gboehm Posted 13 October , 2020 Share Posted 13 October , 2020 (edited) This is a very niche one. My great grand father fought for Germany during WW1. However, he was from Alsace which after the war was ceded to France. From what my father has told me, straight after the war he was incorporated into the French army and his Iron Crosses 2nd and 1st class were converted into a Croix de Guerre 14-18 with a citation. Has any one ever encountered something like that? I found it quite incredible that "enemy" medals would be converted Edited 13 October , 2020 by gboehm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 13 October , 2020 Share Posted 13 October , 2020 I would doubt very much that France, an avowed enemy of Germany during 1WW, would convert EK's earned whilst serving with the enemy against France to C de G's. This sounds like a very improbable story to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboehm Posted 13 October , 2020 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2020 That's what I'm thinking too. I need to look into his french military records, they would probably mention it if that was the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 13 October , 2020 Share Posted 13 October , 2020 I am unsure. Most former German soldiers from Alsace-Lorraine were given the same rights as French soldiers after WW1 if they accepted French nationality. It went so far as even to allow the same rights for the fallen of Alsace-Lorraine (in the German army) to be granted the same rights as fallen French soldiers, like the right on repatriation or reburial in a French military cemetery (under a French cross with inscription "mort pour la France" or something similar). In most villages, there is no difference on the war memorials: the names of the fallen of the French and German armies are listed without difference. I haven't heard of medals like the Iron Cross being converted into Croix de Guerre though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancre1917 Posted 13 October , 2020 Share Posted 13 October , 2020 This might be something you could ask about on this French Great War site https://forum.pages14-18.com Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboehm Posted 13 October , 2020 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2020 2 hours ago, Longton1971 said: This might be something you could ask about on this French Great War site https://forum.pages14-18.com Richard Thanks for that, I'll check it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboehm Posted 16 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Right, the mystery has finally been elucidated! It is not a Croix de Guerre but a Combatant's Cross. Which seems to make a lot more sense, because it was given to all "Anciens combatants". Quite surprising that it was given to Alsacian soldiers too, but it seems to be the case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Well, but he received the wound medal for his being wounded in the German Army. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabelou Posted 2 January , 2021 Share Posted 2 January , 2021 The Combatant cross was givel to former french "variors" without distinction of origin. During the re-annexion by nazi Germany between 1940 and 45, I was unable to found a so open minded attitude on german side. Even more, former french militars were considered as suspects by german autorities, except if thei accept nazi new rules and expulsed from Elsass - Lothringen. Gabelou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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