Légion des Volontaires Français

Below is an interesting picture showing French Legionnaires departing to the Eastern Front. All of them wearing their distinctive beret. Next to it is the oficial French National shield BeVo pattern instituted in July 1941.

French Volunteer Legion

French Volunteer Legion and Vichy Awards

Interesting metal LVF badge worn on both collars and as a beret badge (with French uniform only). This device is a shield surmounted by a Norman helmet with upward pointing sword and the L.V.F. abbreviation.

Many Frenchmen that served with the Germans were awarded with German military decorations and military decorations sanction by the Vichy Government.
French Legionnaires were also allowed to wear their awards and decorations on German uniforms.

Croix de Guerre Legionnaire

This extremely rare Vichy Award was instituted in March 1942 in recognition for the heroic military contribution of the French Volunteer Legion, Legion Tricolore and Phalange Africane.

However, according to Robert Forbes excellent book "Pour L'Europe" the award was officially recognised by the Vichy Government on 18 July 1942.

This war cross was privately commissioned and produced by the firm "Arthus Bertrand & Co." and perhaps the "Monnaie de Paris" (Paris Mint), although recognised by the Vichy government it was not an official award

The Cross is formed from parts of the overall 1939 "Croix de Guerre" model and measures 38.0mm. The swords were removed and substituted by a stylized laurel crown 25mm outer diameter that is linked in the bottom. Each side of the crown is made of 12 leaves and is die stamped. The center medallion piece was replaced by another medallion piece 14mm in diameter that shows an emblem of the French Tricolore. It shows the Vichy style eagle with a shield in the center holding four flashes.

The reverse of the circular piece contains the inscription "CROIX/DE GUERRE/LEGIONNAIRE. The color of the war cross is light color bronze.

The medal is held by a green ribbon of 37.5mm width showing on each side a vertical black strip and seven vertical black stripes. On the ribbon were affixed the attributes of the citations in the same way as the 1939 war cross (palm and stars). It is estimated that about 400 "Croix de Guerre Legionnaire" crosses were awarded.

Considering the rarity of the war cross numerous forgeries have been made. Originals can be detected by carefully inspecting the interior of the lower crossed arms some damage caused by the removal of the swords should be visible. Volume one of Littlejohn's book Foreign Legion of the Third Reich shows a picture of a reproduction "Croix de Guerre Legionnaire" notice that the center medallion piece shows the Vichy eagle, which is quite different from the original one. Volume two shows a picture of an original in the addendum section.

This cross obviously became prohibited after the war ended and was removed in accordance with the Decree of 7 January 1944.
According to some sources the firm "Arthus Bertrand" still has the dies but it is very unlikely ever to be put to use again.

Francisque Gallique

The "Francisque Gallique" was the highest Vichy national award equivalent to the "Legion de Honor." The award was instituted on 26 May 1941 and was rendered for the following reasons:
1. to those persons who had participated in actions before the war, which conformed to the Principles of the National Revolution.
2. to those who have shown since the war an active attachment to the person and work of the Marshal.
3. and to those who have performed brilliant deeds of military or civic service.

The Francisque Gallique is a small enameled badge measuring 24mm x 21mm.

The reverse of the badge shows the marking "A. AUGIS-28-M TEE SI BARTHELEMY-LYON." It should be noted that these badges were never numbered.

French servicemen who had won the "Croix de Guerre"and the "Croix du Combattant" in the 1939-1940 war with Germany before the armistice of June 22, 1940, and who choose to serve in the French armed forces under the Vichy regime had to exchange their Republican awards for the Vichy versions.

This cross was created by the Vichy government on March 28, 1941. It has the same designed as the 1939 type with the exception that on the reverse of the center medallion piece shows the 1939/1940 inscription.
In addition A new ribbon was made, light blue color with black edges and three narrow black stripes.

The original combatants war cross of "1939-1945" was restored accordance with the Decree of 29 January 1948.

The Milice Français was formed in December 1942; this security force was loyal to the Vichy Government and dealt with all matters relating to the Communist and Resistance groups or internal threat.

The Milice was divided into three main groups:
(1) The Franc-Garde
(2) Les Miliciennes (Women's Section)
(3) Avant-Garde Milicienne (Youth Branch)

The uniform of the Milice was a dark blue tunic, dark blue beret, khaki shirt, black tie and dark blue pants. The emblem is a stylized gamma in a circle., the symbol represented the power and energy of a reborn France.

The breast badge shown was worn by the Groupe Spécial de Sécurité, which was created in 1943. The Milice emblem is enameled and has a black bordered edge with a white shield center. In the center it has a silver death's head, black gamma, and "G.S." surmounted by the silver inscription "Devant." It was made by the Paris firm "DuFrene."