JimZ

Possibly Gerd. I admit that I do have a tendancy to forget that little medal. But I still have not figured out how wide spread the practice to use the VOG ribbon was? Now to go back to quote Rick's earlier post..... .... would that not also bring into question the authenticity of the second ribbon bar? Jim

As far as I know a closed crown is also used by the Kingdon of Italy. The first case that comes to my mind is the ensign of the Regia Militare which used the following ensign up to 1946 Ever since 1946 (and I believe I can say up to date), the Marina Militare still uses a mural-crown on its ensign I believe that the former crown would, if anything have undertones of Royalty. But as far as the republic goes the mural crown has been in use ever since the birth of the republic in '46. Jim

Its not phaleristics talking Christophe. Medals talk of specific service and acts. They show where a soldier has been and what he was up against. Some of them talk of periods of service, others talk of individual acts of courage. Some talk of surviving, others of laying down one's life in the name of an ideal, belief or a selfless act of valour. As a friend once told me.... "they have soul in them" My point is that what turns out to be a "geometric" display of repros, (if I may call it that) will never have the same effect as the original groups of veterans had these, say, been donated to the memorial for what is indeed a very good cause - rememberance - lest we forget. But then again...yes.....maybe I am letting the fact that I know a medal is so much more than "just a symbol" cloud my judgement on this matter. Jim

I'd add that apart from what Rick said, the 2 glory and/or victory over germany ribbons also look out of place to me! Jim

Marco, Which grade of the order was bestowed on your father? I might be able to send you a link or two by PM in the case of officer or commander if that helps. Regards, Jim

Which explains why I only managed to get as far back as 1951. Is there any known reason why the design of the order was changed and if so, was it the only italian order to be revamped in 2001? Jim

Some info on the Order: (IN ITALIAN) http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordine_al_Mer...bblica_Italiana Check http://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/cappello/omri.htm for more info on the current order instituted in 1951 and the actual law establishing this Order. http://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/fonti...leggeomri1.html What I cannot figure out conclusively is whether the order was instituted earlier than 1951 which I think it was. If so, I would think that the order itself was changed in 1951 together with the new provisions for this Order. Hope this somewhat helps. Jim

I have been wanting to do this exercise in a while..... And although its not exactly top quality professional graphics but I thought I'd share it with you guys anyways! Incidentally, I am sure that I am missing out on a number of other Victory medals. Can anyone post these so that I may incorporate them into an even bigger comparative pic (unless this already exists elsewhere and you can point me in the right direction! Jim

Italian Army uniforms of the Great War Drawings of uniforms as well as some close up photos of Italian WW1 uniforms http://www.landships.freeservers.com/italian_uniforms.htm

Recovery of Human Torpedo

Surviving SLC on display at the National War Museum in Valletta

In addition to the above may I add that the Vice-governor of Malta, Sir Edward Jackson, in commemoration of the Italian attack on 4 October 1941 wrote something to this effect (translated from Italian therefore not a perfect quothe): "last July the Italians led an attack with great determination in order to penetrate the port, using SLC (slow moving topedoes) and "human torpedoes " in a suicide attack....... To carry out this attack has demanded the highest form of personal courage." Incidentally Tesei also had the an Airport named after him on the Island of Elba.

Italian Army Awards, Badges and Medals WW2 Orders and Medals awarded during WW2 (including some of the older ones retained under the Fascist regime) http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/italian2.htm

Medals of Italy - Page by Micheal Shackelford 1998 Contains a number of top Orders and Medals up to those awarded for the 1WW. Includes: Ordine della Santissima Annunziata; Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro; Ordine Militare di Savoia; Ordine della Corona d'Italia; Medaglia Al Valore Militare; Croce al Merito di Guerra; Medaglia Dell Guerra 1915-1918; Medaglia di Volontario di Guerra 1915-1918; Medaglia Della Vittoria Interalleata; Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti http://www.gwpda.org/medals/italmedl/italy.html

I would start a thread aimed at pooling some online resources concerning the Southern European States and Balkan Orders and Medals Countries to include: Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia & Serbia. Kindly post any relevant links. Thanks! Jim Greece: http://www.presidency.gr/en/tagmaTimhs.htm

And as important as the bayonet and sword is the sheath! How are you treating sheaths especially ones made of leather, which sometimes have a habit of drying up and hardening or even worse....cracking? Jim

I've just remembered a few bayonets that I have lying back home on a shelf in a huge victorian display cabinet. I realise that in 2 years, these friends of mine have not had a drop of oil and are now eagerly waiting for my return! My treatment is usually to wipe them clean with a dry cloth and then wipe again with some gun oil, leaving a very thin filmto protect the steel. The lie there closed in the diplay cabinet to minimise the amount of dust. Now I was once told that oil and dust together are a good way of leading to rusty items. The dust sticks to the oil which then retains humidity. Over time, this is supposedely a killer. However, regular cleaning does ensure that the oil film is not penetrated in any way at all and serves to protect the steel. My question is - what's everybody doing to keep their bayonets/swords looking good? Are there better ways of preserving bayonets/swords? How are you storing or displaying your bayonets/swords? Please share! Jim

Hi Christophe! Anything else that you can tell us about your museum days? We'll be sure to try to wring your brains dry if we know you have the expertise or at least, experience in conservation Cheers! Jim

Hi Hendrik! Interesting DFC style ribbon on the Air Force Merit Cross and US Air medal style on the Air Force Cross. May I ask - any logic to the Greek choice of ribbon style? Jim

Guidelines for the Southern European & Balkan States(Non Communist Era): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Macedonia & Serbia. Gentlemen, for the sake of clarity please note that the Southern European & Balkan States forum is aimed at drawing focus to the militaria and military history of the following countries: Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. In the case of Yugoslavia and Albania, there are other existing fora which are currently restricted to the socialist era. This forum will therefore also incorporate threads relating to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina , Montenegro , Albania , Republic of Macedonia and Serbia in so far as these are: 1) NOT related to the socialist era covered by other fora; and 2) and for so long as existing Yugoslavian and Albanian fora are restricted to the socialist era. As for Turkey and other the Arab States/Middle East bordering the Mediterranean, please note that these already have their own respective fora and therefore, any related threads should be posted thereunder. I hope this somewhat helps clarify the scope of this forum Jim

Actually, at the moment I am following a very interesting series on BBC Prime called "The Cambridge Spies" I am posting a link for reference.... although honestly, I did not read the content thaaaat well as I want to enjoy the show on the telly http://www.crimelibrary.com/spies/cambridg...mbridgemain.htm I'll research them once the series ends! Jim

MMM....I was hoping you'd confirm this with your book I am attaching the link where I found her maiden surname (not that easy to find online!) and the info about the OGPW 1. http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/show...ad.php?p=582631 Whereas the chap who translated them says there are differences in the stories told, he does say that they have common parts. Of course I hoped your book would confirm this. But apparantly not the case. Maybe someone having the HSU books can check it out and confirm this information? Thanks, Jim

Sorry to see that Stalingrad Doc William - I was wondering if it was blank - Framing is ok as long as you do not use the wrong combination of materials. I can propose an alternative method I have used which is also pretty effective for one page documents (like a german doc group I own) - I had framed these many years back between two sheets of glass held together with plastic clips. This keeps the document protected neatly between both sheets exposing both sides of the document. after handling, the glass can be wiped clean from fingerprints with a piece of cloth. Of course this does not present a perfect seal around the document and the risks are that the edges could "yellow" with time. To counter this, they are kept in a top dark drawer of a military chest where there is no access to light (to pervent them from fading), where cirulation of air is minimised (thus reducing contact of the paper with acidic pollutants). I use silica gel packs once again kept to absorb any possible humidity. In the case of order booklets, I keeping these neatly piled in the same drawer and of course, I should upgrade to some sort of archival pockets for these! Jim

1935 picture of the Italians in Ethiopia Hi Peter, Thanks for the detail of the inside. Although the liner remained the same, it looks like the shape of the pith helmet itself changed to one with a wider profile thus affording the soldier more cover from the sun. I was half hoping you'd catch the inside detail of the Rosette/badge (with the italian flag) to see whether this was sewn on or somehow clipped on. Do you have the later type helmet as well? Jim

Hi Dan, Actually there was one little bit of info that I failed to highlight.... but I will do so for completeness sake. For her actions and bravery in attempting to repair the tank when under enemy fire, she was actually awarded an OGPW 1st class. Apparantly this award was not considered sufficient for a) her brave action, and b) her reputation (she was also being used for propoganda purposes by the Soviets). She was therefore posthumously awarded the HSU title a few months later. Jim