France: War Commemorative Medal 1939-45 (Medaille Commemorative 1939-1945). With clasps 'Italie' & 'Autriche'

The reverse of the medal with Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' logo and 'BR' (bronze) marks in lower field

Italy (Italie) clasp: This was awarded to personnel of the French Expeditionary Corps who had served in Italy and the island of Elba between 1943-1944

Note the official clasp 'Italie' was made obsolete in 1953, when the clasp was replaced by the institution of the 'Italy Campaign Medal' (Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Italie 1943-44). In practise, many Italy campaign veterans who had hitherto worn the clasp 'Italie' on their WW2 Commemorative Medal proudly continued to do so, even after the institution of the new 'retroactive' campaign medal for Italy!

A scarce seen short-lived campaign clasp to find on this Second World War campaign medal

Austria (Autriche) clasp. This a very scarce seen unofficial clasp 'Autriche' (Austria) worn by French personnel who served in Austria with the occupying forces 1945

A most interesting pair of clasps to be found on this war medal, including the uncommon 'Italie' & the scarce 'Autriche' clasps

Condition: About EF

Code: 24187