|
Date: |
|
Description: | very small characters : ARGENT
obverse design : soldiers, two French infantrymen wearing képis and greatcoats, advancing from left to right with rifles
and fixed bayonets. Above and behind them the figure of St Joan of Arc, facing right, holding a French flag in her right hand and sword in
her left
obverse text : "LE JOUR DE GLOIRE"
reverse design : Rheims Cathedral, view of, smoke issuing from behind the two west towers
First World War French medal by Emile Dropsy (1843-1923) commemorating the re-capture of Rheims by forces of the French
Fifth Army (under General Franchet d'Esperey) in September 1914. German troops had previously ransacked the historic city during their week
long occupation and on their withdrawal subjected it to intense artillery bombardments. Dropsy's imagery ascribes a supernatural assistance
to the relieving French Army in the inspirational form of the St Joan. The text is translated as 'The day of glory'. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | FR.A Defence of & 9/1914 commemorative First World War Western Front & German Offensive 1914 & Rheims | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Dropsy, Emile | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
|
|