix de Guerre 1914–1918

The Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 is a French military decoration established in 1915 to honour individuals who distinguished themselves by acts of heroism in combat during the First World War. It was awarded to both French and Allied soldiers, as well as entire units, for bravery under fire.

Eligibility

Awarded to military personnel, and in some cases civilians, cited in army dispatches for acts of heroism involving combat with enemy forces between 1914 and 1918. It could also be granted posthumously or collectively to towns, cities, and units that displayed exceptional courage.

Medal Design

The medal consists of a bronze cross pattée with crossed swords between the arms. The central medallion bears the profile of the French Republic, surrounded by the words REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. The reverse is inscribed with the years 1914–1918.

Ribbon

The ribbon is green with multiple thin vertical red stripes, representing the blood of sacrifice on the field of honour and the green of hope and victory.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Medal history and eligibility Read the full guide to the French Croix De Guerre WW1: its history, who is eligible, and where it sits in the order of wear.

French Croix De Guerre WW1: mounting options explained

Every replica medal can be supplied loose or mounted ready to wear. Here's how the options differ, so you can choose the right one.

Court mounted Required for serving ADF members

The medals are fixed to a stiff backing board so they sit flat and stay in line while worn. It's the neatest presentation, and serving members of the Australian Defence Force are required to wear their medals court mounted.

Swing mounted Traditional style

Each medal hangs freely from its ribbon below a top bar. This was the usual style from the Boer War through to World War II, and there are no fixed rules about who can wear it.

Ribbon bar For everyday uniform wear

Just the ribbons, mounted in order of precedence on a small bar. Ribbon bars are worn on uniform day to day, when full medals would be impractical.

Unmounted Medal and ribbon supplied separately

The medal and ribbon come as separate parts, ready for you or your mounter to assemble. Full size medals come with 30cm of ribbon and miniatures with 15cm.

Full size or miniature?

Miniatures are mounted the same way at a smaller scale. They're worn at evening and formal events, generally anything after 6pm such as dinners, where full size medals would be impractical.

Pin or magnetic?

Every style comes with a traditional pin or a magnetic fitting. Magnetic mounts hold firmly without putting holes in your jacket or uniform, and are easier to put on and take off, which helps anyone with limited dexterity.