UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Medals & Badges of the Third Reich Forum French Participation in Norway

I have these 5 French-Norway medals in my collection.

One is a pin, 2 large liberation medals and 2 small medals, differing only in the bars on the ribbons.

This post is for Militarynut (Andy).

yes he was telling me about them.. I haven't been able to see them until now.

I have never seen such pieces. They are very nice! and especially with the matching mini!

The significance of the Rooster?

Gaspare,

The rooster is a symbol of France. So is the Cross of Lorraine in the background behind the rooster



Interesting series of clasps on the medals

Top: Large - Liberation / Norway / France

Second: Small - Liberation / France / Great Britain

Third: Large - Norway

Fourth: Small - North Sea / Norway

That last one with "MER DU NORD" (North Sea) might be a Navy award

I wonder if this is a general French end-of-WWII medal rather than a specific Norway medal. The reverses all say French Republic - War of 1939-1945

More Later when I have Time

This link should answer questions on the medals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1939%E2%80%931945_Commemorative_war_medal_(France)

The buttonhole (fob) award ?

derjager is Right !



It was a general medal rather than Norway specific

From the Internet: The 1939?1945 Commemorative war medal was awarded to all soldiers serving under French authority or under a French government in a state of war against the Axis nations, or present on board a warship or armed merchant vessel under these same authorities and/or governments; to French citizens, whether military or civilian, who fought against the Axis forces or their representatives; to foreign military who served as Frenchmen in formations at war against the Axis forces. Some of the possible clasps:

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

NORV?GE (English: NORWAY) for operations between 12 April 1940 and 17 June 1940

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

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

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

These examples are much faded. The original:

The French enameled pocket insignia is from 2001. In French:

Insigne de la promotion ?Campagne de Norv?ge? du 4e bataillon de l'ESM de Saint-Cyr de 2001. Il ?voque la participation fran?aise en 1940 ? une force franco-polonaise formant le corps exp?ditionnaire en Scandinavie. On trouve sur l'insigne la grenade de la demi-brigade de marche des volontaires de la L?gion ?trang?re (13e DBMLE), ainsi que le corps pour les deux demi-bigades de Chasseurs alpins, sur un fond reprenant le drapeau norv?gien (? gauche) et l'insigne de l'ESM Saint-Cyr (? droite) avec l'?p?e des officiers, pour cette promotion particuli?re qui r?unit les derniers EOR (?l?ves officiers de r?serve) et les premiers OSC (officiers sous contrat).

It honors the French participation in 1940 of a French-Polish expeditionary corps in Scandinavia. On the insignia is the flaming grenade of the Foreign Legion's 13th ? brigade, the horn of the french mountain troops, and the sword of Saint-Cyr.

Dave

The french liberation medal with the clasp Norvege was also awarded to norwegian soldiers under french command in the Narvik campaign 1940.
General Bethouart was set as expeditionary Commander in Chief for the capture of Narvik.

hi dave
members i have same medal as described above only difference in mine is the ribbon has the powder blue in middle of ribbon but on the left and rhe right side od the ribbon mine has the red outside but silver cord instead of the above medals that have green color is there any significens in the different color also my medal is in unissued condition hope you guys can help thanks god bless andy