War Cross (Belgium)
Encyclopedia
The Belgian War Cross established on 25 October 1915 is a military decoration
of the Kingdom of Belgium. Presented primarily as an award for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was reestablished on 20 July 1940, by the Belgian Government in exile
in London, for recognition of bravery and military virtue during World War II
. The decoration could be awarded to units after this 1940 reestablishment.
During World War I, the Belgian War Cross was awarded to individuals only. It was awarded at different levels of command. The level of the awarding command determined the appurtenance
worn on the ribbon. A bronze lion awarded at the regimental level; a silver lion at the brigade level; a gold lion at the division level; a bronze palm indicates an award at the Army level. A silver palm was worn in place of five bronze palms.
During World War II the cross was allowed as a unit award, with the cross being presented to the units colors
, attached by a streamer
in the same color and pattern as the ribbon for the medal. The Belgian Fourragère
could be awarded by the Belgian Government if a unit was twice awarded the War Cross. Award of the fourragére was not automatic and requires a specific decree of the Belgian Government. The fourragére is the same colors as the ribbon for the War Cross. The Belgian fourragére was only worn by those who were members of the unit at the time of the award.
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
of the Kingdom of Belgium. Presented primarily as an award for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was reestablished on 20 July 1940, by the Belgian Government in exile
Government in exile
A government in exile is a political group that claims to be a country's legitimate government, but for various reasons is unable to exercise its legal power, and instead resides in a foreign country. Governments in exile usually operate under the assumption that they will one day return to their...
in London, for recognition of bravery and military virtue during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The decoration could be awarded to units after this 1940 reestablishment.
During World War I, the Belgian War Cross was awarded to individuals only. It was awarded at different levels of command. The level of the awarding command determined the appurtenance
Appurtenance
Appurtenances is a term for what belongs to and goes with something else, with the appurtenance being less significant than what it belongs to. The word ultimately derives from Latin appertinere, "to appertain"....
worn on the ribbon. A bronze lion awarded at the regimental level; a silver lion at the brigade level; a gold lion at the division level; a bronze palm indicates an award at the Army level. A silver palm was worn in place of five bronze palms.
During World War II the cross was allowed as a unit award, with the cross being presented to the units colors
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...
, attached by a streamer
Streamer
Streamer or streamers may refer to:* Pennon, a small pointed flag* Campaign streamer, flag used by military units* Paper streamer* Positive streamer, lightning bolt* Streamer moth, the geometer moth Anticlea derivata...
in the same color and pattern as the ribbon for the medal. The Belgian Fourragère
Fourragère
The fourragère is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, that is shaped as a braided cord. The award has been firstly adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.- History :...
could be awarded by the Belgian Government if a unit was twice awarded the War Cross. Award of the fourragére was not automatic and requires a specific decree of the Belgian Government. The fourragére is the same colors as the ribbon for the War Cross. The Belgian fourragére was only worn by those who were members of the unit at the time of the award.