Miniature circular bronze medal with laterally-pierced loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a large letter ‘V’ (for Victory), a roaring lion’s head between its arms, the dates ‘1940 1945’ below, all within a laurel leaf border; the reverse inscribed ‘MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE DE LA GUERRE ◊ HERINNERINGSMEDAILLE VAN DE OORLOG 1940-1945’ (Commemorative Medal for the War of 1940-1945 in French and in Flemish) within a laurel leaf border; diameter 15.06mm (0.59 inch); on possibly replaced ribbon with bronze crossed sabres. The medal was instituted on 16 February 1946 to be awarded to all Belgians who saw service during World War II. The crossed sabres signify participation in the campaign of May 1940, later extended also to members of the armed resistance and the clandestine press.
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