FR EN
1 / 3
an image of a gold medal in a wooden box on a white surfacea gold medal in a red box on a white backgrounda plaque on display in a wooden frame
Maître Lydie BRIOULT

73 - 2nd Armoured Division commemorative medal marking the 50th a…
See original version (French)

Estimate €40 - €60
Sale commission
Description
2nd Armoured Division commemorative medal marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation, 1944–1944 (photo taken from the website libres.net) A bronze medal produced by Ballard to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Liberation of France and the division’s military exploits. This personalised example features a name cartouche engraved with the name of a comrade from the 2nd Armoured Division, in this case Jean MORACCHINI, whose military career is detailed on the Français Libres website via the following link: https://www.francaislibres.net/liste/fiche.php?&index=110818&1791729350 Jean Moracchini’s military career: He joined the Free French Forces (FFL) on 9 June 1943 in Sabratha, Tripolitania. He was posted to the 2nd Tank Company of the Free French Forces, which became the 2nd Company of the 501st Combat Tank Regiment (501st RCC). Holding the rank of Lance Corporal, he served as gunner aboard the Sherman tank named ‘Montereau’ (1st section). On 12 August 1944, during fierce fighting in the Écouves Forest (Battle of Normandy), the ‘Montereau’ tank was put out of action. Jean Moracchini was wounded during this engagement, as were the rest of the crew (Louis Tréguier and Émile Fray). He continued to fight in the same role aboard the “Montereau II” and took part in the liberation of Paris, as well as the campaigns in Alsace and Germany. Moracchini was demobilised on 15 October 1945. He died on 31 December 1984 at the age of 61.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Sale of the Grégory Pons collection and miscellaneous items (Aviation and WW2 Militaria)
Auction location
Auction time 11/14/2026 at 1:30 PM
Lot description modified on 10/13/2026 at 4:31 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like