[HerrScheisse]

Belgium, most recently in the news for breaking the world record in government formation...ironically the motto of the country is "strength through unity". These days - anything but.
But...the place does have a rich history. Colonialism, two worlds wars, Korea, Nato HQ means a wealth of military awards and medals and mostly quite affordable. Throw the monarchy into the mix and you have knighthoods and civilian merit awards.

So below in this thread, some of the items I have collected on that country.


Il y a en Belgique, des Wallons et des Flamands; Il n'y a pas de Belges.
- Jules Destree

In Belgium, there are Walloons and Flemish. There are no Belgians.

[HerrScheisse]

The commemoration medal of WW2 - this version, judging buy the tags on the ribbon, was awarded to a resistance fighter.

[HerrScheisse]

The award to the political prisoner of WW2, the stars on the ribbon bar signify the length of time detained, each star equivalent to 6 months.

[HerrScheisse]

This cross was awarded to persons deported during WW1 for forced labour. The horizontal arms of the cross bear the years of conflict 1914-1918.

[HerrScheisse]

Awarded to the defenders of the city of Liege. the front contains the text "la ville de liége a ses vaillants defenseurs" - Liege and its valiant defenders.
The rear depicts a rather apocalyptic scene from the front line.

[HerrScheisse]

Awarded to persons that volunteered for military service during WW2. The front side bears a volunteer with a backdrop of a large "V" (Vrijwilliger = Volunteer)

[HerrScheisse]

The centenary medal from foundation of the state in 1830 to first century celebrations of 1930. It show three Kings in profile, Leopold I, Leopold II (he of Congo infamy) and Albert I. The ribbon displays the national colours.

Just love the patina on this one, it was worth buying for that alone.

[HerrScheisse]

The Order of Leopold II, in this case the variant is for a Knight. Crossed swords mean it was awarded during wartime.

[HerrScheisse]

Awarded for bravery in the face of the enemy. If the deed was mentioned in the military dispatches, then a bronze palm was appended to the ribbon.

[Jagdtiger]

Some very nice medals there with great designs!

I've always wanted to get some more Belgian medals, but ended up getting

swept up into German imperialism.

[HerrScheisse]

There will be more in the days ahead Just picked up a batch and photographed them all!

Polish stuff - that is another country I want to collect more of.

[HerrScheisse]

The Yser campaign medal from 1914 whereby the "race to the sea" was brought to an abrupt end and four years of stalemate and slaughter set in.

One of my favorite items, it is both ugly and strangely beautiful at the same time;

[HerrScheisse]

Awarded for acts of resistance to the occupying forces in 1940-1945. The ribbon colour is symbolic - black for occupation, red for the blood shed, green for hope.

[HerrScheisse]

Commemorates the conflict of 1914 -1918 and awarded under the same conditions as the victory medal. I have two of these with different patinas.

Shiny like new:





Like an old copper 2 pence coin:

[HerrScheisse]

Awarded to those that came under fire on the front line. There are three versions of this medal, but the differences are very slight. It is a good solid piece, quite heavy and chunky.