An original full-size Belgian Croix de Feu medal, awarded to veterans of the First World War. Instituted in 1934, the Croix de Feu/Vuurkruis (“Cross of Fire”) was presented to Belgian soldiers who had been under enemy fire at the front line for a minimum qualifying period during the Great War. The bronze cross features the relief image of a deserted battlefield with at the forefront, the relief image of a World War 1 Belgian helmet over a bayonet, farther and on a slight elevation at left, a 75mm howitzer, and at upper right, the Sun breaking through clouds. On its reverse, a large laurel branch extending diagonally from bottom left to top right and bisected by the relief inscription on two lines in Latin “SALUS PATRIAE SUPREMA LEX” roughly translating into “THE NATION’S SALVATION IS OUR HIGHEST DUTY”.
Condition
Very good, with crisp detail to the cross and central lion motif.
