Political Prisoner's Cross 1940-1945

The Cross of the Political Prisoner 1940-1945 was established by decree of the Regent on 13 November 1947, on the proposal of the Minister of Reconstruction, with the declared intention of “visibly honouring the high patriotic virtue of the political prisoners”. The cross, in silver, measures 37 mm in both height and width. At its centre is a circle of 21 mm in diameter, framed by four thorn branches. On the obverse, the circle bears a red downward-pointing triangle with the black capital letter B, symbolising Belgium. The reverse carries the years 1940 and 1945, placed one above the other. The medal is suspended from a 38 mm wide white moiré ribbon with thirteen equal stripes: seven white and six blue, symbolising the prison uniform of the political prisoners in the German jails.