The Political deportation and internment medal (or Médaille de la déportation et de l’internement politique) is a commemorative medal awarded by the Ministry for veterans and war victims of the French Republic to its citizens who were deported or interned by the German occupation forces during World War 2.
Created by law on 9 September 1948, the medal defines the status of political deportees and internees, declaring in its opening article “The Republic, grateful to those who contributed to the salvation of the country, bowed before them and before their families, determined the status of political deportees and internees, proclaim their rights and those of their successors”.
The Title of political deportee was bestowed to French citizens living in France or abroad, who were, apart from being interned for common or criminal offenses and for a period of at least three months: Transferred by the enemy from the national territory and then incarcerated or interned in a prison or concentration camp; incarcerated or interned by the enemy in the camps or prisons of Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Moselle; incarcerated or interned by the enemy in any other territories exclusively administered by the enemy, in particular Indochina.
The three-month minimum period was waived for persons having successfully escaped or that contracted an illness or infirmity during their internment arising in particular from torture.
Designed by French artist engraver Arthus Bertrand, the medal measures 30 mm in diameter, is circular and struck from bronze or gilt bronze. Its obverse bears the relief image of four vertical chain links protruding from the medal circumference. It also shows a small relief image of the map of France with six rays of light protruding out to the medal’s outer edges and the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. The reverse bears the same chain links but without the map of France or the rays, and the years “1940” and “1945” in relief instead. Along the circumference it says MÉDAILLE DE LA DÉPORTATION ET DE L’INTERNEMENT).
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