ondras

Hi Alex. Maybe you will be surprised, but this variant with Lion with crown less rare then communist one without crown. Because communist version is from year 1961. After 1945 up to 1961 was used still the same like you have. There are some small differences so it is possible to recognise if award is manufactured befor WWII or after, but only from big detailed photos. Ondrej

Yes they are authentic. Bigger badge is for Millitary academy graduate. It is quite common. Patches are for Civil protection - Civilní Ochrana in Czech. It is part of the army who serves mostly during natural disasters like floods, etc.

It is Karnet Kysely. What year of presentation book do you have? I want to have ZUKOV version too, but it is little bit expensive to have two same orders only with different small marking. And I dont have third version of Rad Republiky wtih document. So I rather buy this one.

Yes, man you know a lot about the history. With no regards, Ondrej

Official photography of the decorated man from book which was given to all awarded person. He is wearing uniform of coalminers and under photo is written : Rudolf Lorenc ( his name ) coalminer from mine Centrum ( name of the mine ) Dolní Jiřetín ( name of the town, where the mine is ). And photo of this book named Vyznamenání nejlepších pracovníků na hradě Pražském which means Awarding of best workers on Prague castle. Ondrej

No, there arent any of Czechoslovakian medals.

Hello all, here are photos of Czechoslovakian Order of Republic ( Řád Republiky in Czech ). This is the first type of this order, which was ordered between years 1951 and 1960. This first type could by recognised by letters ČSR on the back side of the order. (ČSR means Československá republika - Republic of Czechoslovakia). This order was ordered for merit of the state, to the best workers, artists and politicians. This one, from my collection was ordered in 1952 to a coalminer. It is made from silver with enamels and golded. In my opinion this is one of the prettiest medals of communist Czechoslovakia. Front side back side Order box and plates of order book And opened Regads Ondrej

Gordon, this is not Czechoslovakian medal. This is an order of Slovakian independent state from years 1939 - 1945 called War Victory Cross. Maybe little bit of history. In 15. March 1939 Czech part of Czechoslovakia was taken by nazi Gemany and connected to the Third Reich as a protectorate Böhmen und Mähren. Day before, on 14 March 1939 indepentend Slovakian state was proclaimed in Slovak part of Czechoslovakia. This Slovakian state was ally of Germany and Slovakian army fought with Germans on Eastern front against Soviet union. After the Second World War was this two parts again connected to Czechoslovakia. So, your example is War Victory Cross 2 nd class. During its history regulations was several times changed. At the start of issuing, there was three classes, from year 1943 there was eight classes ( Grand cross and seven normal classes ) of this order. It was military order and which class would be given depended on rank of the awarded soldier. I could be given to the foreign soldier too. To soldiers from Axis alliance. This is only simplified version of system of ordering, it was little bit complicated, with many changes during time. So this is rare order and mainly in Slovakia are these order from Second world war time wery popular and prized. Here are photos of this order with rare original box from the internet. and the second floor of the box with miniatures. Regards Ondrej

Gordon, specialst class badge could be also worn by proffesional officers but exemplary unit not. Czechoslovakia militaria isnt so popular at this forum as i could see. Its strange for me, every communist coutry has its our topic, except Czechoslovakia. Regards, Ondrej

Gordon, here are two pictures. First one is page from uniform regulations (example for one, two and three badges ) and second one is photo from my uniforms collection. It is a photo of service dress uniform ( i dont know how it translate in english, but Exemplary soldier badge and Exemplary unit badge is only for soldiers who wasnt professionals. Every man over 18 yers must serve for two years in army and this uniform is for that soldiers ). Badges was worn only on this kind of uniform, not on the field. With one exception. Badge of Exemplary soldier could be worn on field uniform, but it was not usual. Regards Ondrej

Hello, these to badges were used in Czechoslovakian peoples army ( not Czech, Czech Republic was formed in 1993, before it was Czechoslovakia ). The specialist badge could be also used in Peoples Militia units ( armed forces of Czechoslovakia comunist party ). The older version with screw was used in sixties and seventees, the new one in eighties. There are four classes of specialits badge, the third is the lesser one ( 3, 2, 1 and M - master class ). The exemplary unit badge was used only in the regular army and this aluminium version is from eighties. All of these badges were worn above the right brest pocket of the uniform. The specialist badge just above the pocket and above it soldier could have two another badges. Most common was "exemplary soldier badge " and "exemplary unit badge". I could post you a picture from "uniform regulations". If you have any other question about Czechoslovakian badges, lets ask. With best regars Ondrej - Prague - Czech Republic

Hello all, At first, sorry for my english. Im collector of medals from Czech republic, so I dont know enything about Great Britain medals. Only basic things. I have this document in my collection. It is a letter from British embassy to former RAF pilot. He was serving in 313. Czechoslovakia fighter squadron, but in 1944 he was transferred to Soviet Union, where Czechoslovakian airforce division was built. So he could not got his medals for serving in RAF after the war and in 1991 he got them wit this letter. He got 1939/45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star and War medal. But unfortunately medals was lost and I have only this paper. And I want to buy this medals to complete it. My question is, are there any "late" versions of this medals which could be awarded in 1991 ? And my second question is, that there are lot of fakes of Brittish medals, as I see. Can you recomend me some internet shop, where can I buy real ones ? In Czech republic I saw only the fakes. With best regards Ondrej - Prague