105 - [MILITARIA] MEMORABILIA of a distinguished French Vice Admiral, René-Emile GODFROY (1885–1981):

[MILITARIA] MEMORABILIA of a distinguished French Vice Admiral, René-Emile GODFROY (1885–1981): Military headgear and medals Presented in a leather case labeled “Admiral Godfroy – Bicorne Case” and bearing a vintage label from the Saint-Raphaël-Valescure train station, the following items are included: - A three-star French vice admiral’s cap made of blue felt and embroidered with metallic thread. Wear on the brim and mold inside. - Maison NICOLAS - H.WINTER, successor, 61 rue des Petits Champs in Paris, Vice Admiral’s bicorne, full-dress model in black felt with gold braid featuring oak leaves, a tricolor cockade, and a gold festoon surrounding the admiral’s shield with a star. The whole is topped with black ostrich feathers. The inner lining is white silk. Signed with the manufacturer’s name. Comes with its carrying box, 44x18x18. Included are: - A Third Republic-style senior officer’s sword belt in dark blue leather with blue silk braid featuring four gold stripes and a brass plate depicting a Gorgon’s head. Approximately 80 cm waist circumference - A Third Republic-era 1872-model naval officer’s dress belt in brown leather and silk, featuring a gilded brass plate with a naval anchor. 82 cm waist circumference. Signs of wear and verdigris on the buckle. - Metal-thread trimmings. - Third Republic-style Officer’s Cross of the Legion of Honor medal. Some chipped enamel on the cross. - MOROCCO, Officer’s Medal of the Ouissam Alaouite, first type. Moulay Youssef era (1920s–1930s). Twists on the star; chipped enamel. - Commemorative medal for the Great War, 1914–1918. All with ribbons In cases, various table medals chronicling the prestigious career of René Emile GODFROY: - Silver medal from the Geographical Society for Charcot’s “Pourquoi-Pas” Antarctic expedition, 1908–1910, awarded to R.E. GODFROY, ensign. Weight: 64.9 g - Bronze medal from the French Topographical Society, awarded to Ensign R.E. GODFROY in 1912. - Commemorative bronze medal from the Yacht Club of France, dated Christmas 1936. In memory of J.B. CHARCOT (1867–1836). Awarded to Rear Admiral GODFROY. - Bronze medal from the Central Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons awarded to Lieutenant GODFROY, commander of the “Capricieuse,” for the rescue of 100 men from the “Hymalaya,” which was torpedoed on June 22, 1917. - Silver medal from the Aéro-club de France awarded to Lieutenant Commander GODFROY for a seaplane cruising race in 1923. Weight: 54.9 grams. - Bronze medal presented by Mr. Paul PAINLEVÉ, Minister of War (1925–1929), to Commander GODFROY. - Bronze medal awarded by François PIÉTRI, Minister of the Navy, to Rear Admiral GODFROY in faithful remembrance of his service. Enclosed are 20 vintage 10x15 cm photographs depicting the damage caused by the 1906 typhoon in Hong-Kong, notably the wreck of the British ship HMS PHOENIX in Kowloon Harbor, and an 8x11 cm photograph depicting a landing in Buenos Aires. René Emile GODFROY (1885–1981) He was born in Paris in 1885 and joined the navy at the age of 16 in 1901. He participated in Charcot’s Antarctic expedition from 1908 to 1910 as an ensign. He rescued part of the crew of the Himalaya, which was torpedoed in 1917 by a German submarine off the coast of Sicily. He was one of the leading experts in aeronautics after World War I. He rose through the ranks during the interwar period and served on the staff of the Ministry of the Navy. At the start of World War II, he was best known for commanding the Force X squadron, which was nearly sunk by the British. The squadron remained stranded in Alexandria, Egypt, and, thanks to the vice admiral, escaped destruction at Mers-el-Kébir following a British torpedo attack. In 1943, the vice admiral rallied to General Giraud but was sidelined by the Gaullists. He died in Fréjus in 1981.