Description
Here is a rather interesting table medal/small desk piece that does not appear to be from either WW I or Germany!
Some of our research points to Belgium, but it is rather sketchy. If some of our eagle-eyed readers have other ideas, we are open to them.
The medal is bronze-toned and measures 1 ¾” x 3″ x 3/16.” The central theme is a medium high-relief representation of a battery of antiaircraft cannons firing at a flight of airplanes passing over a rural landscape. The crew’s helmets appear to be similar to those worn by WW I Belgian soldiers. The airplanes appear to be monoplanes rather than the biplanes that dominated WW I aircraft. Also, Belgium was overrun by Imperial Germany early in the war, so anti aircraft defense was NOT a factor for them in WW I. The twin-engine aircraft probably are medium bombers, which indicates WW II.
Initials and/or words appear in two places.
The one in the upper right corner reads “1R – D.T.C.A. – VIII°.” [An internet search reveals that Belgium’s anti-aircraft effort was labeled Défense Territoriale Contre Avions (DTCA)].
The words in the medal’s lower left corner has “P. BAEYENS m.o.” [Another internet search reveals that Baeyens is a fairly common Belgian name). A pair of outstretched wings is etched across the table medal/plaque’s bottom. Its center features a pair of crossed cannons with a flaming torch superimposed in their middle.
[Once again, the trusty internet provides an entry on YOU TUBE© entitled “Marche de la DTCA” / L’Artillerie Antiaérienne (BELGE)” (“March of the Belgian ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY”).
The illustration accompanying the Marche has details that resemble the medal’s torch and cannons. ].
Finally, a manufacturer’s hallmark appears on the medal’s bottom edge, just below the flaming torch’s center. While its maker and history are a bit mysterious, the medal/plaque is quite well made and very handsome.
