The Croix de Guerre was first introduced in 1915, during the First World War. The ribbon features vertical green and red stripes, while the medal itself consists of a bronze cross, with crossed swords behind. In the centre of the medal, on the obverse side, a bust of Marianne (the personification of the French Republic) can be seen. On the reverse, a circle surrounds the dates of the conflict for which the medal was awarded (for example: 1914-1918). The Croix de Guerre is awarded for courage in battle. Unlike most military medals, it can be awarded to both individuals and units for their heroic actions. British units awarded the Croix de Guerre as a collective award and covered in this publication 5th Battery R.A. 2nd Bn Devonshire Regiment 4th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry 56 Infantry Brigade 2/8th West Yorks (2nd Leeds Rifles) 6th Bn The Black Watch 9th Bn Tank Corps 12th Cheshire Regiment 7th Bn The South Wales Borderers 12th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders 128th (Wessex) Field Ambulance RAMC