Gaffken

Hi Roman,

What is the watch awarded for? Is that former Defense Minister Ivanov presenting the watch? (I don't recognize the other officers, unfortunately...)

Gents,

I've come across a few references lately to a small [former?] political entity called Limburg, and was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on some of the basics of this seemingly obscure county/administration. Did they have a military of their own, for instance?

Among other things, I came across something called the 'Order of the Four Emperors' and was wondering how rare their orders would be, but can't seem to find any mention on the forum about them...

Many thanks,

Gaffken

As I understand it (and as Roman indicates), the Cossacks today mainly exist as private cultural and fraternal organizations, only occasionally associated with the government for official duties, if at all. There was some talk in the mid-to-late '90s (I think?) of enlisting their manpower to augment the MVD in policing the streets in some regions, but I think this was never taken any further. There are a couple of Defense Ministry units that had the title 'Cossack' bestowed on them, but I'm pretty sure they're just honorary titles, and not reflective of a special capability or anything (I'd bet it's in return for those organizations who are assisting the unit with extra aid, resources, etc). I'm not really sure what's happened on this issue in the last 10 yrs...maybe some of our Russian colleagues can add to the above...

Unfortunately, I don't think the Cossacks today are anything like the 'frontier guards' that we knew them to be in Czarist times.

More largely.

Wow...how does a Maritime Border Guard get so many combat awards? (did he sink the Chechen Navy or something?)

I'm starting to get the impression that it's more common to switch between ministries in Russia than it is in the west, which probably explains this colonel's decorations.

Gaffken

I just came across the following today...are 'motherland' and 'fatherland' interchangable?

-------------------------------

Korabelnikov Dismissed As Head Of Russian Chief Intelligence Department

Moscow Interfax-AVN 24 Apr 09

MOSCOW. April 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree to dismiss Valentin Korabelnikov from the post of head of the Chief Intelligence Department of the Armed Forces General Staff and from military service, the Kremlin press service said.

Korabelnikov was also dismissed from the post of General Staff deputy chief, the press service said.

Medvedev signed a decree to decorate Korabelnikov with the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, third degree, to mark the former intelligence chief's "major contribution to the strengthening of the country's defense potential."

Never let it be said that the Border Troops in the Arctic (and their pilots) don't have a sense of humor...it's probably the only thing that keeps them warm up there.

Here's a 25-mission patch from the Aviation Directorate of the Border Troops in the Arctic Regional Directorate:

0401, as far as I can tell. I always found it strange that they would put a zero in front of the four, but I'm pretty sure it's a zero, and not a '6' or something of the like...

(judging from Megan's number though, I guess they gave a few more of these out since I purchased mine!)

Frank--bravo!

There are most definitely a few post-1991 Russo-philes here on the forum, so I commend your efforts (as well as the others involved) in setting up a long-awaited sub forum. I know that there have been sporadic postings on Russian Federation awards on GMIC from time to time, but it was always hard to figure out the best place to post them.

Ed: in one instance, I did post some replies to a thread discussing the Russian medal for the capture of Pristina airport in Kosovo in 1999 that you could potentially redirect:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18111&hl=pristina

Hope this helps,

Gaffken

Great post!

Here's mine, #401:

Hmmmm... I can not claim to have a lot of knowledge with regard to this order; but I must say that I have an uneasiness about this piece. When compared to examples pictured in Nimmergut?s Magnum Opus and ?Orden und Ehrenzeichen des F?rstentums Lippe Detmold 1778-1933? by Reiner Schwark, the differences are numerous. Suffice it to say that, in comparison, the ?L?s? between the arms on the piece under discussion approach the grotesque.

Don?t forget, only seven of these were awarded; and if I already have one, I?d be content with what I?ve got.

Thanks, as always, Wild Card--I concur with you on the "L's"; this Steckkreuz was just so different from the norm in so many aspects that I felt the need to canvas the masses.

Much appreciated,

Gaffken

Guys--wonderful examples of these rare awards, as usual!

I'm sure some of you have seen this one on eBay already, but I was curious as to what any/all thought of it, as compared to mine in post #25:

eBay Leopold Steckkreuz

Realizing these are fairly rare, the one above has some notable differences--esp. on the reverse--from mine, and I was wondering if this is a possible variant, or perhaps even a wearer's copy, or...possibly something else...(?)

I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have--my knowledge on this award only goes so deep, having only seen 1 or 2 over the years...

Gaffken

Rick, the guy that wrote that COA is known in TR circles as the African Hero. He is the biggest perveyor of freshly made TR items there is.

Hmm...alas, I lead an even simpler life than Rick, so dare I ask how one earns the name 'the African Hero?'

Gaffken

Are there anymore at the market ?

I don't think I've seen another numbered one in at least 3-4 years...

Lastly, 278 with its document (angle of the light makes it appear gold here):

Reverse of 095:

Reverse of 278:

Obverse of both (095 on left):

Guys,

Sorry for not seeing this sooner; the Pristina 'dash' is close to my heart, so I own two examples of this medal, numbered, and of the 2nd type (assuming I interpreted the earlier posts correctly; I was unaware til now that there were two types).

I'll try and take a few scans soon to post for your reference, but to add to what's already been stated, and as I best understand, the silver version was for the troops that actually took the airfield, while the gold version was for the support and logistics troops that later followed-on and supplied the aforementioned from their base in Tuzla (Bosnia).

All of the troops originated from the Russian SFOR regiment, which amounted to about 1,000-1,500 personnel if I recall correctly. Yet, of those, only about 200 (a single company) were actually broken off for the Pristina dash, so subsequently, roughly only the first 200 silver medals were awarded, though I know slightly more were produced and numbered (quite how many, I'm not sure, but probably less than a 1000).

Unfortunately, I don't know how many gold 'support' medals were awarded, though their awarded numbers were generally much higher due to the fact that the re-supply convoys from Bosnia were continuous, with different personnel from the unit rotating-in and participating in each subsequent trip. (I had a chance to purchase one of these, but passed on it due to available funds).

My examples are numbers '095' and '278' in silver. Although 095 should belong to a named individual, I unfortunately don't have it's document; I have the document for 278, but it's empty since this number was above the total for the 'assault' contingent, and is thus one of the 'extras'. (generally, taking into account the size of the regiment's subordinate companies, there should have been between 220-250 actually awarded to individuals.)

Hunyadi: if #184 is still out there, I'd take a second look at it before passing on it totally!

More to come,

Gaffken

Were you the only visitor?

I was there, too, a couple of years back--definitely a world-class museum, though not oft seen by western eyes.

My favorite parts were the vehicle park outside (Bob's photo with the DC3), and the case full of MP44's and other German small arms piled on top of each other on the first floor

Man, I'd love to find out where they're storing the rest of that surplus...!

Gaffken

In a previous life, I covered Beslan real-time for the military, and if memory serves right (I've been gone for several years), Johnsy's initial photos show members of the the FSB's Alfa Spetsnaz detachment going into action after everything started going south during the siege.

Granted, this in itself may not be of too much interest to you guys, but at the time, this was definitely unique garb amongst the mix of forces there (ie, motor rifle troops, MVD Internal Troops, MVD Spetsnaz, OMON, Emercom, etc), and that which was associated with Russia's most elite hostage-rescue unit. Note, too, the advanced weaponry and integrated comms equipment on their helmets--you won't find that in an average motor rifle regiment...!

Great stuff from dark days!

Gaffken

Gaffken, going by the inscription the award date is Dec 25, 1915. If anyone, Rick might be able to help with that date.

Would anyone out there with a Ranglist be able to lend some quick help on an a potential recipient to this one? I'd be grateful for anything anyone could provide...

Many thanks,

Gaffken

Here's mine, too (albeit a bit washed out):

Dan, Ferdinand--many thanks for the great background info--I had no idea that a small aspect of the Cold War was still alive and well.

I guess this also explains the color pictures on some of the medal documents I've been seeing from time to time (as in yours above, Dan), but could never explain til now.

Gaffken

Indeed, pics of persons decorated with the Red Cross Medal 1st class are hard to find, so here is another one wink.gif . But I have seen unfortunately no more. If someone have one, please show it!

Sorry guys--I realize this is probably not the most appropriate forum for posting this, but I rarely get to show it, so here's my seldom encountered cross (unfortunately unattributed...)

Gaffken