Kingdom of Greece Commemorative War Medal 1940–1941, Army Issue, Gold Class

Kingdom of Greece Commemorative War Medal 1940–1941, Army Issue, Gold Class. Greek Second World War commemorative medal established under the royal government to recognise military service during the Greco-Italian War and subsequent defence of Greece, from the outbreak of hostilities in October 1940 until the fall of Crete in 1941. The medal was formally instituted by Royal Decree on 19 August 1947 and recognised the service of the Royal Hellenic Armed Forces, as well as eligible foreign personnel who fought on Greek soil.

The Army issue features the profile of King George II of Greece on the obverse, surrounded by a laurel wreath surmounted by a royal crown. The reverse bears the Greek inscription identifying the principal land theatres of operations: Epirus, Albania, Macedonia, Thrace and Crete, together with the dates 1940–1941. The medal commemorates the Greek Army’s resistance to the Italian invasion and the subsequent campaigns against Axis forces. The gold-class version is distinguished by its gilt appearance from the bronze issue. The royal portrait and crowned wreath identify this as the Kingdom of Greece pattern, preceding the revised republican design introduced in 1983. This medal is of interest to collectors of Greek military decorations, Second World War campaign medals and Allied militaria associated with the Greek and Cretan campaigns.

Condition

Very good. Please refer to the photographs for details of the medal’s gilt surface, relief detail, suspension ring and ribbon.