Instituted by the Municipality of Soissons in 1966 to honour those who had fought in the First, Second and Third Battles of the Aisne in 1914, 1917 and 1918 and also members of the French VI Army which held the German advance that began on 16 May 1940 for 20 days. In award certificates it is referred to as the ‘Médaille des Rescapées de l’Aisne’ (Medal for the Survivors of th Aisne), indicating the ferocity of these battles.
