Medal commemorating the Battle of the Ionian Sea or Cape Matapan, 1941. Obverse: Wave, an octopus (the Royal Navy) attempting to ensnare a hand clutching a dagger, has one of its tentacles severed, two other tentacles have been similarly dealt with. Legend: 'VINCERE.' Reverse: Two World War II warships at speed on parallel courses (starboard-bow view) with their main armament trained forward and elevated; overhead, three aircraft. Inscription: 'NON SI VIE NE INPUNEMENTE CONTRO LE COSTE D'ITALIA'; '8-9 LUGLIO XVIII' and 'BATTAGLIA DELLO JONIO.' Suspended by a loop and ring from a blue ribbon with, on the left side, black-white-red narrow stripes and on the right, red-white-green narrow stripes (i.e., the ribbon of the Axis Medal in reverse). This medal was almost certainly unofficial.