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Medal - Croix de guerre (France)

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Overview

French Croix de guerre (War Cross) is a military decoration of France first created in 1915. It is a cross pattée with crossed swords between the arms. Obverse: The centrepiece bearing the head of 'Marianne' of the French Republic facing right surrounded by 'REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' and a laurel wreath at the base. Reverse: The dates '1914 1918' on two lines in the centre circle. The Cross has a loose ring suspender fitted to a ball mount on the top arm. The ribbon for a World War 1 issue medal is a 37 mm green ribbon with seven red stripes.

Historical information

The Croix de guerre may be awarded to soldiers who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with the enemy and to those who have been "mentioned in dispatches". The Croix de guerre was also commonly bestowed on foreign military forces allied to France. A star on the award indicate a citation for bravery. A palm indicates a citation at Army level.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-359

Inscriptions and markings

The medal is issued unnamed

Contextual Information

Both Generals Hobbs and Monash were twice awarded the French Croix de guerre with palm by France. Monash wore one medal with two palms on the ribbon to indicate both awards. General Hobbs wore two separate medals. The Australian Army Museum of WA has General Hobbs' miniature medals mounted with two Croix de guerre in its collection.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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