BACKGROUND: In March 1939 the Luftwaffe operational flying units were divided into four separate territorial, Luftflotten, (Air Fleets), which in turn were sub-divided into assorted Luftgaue, (Air Districts), with each Luftgau being responsible for a pre-determined area of air space. With the rapid advances and occupations of 1939-1940 the Luftwaffe found its Luftflotten were over extended and created three additional Luftflotten with one being responsible for a territory covering parts of northern Russia, Finland and Norway. Each of the Luftgau were command by an Officer holding Generals rank and no fewer then four of the Luftgaue created their own, semi-official, non-portable, award plaques or medallions for bestowal to personnel within the particular Luftgau for special achievements. The plaques and medallions were sanction by the Luftgaue commanding officer and were generally manufactured locally. This Luftgau West France example would have been awarded under the authority of Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle as the commander of the 3RD Luftflotten which encompassed Western France. When awarded the plaques and medallions usually came accompanied with an award certificate. The Luftgau West France medallion was also issued in a miniature lapel badge version. The actual criteria for bestowal and the introductory date of this example are unknown.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 41mm diameter die struck, bronze alloy construction medallion. The obverse of the medallion features an embossed, Luftwaffe style eagle in flight, clutching a canted swastika in one talon, superimposed on an embossed map of France with the embossed script, "Alles Für Deutschland", (All for Germany). The reverse of the medallion features the embossed script, "Für Treue Dienstleistungen im Bereich des Feldluftgaukommandos Westfrankreich", (For Faithful Service in the Area of Field Air District West France), encompassed by an embossed, laurel leaf wreath.