France - Republic of: A fine Second World War Liberation of France 1944-1945 French Navy Médaille Militaire group awarded to Marin (Sailor) Paul Bertin, Le Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins de Rochefort. His unit was formed in late 1944 from the marine elements of the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) and volunteers from the Charente region. The battalion numbered approximately 440 men. Its creation was in response to the need to block the mouth of the Charente River and neutralise the rear of enemy pockets. From December 1944, the marines took up positions around Rochefort and Fouras to prevent any German counter-attack attempt by sea. In April 1945, detachments participated in the fierce fighting to liberate the Royan pocket and the La Coubre forest. On April 30, 1945, the battalion took part in Operation Jupiter, the amphibious landing that led to the liberation of the Île d’Oléron. The battalion carried out harassment operations and surveillance missions on the front facing the La Rochelle pocket, which was one of the last French cities to be liberated on 8 May 1945.
Group of three awards: Médaille Militaire, 3rd Republic, 1870 to 1951 issue, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, of Second World War issue; Combatant’s Cross (Croix du Combattant) 1939-1940; Commemorative Medal for the War of 1939-1945; there is also a single ribbon length display on the bottom left. These awards are mounted together on a traditional French commemorative card used for such purposes of displaying awards earned, this printed in colour with the wording: ‘1939-1945 En Mémoire de la Grande Guerre’ with the usual patriotic wording, and photograph of the recipient in sailors uniform and cap, and with details of the recipient inscribed in ink: ‘Bertin, Paul, Classe 1944 Engage Solont, au Fusiliers Marins a fait Royan, Rochefort, La Rochelle, libere en 46.’ (Engage Solont, in the Fusiliers Marins, fought at Royan, Rochefort, La Rochelle, and was liberated in 1946)l.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Paul Bertin entered the military in 1944 as a Marin (Sailor) serving in the Le Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins de Rochefort. Formed in November 1944 from the marine elements of the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) and volunteers from the Charente region, this battalion of approximately 440 men was placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander Dupin de Saint-Cyr. Its creation was in response to the need to block the mouth of the Charente River and neutralise the rear of enemy pockets. From December 1944, the marines took up positions around Rochefort and Fouras to prevent any German counter-attack attempt by sea.
In April 1945, detachments participated in the fierce fighting to liberate the Royan pocket and the La Coubre forest. On April 30, 1945, the battalion took part in Operation Jupiter, the amphibious landing that led to the liberation of the Île d’Oléron. The battalion carried out harassment operations and surveillance missions on the front facing the La Rochelle pocket, which was one of the last French cities to be liberated on 8 May 1945.
The Military Medal ranks second amongst all French decorations, giving precedence only to the Legion of Honour (and an exception made for the Order of the Liberation). It was created by Louis Napoleon on 22 January 1852 and was novel in being specifically intended for non-commissioned officers and soldiers. It may be awarded for completion of eight years of military service, on receipt of a citation, for being wounded in combat and for acts of courage and devotion to duty.
The Commemorative Medal for the War of 1939-1945 was created on 21 May 1946 and awarded to military who participated between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 in the war against the Axis powers. The medal may receive any of 22 bars.
The Combatant’s Cross (Croix du Combattant) 1939-1940 was created on 28 June 1930 and intended for ‘all those who, at peril to their lives, defended the motherland’. Those holding the ‘Carte du Combattant’ had the right to wear the award.
