Inter-Allied Victory Medal (Greece)

The Inter-Allied Victory Medal (Greek: Διασυμμαχικόν Μετάλλιον της Νίκης) is a campaign medal issued by Greece, commemorating the Allied victory in the First World War.[1]

Obverse (left) and reverse (right) views of the medal

Greek award

The medal is the Greek version of a common design used among all Allied nations, following a proposal made by Marshal Ferdinand Foch, who was supreme commander of the Allied Forces during the war.[1] In Greece, the medal was instituted by Law 2481 on 22 September 1920 (O.S.).[1]

Each medal, in bronze, has the same diameter (36 mm) and ribbon (double rainbow), but with a national design representing a winged Victory. The Greek version of the medal was designed by Henry-Eugène Nocq.

It features an ancient Greek-style Victory on the obverse, and on the reverse the circular inscription Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΥΠΕΡ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΣ 1914—1918 ('The Great War for Civilisation, 1914–1918') around the edge, and in the centre a list of the Allied nations, under the title ΣΥΜΜΑΧΟΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΤΑΙΡΟΙ ('Allies and Partners').[1] It was widely awarded to Greek military personnel that fought for at least three months, or was wounded in action, not only in the First World War, but also in the Allies' Southern Russia intervention, and the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922.[1]

International award
Country Designer Manufacturer Number issued
Belgium Paul Du Bois (1859–1938) ----- 300,000 – 350,000
Brazil Jorge Soubre (1890–1934) approximately 2,500
Cuba Charles Charles
  • Etablissements Chobillon
 6,000 – 7,000
Czechoslovakia Otakar Španiel (1881–1955)
  • Kremnice Mint
 approximately 89,500
France Pierre-Alexandre Morlon (1878–1951)
  • Monnaie de Paris
 approximately 2,000,000
France[2] Charles Charles
  • Etablissements Chobillon
 -----
France[3]
  • M. Pautot
  • Louis Octave Mattei
 ----- -----
Great Britain[4] William McMillan (1887–1977)
  • Woolwich Arsenal
  • Wright & Son
 6,334,522 plus
Greece Henry-Eugène Nocq (1868–1944)
  • V. Canale
 approximately 200,000
Italy Gaetano Orsolini (1884–1954)
  • Sacchini-Milano
  • S.Johnson-Milano
  • F.M.Lorioli & Castelli-Milano
 approximately 2,000,000
Japan[5] Shoukichi Hata
  • Osaka Mint
 approximately 700,000
Poland[6] .... Vlaitov
  • Mint Kremnica
 -----
Portugal João Da Silva (1880–1960)
  • Da Costa
 approximately 100,000
Rumania .... Kristesko ----- approximately 300,000
Siam (Thailand) Itthithepsan Kritakara (1890–1935) ----- approximately 1,500
South Africa[7] William McMillan (1887–1977)
  • Woolwich Arsenal
 approximately 75,000
United States James Earle Fraser (1876–1953)
  • Arts Metal Works Inc.
  • S.G.Adams Stamp & Stationary Co.
  • Jos. Mayer Inc.
 approximately 2,500,000

(Main source : The interallied victory medals of world war I by Alexander J. Laslo, Dorado Publishing, Albuquerque. 1986 Edition )

References
  1. Papadakis 1934, p. 244.
  2. Unofficial type.
  3. Unofficial type.
  4. Awarded not only to British combatants but as well to those from the dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and those from the Empire of India.
  5. On the obverse the winged figure of Victory was replaced by a warrior holding a spear.
  6. For reasons still not known, Poland did not proceed with the manufacture of the medal at their mint. The medal shows a clearly visible "MK" ( Mint Kremnica). The medal may possibly be an unofficial strike by a veteran’s group.
  7. The text on the reverse is in English and Dutch.

Sources
  • George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, ISBN 960-85054-0-2.
  • Papadakis, V. P. (1934). "Παράσημα" [Decorations]. Μεγάλη Ἐλληνικὴ Ἐγκυκλοπαιδεῖα, Τόμος Δέκατος. Ἑλλάς – Ἑλληνισμὸς (in Greek). Athens: Pyrsos Co. Ltd. pp. 243–244.
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