Luxembourg War Cross
Encyclopedia
The Luxembourg War Cross is a military decoration of Luxembourg
which was first created on 17 April 1945 by the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. The War Cross recognizes military service and feats of bravery performed between the years of 1940 and 1945. The concept of the medal was based on the French Croix de guerre
and the medal is often referred to as the Luxembourg Croix de guerre.
The Luxembourg War Cross was bestowed to both Luxembourg citizens and service members of the Allied Forces who liberated Luxembourg from German
occupation. The Luxembourg War Cross was one of the rarest of foreign decorations to be bestowed upon allied troops due to the small number of combat operations which took place in Luxembourg, in contrast to major fighting in such places as Belgium
, France
, and Germany. In addition to the War Cross Medal, a War Cross unit citation also exists which may be bestowed upon military units who perform feats of bravery equal to those which would be required for presentation of the individual award.
design. On the obverse side it has a crown with a large letter "C" on it. The reverse side of it has the number "1940". The cross has crossed swords running inside it, also made of the dark bronze.
. To represent the unit's receipt of the award a streamer
in the same colors as the ribbon is carried on the unit's standard
.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
which was first created on 17 April 1945 by the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. The War Cross recognizes military service and feats of bravery performed between the years of 1940 and 1945. The concept of the medal was based on the French Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and the medal is often referred to as the Luxembourg Croix de guerre.
The Luxembourg War Cross was bestowed to both Luxembourg citizens and service members of the Allied Forces who liberated Luxembourg from German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
occupation. The Luxembourg War Cross was one of the rarest of foreign decorations to be bestowed upon allied troops due to the small number of combat operations which took place in Luxembourg, in contrast to major fighting in such places as Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Germany. In addition to the War Cross Medal, a War Cross unit citation also exists which may be bestowed upon military units who perform feats of bravery equal to those which would be required for presentation of the individual award.
Medal
The medal is a dark bronze cross that is in the Cross pattéeCross pattée
A cross pattée is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the centre, and broader at the perimeter. An early English example from the start of the age of heraldry proper A cross pattée (or "cross patty", known also as "cross formée/formy") is a type of cross which has arms narrow at the...
design. On the obverse side it has a crown with a large letter "C" on it. The reverse side of it has the number "1940". The cross has crossed swords running inside it, also made of the dark bronze.
Unit Citation
When awarded to a military unit the award is known as the Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit award. Members of the unit wear the award in the form of a blue and yellow ribbon, enclosed within a gold frameGold frame
A gold frame is an attachment to a military decoration which is issued by most of the world’s militaries. The gold frame is designed to enclose an award ribbon and is usually a means of distinguishing the ribbon’s special quality or denoting some additional achievement to the award's basic...
. To represent the unit's receipt of the award a streamer
Campaign streamer
Campaign streamers are decorations attached to military flags to recognize particular achievements or events of a military unit or service. Attached to the headpiece of the assigned flag, the streamer often is an inscribed ribbon with the name and date denoting participation in a particular battle,...
in the same colors as the ribbon is carried on the unit's standard
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
.