Commemorative Medal of the 1940–1945 War (Herinneringsmedaille van de Oorlog 1940–1945)

Original Commemorative Medal of the War 1940–1945 (Herinneringsmedaille van de Oorlog 1940–1945). This is an official Belgian military decoration established by Royal Decree of the Prince Regent on 16 February 1945. It was awarded to Belgian servicemen and women who served during the Second World War.

The medal was also granted to members of the Belgian Resistance, the Merchant Navy, and later to certain foreign recipients of the Belgian War Cross.

Award Criteria

This medal recognized participation and service during WWII and was awarded to:

• Members of the Belgian Armed Forces

• Resistance fighters

• Personnel of the Belgian Merchant Navy supporting the Allied cause

• Eligible foreign recipients (by later decree)

Design & Characteristics

• Material: Bronze

• Diameter: approx. 38 mm

Obverse:

• Prominent “V” for Victory

• Inside the V: a roaring Belgian lion

• Dates “1940” (left) and “1945” (right)

• Surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory and honor

Reverse:

• Bilingual inscriptions:

  • “MEDAILLE COMMEMORATIVE” (French)

  • “HERINNERINGSMEDAILLE” (Dutch)

• Central text between bars:

  • “DE LA GUERRE / VAN DER OORLOG”

• Center: “1940–1945”

• Encircled by a raised border

Ribbon

• Base color: Yellow moiré silk

• Edges: Stripes of yellow, black, white, and black

• Distinctive and symbolic of Belgium during WWII

Ribbon Devices

Various devices and bars could be added to the ribbon to denote specific wartime service, campaigns, or distinctions, making each medal potentially unique to the recipient’s service record.

Condition: As seen in the images.

A highly collectible and historically significant Belgian WWII decoration, ideal for collectors of resistance, military, and Allied wartime memorabilia.