The present French Foreign Legion plaques and medal for good cooperation with French forces in Berlin represent significant testimony to military cooperation during the occupation period of Berlin following World War II. These decorations were awarded to Fred Genkowitz and are in good condition (condition 2).

Following the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, Berlin was divided into four occupation zones administered by the Allied victorious powers—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The French occupation zone in Berlin comprised the districts of Wedding and Reinickendorf in the northern part of the city. France established a significant military presence that lasted until German reunification in 1990.

The Légion étrangère (Foreign Legion), founded in 1831 by King Louis-Philippe, played an important role in the French military presence in Berlin. This legendary unit, known for its multinational recruits and tradition of anonymity for its members, symbolized French military power and professionalism. During the Berlin occupation period, various units of the French armed forces, including contingents with connections to the Foreign Legion, were stationed in the city.

The awarding of plaques and medals to individuals such as Fred Genkowitz testifies to the intensive cooperation between Allied forces and local German civilians or military personnel during the occupation period. Such decorations were typically awarded to individuals who distinguished themselves through special merits in supporting the French military administration, through interpreter services, logistical support, or other important contributions to Franco-German understanding.

The French military presence in Berlin was marked by several historical events, including the Berlin Blockade of 1948-1949, when the Soviet Union blocked all land routes to West Berlin. During the subsequent airlift, French forces played an important role in supplying the besieged city. Cooperation between the Western Allies and the German population intensified considerably during this period.

Plaques and medals of this type were often awarded at official ceremonies and typically bore symbols of the Foreign Legion such as crossed rifles, the seven-flamed grenade, or the motto “Honneur et Fidélité” (Honor and Fidelity). They served not only as personal recognition but also as diplomatic gestures of appreciation and building trust between former war adversaries.

The French military administration in Berlin maintained extensive cultural and administrative programs. The Centre Culturel Français and other institutions promoted cultural exchange, while military cooperation on a practical level laid the foundation for later European integration. The awarding of decorations was part of this broader strategy of reconciliation and cooperation.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and German reunification in 1990, the French military presence in Berlin officially ended. The last French troops left the city in 1994, closing a significant chapter in post-war history. Objects such as these plaques and medals remain important material witnesses to this transformative period in Franco-German history.

For collectors and historians, such personalized decorations represent particularly valuable documents, as they establish concrete connections to individual persons and specific historical contexts. The condition 2 (very good) of these pieces makes them valuable exhibits for military historical collections and museums dealing with the occupation history of Berlin.

These artifacts embody the complex transition from occupation to partnership that characterized the post-war relationship between France and Germany, ultimately contributing to the foundation of modern European cooperation and the reconciliation that became a cornerstone of European unity.