JimZ

We crossed messages Christophe!! And may I unofficially confirm the result till UB does so himself . Jim :cheers:

Ok guys - let me help out here as this question is dragging on. UB is referring to a fictional person - a characther out of a book who's name happens to be Ivan and whose rank was that of Private. A lot of the relatives mentioned by UB are fictional in that they seem to be references to the actual book - which means for those who have not read the book they do not mean much! However, he is actually looking for the name of full name of this fictional private. Lets focus on the author who may be the key - UB said that with the mention of Solzhenitsyn (whom Harvey first mentioned earlier on), we were on the right track. Therefore the author went through some of what Sozhenitsyn did, i.e. having his citizenship revoked and then restored by Gorbachev (as per the hints). This same author went on to receive the state prize of the Russian Federation in the Putin period. Finally UB gives his last hint that Private Ryan is extremely famous... maybe so is Private Ivan...... search for him! Jim :cheers:

Badge of the association and website: http://ancrfilago.com/ Jim :cheers:

Dear all, The nightmare is over for me and I know the answer to the question as UB6365 has reverted back. That takes me out of the game. However, after reviewing the answer I think that the question can go on, although I have asked UB6365 to make a small clarification. On my part I would like to say that some of the most general hints may be the most relevant, and some other hints may not need to be taken quite so literally. I will let UB6365 get back with more. Jim PS - I was clueless as you all........and would have still been!!!!

Lapel badge of the Associazione Nazionale Combattenti e Reduci or ANCR which is a private association for veterans and disabled. Takes care of the moral and material needs of its members and is responsible for organising activites, training, ceremonies etc for its members. Its got nothing to do with Scouts - The Fleurdelys at the back is found on the coat of arms of Firenze (Florence) and the stamp at the back also denotes that this was probably also produced in Florence. Possibly given to members or possibly sold to raise funds, I cannot say if this is original or not, but would doubt why something like that should be faked or altered.

As time permits - The Italian Medal for Libya arises as a result of the Italo-Ottoman campaigns. With France having secured Tunisa, it was seen as 'fair' if Italy should secure Libya. Libya, till then part of the Ottoman Empire was considered by the Italians as falling under its area of influence due to its geographical proximity. The Italians declared war and seized Libya as a colony using a force of some 35,000 troops. The medal can often be seen coupled with a similar one for the Italo-Turkish war. I believe both ribbons to be the same as well as the obverse of the medals, with the campaign name only being different. As seems to be very typical of Italian medals, yours comes without the ribbon. I have yet to figure out why the ribbons keep disappearing!!! Attached is a link with some interesting detailed information of the Libya situation that I came across: http://histclo.com/country/arab/lib/hist/lh-ita.html

Hi UB6535, I am withdrawing from this question. In the interest of the quiz thread and to ensure that the rules are being followed, I am asking you to kindly PM me the identity of the man in question and supporting links so that I can ensure that he is readily researchable and therefore, worthy of being included in the quiz. As you know, the rules in the first post state: "QUESTIONS SHOULD ALSO NOT BE TOO OBSCURE AND SHOULD BE READILY RESEARCHABLE WITHOUT TOO MUCH DIFFICULTY" I therefore want to verify if this is the case. Should it turn out that the question is valid, things will be allowed to proceed. If not, the question will be terminated. Regards, Jim

UB6535, Please try not to repeat hints and be a bit more specific. We've got a full family tree but some of the hints are too general to be of much use. There is also the risk of members losing interest in the question if it beats about the bush for too long - although with Christophe and Harvey joining in earlier today that does not yet seem set to happen. It will also be rather interesting to see you tie up all the hints when we find the person! Jim :cheers:

Hi Alex, I split the thread as its always better to start a new one for something like this! Medals are identifiable and thread name can then be amended. Unless someone provides info, I'll revert back with something myself at a later stage - slightly caught up at the moment. Jim :cheers:

Where was the dotted line in your days Chris? Jim :cheers:

And on that thought, is it Yermolai Solzhenitsyn?

Harvey - it cannot be Alexander Solzhenitsyn - I ruled him out yesterday on account of the hint "My father received the State Prize of RF from President Putin... " If anything it would be his son. Christophe - it cannot be Shostakovich's son on account of the same hint! Shostakovich died in 1975 and could not have received the State prize of RF from President Putin!! Unless its a posthumous award! And to have been awarded by Presiednt Putin it must have been awarded between 2000 and 2008!!! :banger:

Lets try to organise the hints given so far as I have come at this from varous angles but my searches are all hitting a brick wall!!! There is also not much response to the question which probably marks this as a tough one. Below are some of my thoughts which may be incorrect....but there is some logic to it. Of course I may be attacking the question from the wrong angle!!! About me I was born in XX century. - like many others! But I would guess born in the 1950s latest under Stalin regime. I was kind of secret person… Actually before youth I did not exist officially. - Perhaps born in a gulag? I was awarded with unknown order but this decision was cancelled later. - unknown order that was cancelled - not much help I was awarded with unknown order but this decision was cancelled later, due to my problems with law enforcement agency... - problems with law enforcement.... I have some relations with U-2 airplane. - Gary Powers and Cuban Missile Crisis are the first thoughts that come to mind..... About my father My father served military duty in Poland. With beginning of space era he became famous. - I was thinking cosmonaut or rocket scientist? My father received the State Prize of RF from President Putin... - father had to be alive in the late between 2000 - 2008 - President Putin!!! Again, scient state prize which makes him one of three recipients every year between 2000-2008 Technically one of 24!!! About my relatives One of my far relatives (unfortunately I never met him) was awarded by Stalin prize twice and in two different ways. - Scanned through double recipients but made no link. Assuming its a far relative it is unlikely that they share the same surname. Just to let you know we are thinking, although some more direct hints about him might help narrow the person down. Jim :cheers:

Welcome on board Scott! We hope to have yet another active member within the Soviet Forum! Regards Jim :cheers:

Odulf is right in saying that they cannot be revived to "issue status" and very right in saying that "you will walk these shoes" However, a significant difference can be noticed between leather that may crack upon the least bit of pressure before treatments as opposed to leather that becomes more pliable after treatment. Put the boots on and walk 20 metres in them and they'll probably fall to bits anyway!!! Yes - the idea is to slop or at best, slow the process of decay!! Bear in mind that there is salvagable leather and leather which has passed the point of no return! Jim :cheers:

Do let us know AlecH, before we all take to peeing in our boots Jim :cheers:

Are we talking about Arkady Kamanin? Jim :cheers:

Scoreboard update! 19 points - JimZ 15 points - Harvey 10 points - Hauptmann 7 points - Christophe 5 points - Gunner 1 5 points - UB6365 3 points - Valter 2 points - kapten_windu 1 point - Tachel Question 67 is currently open - See above (post 698) Jim

Hey guys....well done on your effort. I've posted some more stuff and am hoping to see some more from you all! Would like to get creative but I have chosen to stick a simple picture to showcase the orders!! They are really gorgeous after all!! When I tune in to GMIC I am now seeing soviet stuff on the top of the page!!! Shows that we are still around!! Bring it on guys!!! Jim :cheers:

Scoreboard update! 19 points - JimZ 15 points - Harvey 10 points - Hauptmann 7 points - Christophe 5 points - Gunner 1 4 points - UB6365 3 points - Valter 2 points - kapten_windu 1 point - Tachel Question 66 is currently open - See above (post 688) Jim

Excellent Dan. Yes...lets try to bring out the heavy guns and take them all the way to the panel. As I said, I am not in it to win it......But I will be upset if nothing goes to the Soviet section!!!!! Still a couple of weeks to go!!! Jim :cheers:

Thanks Spaz!! I appreciate the comment! They are pics that I took ages ago and you are encouraging me to take more. I doubt that they they'll get more impressive than the OBK3 in terms of the actual awards but in terms of beauty, we've got the advantage - Soviet ODM'S are in my opinion the top models in the ODM world. Yes other countries also churn out the odd beauty but hey..... I have yet to see a soviet Order that does not turn heads!! Will look forward to seeing your pictures. Jim :cheers:

No changes to the scoreboard! 19 points - JimZ 15 points - Harvey 10 points - Hauptmann 6 points - Christophe 5 points - Gunner 1 4 points - UB6365 3 points - Valter 2 points - kapten_windu 1 point - Tachel Question 65 above is cancelled and UB6365 will ask a new one! Jim

Dear UB6535, I felt like I was going to go in circles as soon as I read the question - specifically, the Order of the Garter which I consider to be largely the rich boys (royals) club is in principal, incompatable with the Soviet Union! But I thought I'd learn something new - perhaps one of the marshals of the USSR....contribution to science....that got me really scratching my head. When I went over the list of the knights of the Order, I realised this was going to be even more tricky! And indeed it was! Please refer to the rules on post 1. Specifically "4. The trivia question must have a connection to the Soviet Union & former Eastern Block Countries, as it is the purpose of this Forum. The trivia could involve history, people, awards, badges or items. The trivia question needs to relate to a time-frame. For example, when was this award first established? Or When did East Germany come into existence? [PROPOSED ADDITION - THE QUESTION MUST HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER - A DATE, AN EVENT, A STORY - IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS BUT SHOULD ENCOURAGE ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND TO THE ANSWER. QUIZ HOSTS MAY REQUEST A MEMBER TO NARROW DOWN THE SCOPE OF THE "QUESTION IF TOO MUCH INFORMATION IS REQUESTED. QUESTIONS SHOULD ALSO NOT BE TOO OBSCURE AND SHOULD BE READILY RESEARCHABLE WITHOUT TOO MUCH DIFFICULTY]" To this effect I suggest that this question is scrapped and that you ask another one within the confines of the Soviet Union. You have given us some very interesting challenges and I have no doubt you will continue to do so. Jim

Hi UB6365, I am baffled by this question although I am sure there is a logical explanation. I know that order of the Garter is the most exclusive club but there seem to be no "soviet" recipients. Of course there are a couple of royals hailing from Romania and Yugoslavia and I am not sure if the reply may lie in these others. However, if I had to give a name it would be Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia, recipient of all above and other awards.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_II_of_Russia What was his biggest contribution to science - beats me! I am not even sure I am looking at the right person. He also hardly qualifies as a soviet were it not for the fact that he was murdered in 1918. Perhaps I'm on a wild goose chase..... Jim :cheers: