Offensive Britannique 1917

obverse design: soldier, British infantryman, bust, right profile, in uniform and helmet, holding an SMLE rifle. obverse text: 'OFFENSIVE BRITANNIQUE 1917' reverse design: lion, roaring and facing right, its hindquarters obscured by a rock. To its right the muzzles of two artitllery pieces, and in the right middle distance, two British tanks moving to right. In the sky aircraft and an onservation balloon. To left of lion a Union Flag flying from left to right. reverse text: 'VIMY.ARRAS.YPRES.' exergue: 'MARECHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG GENERAUX - SIR HENRY HORNE SIR HERBERT PLUMER SIR JULIAN BYNG SIR HUBERT GOUGH'

Post First World War French medallic tribute to the 'British' offensives on the Western Front, at Vimy Ridge, Arras and Ypres in 1917. The implicit brutality and ferociousness of the numerous significant battles and actions which consitituted these important offensives is rendered very obliquely by the artist. The portrait of the individual soldier symbolises the sacrifices of the rank and file. The principal military commanders are honoured by the presence of their names. British military might and technical inventiveness, is acknowledged by the references to tanks, artillery and aircraft in the reverse design.