Chris Boonzaier

Hi, has anyone heard of the German Artist named Rosenberg? Apparently an Afrikakorps artist? Thanks, Chris

Hi, thanks, with the italy in the text it may be that the metal part was made in italy for export?

Sorry, here it is.... The horseshoe also seems out of place....

Hi, does anyone know which language this is? It is on a picture frame with a horseshoe entwined with 2 dragons... Thanks Chris

uuugly.... I think they must have hired the same designer who made the modern Australian awards!!

You are just trying to spoil my day!!!! ?I woulda killed for that group. No chance there is a pick of Lt Zirkler in there is there?

That is SUPERB!

H, these should be in the French Section but I am looking for the right names for the units in English... and as most modern terms have an American origin... URH and SAED Unite de recherche Humain... literally "Human research unit" Recherce used as reconnaisance in France like the old CRAP units. Would "Humint (Human intel gathering) and Reconnaisance unit" be correct? URH was formed by 2 REI as an element of Task Force Dragon in Afghanistan 2009-2010.. while there it was renamed "Detachment de Liason et d'intervention" The URH were the forerunners of the SAED "Section Aide à l'Engagement Débarqué" "ground engagment aid section" which is more direct action than the original URH with its recon and Humint roll. For a Mech Infantry regiment it is basically an elite section, basically the regiments commando section, with a role of recon and intervention... One tanslation which is not to bad is "Infantry Regiment Dismounted Combat support platoon" Apparently the Tankers are testing a groupement d’aide à l’engagement blindé to provide legs on the ground commandoes in tank brigades... and there is an amphibious version as well... . Does anyone have an idea what the correct english terms for the URH and SAED would be? Thanks Chris

I am going to go out on a limb here and say... if you shot at this guy... you sure as hell better hit him... as I think he could probably be rather unpleasant if he catches you after you miss?

... wa able to get most of this as the son was selling it on ebay... missed a few bites, some bits no longer exist... but I got most of what I wanted....

Hi, They were by far not all stolen, around 2000 or so you could apply for reissue... i.e. you could go there and say "I would like a trio reissued for peter jones, henry smill and thomas whatsup" ... pay the money (official reciept) and walk out with 3 trios of unnamed medals. Of course, some may have been stolen, but it was possible to get unnamed trios in 10 minutes for a small price just by filling in the forms. You just needed the name and service number, did not even have to be a relative. Best Chris

I picked upa a 2 REP beret from an ex Legion Colonel. The Beret has a name in it... so I set out to try and find out about the wearer.... Although not his beret at the time, it turns out he was a Sharp Shooter at Kolwezi... An ex legionnaire helped me find some pics with him, on the right in both photos.... I am a happy boy... ?

Thanks! Chris

Hi, the blue flash with red and white border and the in air on land crest.

Hi, the legionnaire in Question was in an OMLT with the 4th ANA brigade... Here pictured with a cap given to him by a member of the 7th SFG. one of his souvenirs was a "Special forces Beret!" ... but it is actually an 82nd red Beret....

Thanks guys!

I should very probably know this... can anyone tell me who this is? Thanks Chris

Hi, a friend asked if anyone can identify this dude? Thanks Chris

Agree... I am happy with the group.... I must admit I am not inclined to keep all the souveniers... he has a fetish for those bells you buy at tourist shops... and badges and kit traded from other armies usually have a meaning to the dude himself and do not add to the group... So I may end up keeping just his stuff.... This was kinda cool....

This was given to a Legionnaire ... see here.... in Afghanistan... Is it just a Generic army coin of USSF?

he was one time ivory coast, 3 times Afghannistan. Some of his trading souvenirs are in the box as well, stuff he traded from the US, Dutch etc... There is a boonie hat he traded from a marine... he is totally convinced the marines are the US foreign legion... "The Army are Americans... the Marines are like the Legion... all foreigners... Mexicans and stuff... they speak Spanish... like the Spanish Legion! " ... also an ADN beret he insists is USSF... I think it is 82nd... he was astounded it was made in Vietnam... having said that, many French badges have the tradional companies names on them... but are made in Vietnam... Being the fool that I am I paid a price I will never get back if I ever had to sell it....

I met up with an Ex Legionnaire today and am lucky enough to be the new depository for his Legion goodies.... The rocker with russian writing actually says "Legion Etrangere" in Russian!! The 4th Escadron is a Recon unit and is equipped with the 3 Man VBLs, He had a tour in the Ivory coast and 3 Tours to Afghanistan.

Just got a Silver "Officers" badge from An officer who was Platoon then company commander, then chief of the Operations staff in 2 REI and later commander of the 1st Foreign legion regiment. Market Value maybe EUR40, with missing attach maybe EUR25? So no real financial value but worth waaay more to me because of the attribution...

Agree... by coincidence I had a little bag of these pins and used them to mount medals.

Here are a couple of loose ones from the group of a Legion Colonel.... I think the one is theater made? The bar is paper thin...