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Description: | piece : design : warrior, naked, being taken down from a swastika cross by two angels. The warrior holds a sword in his
left hand, his right being nailed to the upper vertical arm of the cross. One angel, left, holds a shroud the other, right, a laurel
wreath. In the background, left, a cross of Lorraine and, right, a stylised medieval tower. Above the principal design elements a scroll
inscribed "AGDE.NASIM.PADLYM.2P.PL." and shield bearing a two-tailed lion rampant. Around the raised outer edge of piece
text
piece : text : "MARNE.1940.LOIRE" & "DUM.SACRIS.PATRIAE.LEGIBUS. OBSEQUIMUR"
This small medal commemorates the men of the 2nd Czechoslovak Infantry Battalion who lost their lives in the Battle of
France in 1940. Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke recalls in his diary being presented with a duplicate specimen on the 19 September 1941
during his visit to Czechoslovak forces ('a most efficient though somewhat dirty force') who were then based near Leamington, in
Warwickshire. He recorded that he was given the medal by the commander of the 2nd Battalion and that it depicted 'Czechosolvakia being
crucified on a swastika'. The Latin text is translated as 'While we follow the sacred laws of our country'. See also the medal replica
design of Fred Kormis, MEDP 5. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | 2 Battle of & 5/1940 = 6/1940 Second World War North West Europe & France CS.A & Bn commemorative | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Szobel, Geza | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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