Eleven months after landing on the beaches of Normandy, Allied forces scattered across Europe celebrate the surrender of Nazi Germany. A historic day, “V-E DAY” (or Victory in Europe Day) symbolizes the end of nearly six years of conflict and the return of peace for millions of Europeans. 80 years after this decisive victory, Monnaie de Paris celebrates this historic event by paying a new tribute to the great Allied nations who fought for the liberation of France and Europe.
Léon, Second-Maître (Petty Officer) of the Kieffer Commando, was one of the 177 Frenchmen who took part in the Normandy landings. After D-Day, he took part in the Battle of Normandy until August 27th, 1944, when N°4 Commando was put to rest in Great Britain.
In November, he returned to the front in the Netherlands with his comrades. He took part in the Walcheren landing and the capture of Vlissingen (operation Infatuate). His unit took part in several other operations, including raids on the island of Shouwen: Intemperate and Interruption. By May 8th, 1945, N°4 Commando was still in the Netherlands, and in reality, was living out the end of the war somewhat on the sidelines.
The reverse of this coin features all the Allied countries that officially took part in the Normandy landings, surrounded by the face value and the RF initials. Clockwise: France Libre, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Australia, USA, Norway, UK, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Belgium.
The stars under the flags are also a tribute to the Liberty Road, mile markers marking the route taken by the 3rd US Army in liberating France as far as Luxembourg.
