French medals and insignia

Surprise

During the last Militaria auction it turned out that it is still possible to be surprised by an object. A framed collection of French military medals and insignia related to the First Indochina War (1946-1954) was entered into auction for €100, but was ultimately sold for €1,600.

Collection of medals and badges

The collection consists of two spangen medals and a few loose items, most likely from two different people. The first span of medals consists of from left to right: 'Médaille Militaire' (also called the Légion d'Honneur for the non-commissioned officer), 'Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations extérieurs', Médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Indochine , Médaille coloniale' with the buckle INDOCHINE , 'Croix de la Valeur Militaire', 'Médaille de la Défense Nationale' and the Vietnamese 'Croix de la Bravoure'. The second span consists of from left to right: 'Légion d'honneur' (model 3rd Republic) , the 'Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'opérations extérieurs', médaille commémorative de la campagne d'Indochine, 'Médaille coloniale' with the buckle TROUPES AEROPORTEES, the 'Croix du Combattant', the Vietnamese 'Croix de la Bravoure' and the Vietnamese 'Médaille des Blessés'.

Top left a photo of French soldiers in Indochina with a French identification plate. Below the shoulder decal EXTREME-ORIENT from top to bottom: certified paratrooper SAS Indochine, the Vietnamese Danh-D? B?i-Tinh Medal (Armed Forces Honor Medal) between two arm emblems of the infantry and marines (ecusson bras losange). Underneath two chest emblems, of the 1er régiment de parachutistes d'infanterie de marine and the 18th régiment de dragons, with a second French identity plate in between. Bottom right a military map of Indo China.