A Rare 1940 French Medal For Defence Of Gembloux

Bronze, Greek cross base, obverse illustrating a five-pointed Moroccan star piercing a swastika, inscribed "VINCERE SCIS", surrounded by an open-ended wreath, oak leaves on the left and laurel leaves on the right and engraver marked "MAURICE AVRIL", reverse illustrating a large cross and inscribed "14-16 MAI GEMBLOUX 1940" with oak and laurel leaves in the corners, 39.5 mm, original ribbon, extremely fine.

Footnote: The medal was created on April 7, 1956 by the Council of the town of Gembloux on the recommendation of the Franco-Belgian Committee entrusted with commemorating the fierce fighting in the region in May 1940 against the invading German army. The Panzers under von Kluge were stopped with great bravery at Gembloux, largely by Moroccan forces with the loss of 2,250 men. Their sacrifice and courage is commemorated to this day in regular events at the war cemetery at Chastre near Gembloux. In the end, the turning of the allied flank by Guderian in the Ardennes led to German victory in June 1940. The medal was awarded to veterans of the 1st French Army involved, principally to the Moroccan Division and the 15th Infantry Division.