Gordon Craig

No one, I really interesting badge. You post some very interesting ones. Here is an English translation of your Japanese WIKI article. Regards, Gordon Balloon Regiment Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Balloon Regiment The Balloon Regiment was a unit of the Imperial Japanese Army . history The former Balloon Regiment Hangar No. 2, used as a civilian warehouse (2018). It was demolished in 2020. The unit was the Army's only balloon unit and did not have a regiment number. It is generally known that the unit flew balloon bombs during the Pacific War . The first military balloon in Japan was launched on May 23 , 1877 ( Meiji 10). A plan was made to use balloons in a rescue operation for Kumamoto Castle , which was under siege by the Satsuma Army during the Seinan War . Experiments with the first balloon, carried out at the Tsukiji Naval Ministry Training School ( Warship Training Center ), were successful, but practical use was shelved as the battle for Kumamoto Castle had already been decided . In 1904 (Meiji 37) during the Russo-Japanese War , the "Temporary Balloon Squadron" equipped with balloons manufactured by Shibaura Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (now Toshiba) was deployed to the Siege of Port Arthur and played an active role in reconnaissance of the battle situation . Following the success of the Temporary Balloon Squadron , a balloon squadron was established in the Telegraph Training School in Nakano , Tokyo the following year in 1905 (Meiji 38) . In 1907 (Meiji 40), the balloon squadron was reorganized as the Army Balloon Squadron, and became part of the Traffic Brigade, which combined the Railway Regiment , Telegraph Battalion, and Balloon Squadron. On October 20, 1913 ( Taisho 2), the balloon squadron was transferred to Tokorozawa Airfield in Saitama Prefecture, which was an army air base . In 1927 ( Showa 2) , it was relocated to Sakusabe , Tsuga Village , Chiba Prefecture . At that time, the force consisted of two companies with two balloons and two reserves . In 1936 (Showa 11), it was reorganized as the Army Balloon Regiment, and was transferred from its Aviation Department to Artillery Department. In 1937 (Showa 12), it was mobilized for the Second Sino- Japanese War , and participated in the Battle of Nanking. In 1941 (Showa 16), it was organized into an air defense balloon unit, and in 1942 (Showa 17), it participated in operations in Thailand , French Indochina , and Singapore . However, the balloon unit's missions were gradually lost due to the development of aircraft, and it was subsequently based in the mainland , with no involvement in spectacular operations . The fate of the balloon squadron changed dramatically in 1944 (Showa 19) towards the end of the war . Plans for balloon bombings to attack the United States were raised, and the Operation Fu balloon unit was organized based on the balloon regiment. The personnel were increased to 3,000, and the balloon unit was organized into three battalions, deployed to three bases : Otsu , Ibaraki Prefecture (1st Battalion), Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture ( 2nd Battalion), and Nakoso , Fukushima Prefecture (3rd Battalion), and engaged in balloon bombing operations. Between November of that year and April of 1945 (Showa 20), 9,300 balloon bombs were released. Between 360 and 1,000 of them reached the mainland of the United States . After the operation, the Fu unit was disbanded, and the members returned to their original units, and they remained until the end of the war in August . Regimental Commanders Tokunaga Kumao Balloon Captain Nagatoshi Kono, Major of the Engineers : October 9, 1907 - Tokunaga Kumao, Major of the Corps of Engineers: March 17, 1908 - Lieutenant Colonel Takaichi Arikawa , May 11, 1914 - Colonel Yoshihiko Takeuchi ( unknown) – August 8, 1932 Lieutenant Colonel Sagara Chiyomatsu: August 8, 1932 – August 1, 1935 Lieutenant Colonel Ryuichi Shimada ( born August 1, 1935 ) Former regimental commanders ( Colonel unless otherwise noted ) generation full name Term of office remarks Tabe Hijiri 1936.6.1 - 1938.7.15 - Katsuyoshi Nagabayashi 1941.3.1 - Shigeru Inoue 1943.6.10 - facility There were two huge hangars in Sakusabe, Inage Ward, Chiba . Of these, the former Hangar No. 2 was completed in 1934 (Showa 9) and was a huge building with a three-dimensional "diamond truss" structure and a semi-cylindrical roof . The former Hangar No. 2 was sold to the private sector and used as a warehouse. However, due to deterioration and damage to the ceiling caused by a typhoon in 2019, it was demolished in 2020. At the request of the local neighborhood association, a monument made from the materials was erected in the Cherry Blossom Viewing Square in Chiba Park on April 1, 2022.

No one, I think that the map shown on the pin is Indochina but the AFAT text on the badge is a bit confusing. However, in the link you attached both AFAT AND PFAT terms are used to refer to these women so I am not much further ahead here. It is an interesting badge and though I have done a lot of research on the French Indochina war, or as it is now becoming common to call it the First Viet Nam war, I was not aware of the AFAT until you posted the picture of your pin. More research ahaead! Indochina: the pioneers of the French army Skip the image carousel on the same subject Vaccination of children in Ha Hoi against cholera by a nurse from the Health Service. General de Linarès decorates a female soldier, head of the PFAT-Tonkin detachment, during the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) parade at the Mangin stadium. Tribute to those who died for France in Indochina during the taking up of arms of the female personnel of the Army at the Mangin stadium. Section head of the Health Service during the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) taking up arms at the Mangin stadium. Female Air Force personnel during the taking up of arms of female Army personnel at the Mangin stadium. Three elements of the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) at the Mangin stadium. General de Linarès and female personnel during the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) taking up arms at the Mangin stadium. Detachment of paratroopers during the taking up of arms of the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) at the Mangin stadium. General Gilles, commander of the airborne troops (TAP) in the Far East (center), speaks with guests at the reception organized for his departure. Warrant Officer Bartier poses with French Red Cross (CRF) personnel after being decorated with the Legion of Honour and the TOE War Cross by General Dechaux at Lanessan Hospital. A legionnaire from the 13 DBLE (half-brigade of the Foreign Legion), wounded in the battle of Dien Bien Phu, waits in the triage room of the Lanessan military hospital. Wounded soldier, evacuated from Dien Bien Phu and hospitalized at Lanessan military hospital in Hanoi. Geneviève de Galard in Luang Prabang, Laos. Welcome to Geneviève de Galard in front of the surgical unit in Luang Prabang, Laos. Geneviève de Galard in Luang Prabang, Laos. On her arrival in Hanoi, Geneviève de Galard was greeted by General Cogny, commander-in-chief of the FTNV (North Vietnamese Land Forces). Welcome to Geneviève de Galard in front of the surgical unit in Luang Prabang, Laos. General Cogny, commander-in-chief of the FTNV (North Vietnam Land Forces), Geneviève de Galard and General Dechaux, commander of the air forces in North Vietnam. Geneviève de Galard gives a press conference at the Hanoi press camp. A woman wearing the uniform of the colonial troops in an apartment in the cantonment of the PFAT (female personnel of the Army). Woman wearing the uniform of the colonial troops talking on the phone in an office of the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) cantonment. Women in a garden at the PFAT (female army personnel) cantonment. Nurses and Red Cross staff during the medical examination of senior officers, prisoners of war in Dien Bien Phu. General Ely (center), Commissioner General of France and Commander-in-Chief in Indochina, and General Cogny, Commander-in-Chief of the FTNV (Land Forces of North Vietnam), salute the flag of the 2nd RTM (Moroccan Rifle Regiment). General Ely, Commissioner General of France and Commander-in-Chief in Indochina, greets the civilian figures who came to greet him on his arrival in Hanoi. Individual water skiing trials on the Great Lake of Hanoi. Geneviève Grall, nurse of the GLAP (Light Airborne Group), stands at attention during a parade in Hanoi. General Carpentier, commander-in-chief in Indochina, presents the military medal to Geneviève Grall, nurse of the GLAP (Light Airborne Group), during a parade in Hanoi. Medical Captain Valérie André, helicopter pilot, decorated by Mr. Letourneau, Minister of Associated States. Evacuation of an injured person by Hiller 360 helicopter piloted by medical captain Valérie André. Vaccination of children in Ha Hoi against cholera by a nurse from the Health Service. Vaccination of children in Ha Hoi against cholera by a nurse from the Health Service. General de Linarès decorates a female soldier, head of the PFAT-Tonkin detachment, during the PFAT (female personnel of the Army) parade at the Mangin stadium. Return to the carousel of images on the same subject Relegated to administrative and health positions during the Second World War, women took up arms for the first time during the Indochina War. They had to fight on two fronts simultaneously: military, against the Vietminh troops who threatened the French colony, and ideological, to put an end to sexist prejudices. From World War II to Indochina In a mobile surgical formation at the front, a nurse at the bedside of a wounded man (Miss Momardin). Relegated for centuries to the family sphere, Western women never had the opportunity, with a few exceptions, to serve their country militarily before the middle of the 20th century. In France, it was necessary to wait for the law of July 11, 1938 for them to be able to enlist. When war was declared in 1939, 6,600 French women joined the ranks of the army to protect the homeland. Not being authorized to fight, they were given positions in the administration, social and health services (as ambulance drivers or nurses) or even in communications. Society gave them no choice: they would serve France as they had served their home, as loving and corvéable mothers. After Pétain announced the armistice, many women responded to General de Gaulle's call and enlisted for Free France, particularly in London. They joined the Free French Forces (FFL), the French Volunteer Corps (CVF) and the French Forces of the Interior (FFI). The women from these different units were brought together from 26 April 1944 within the corps of Women's Auxiliaries of the Army (AFAT). Some of its members even took part in the main campaigns for the liberation of France (Normandy, Paris, Alsace, Lorraine). This was the case for the ambulance drivers of the Rochambeau unit, attached to the 2nd Armoured Division commanded by General Leclerc. At the end of the war, it was with little enthusiasm that the women who had enlisted prepared to return home. They had tasted freedom and danger, had fulfilled their duty as citizens, and had no desire to return to the kitchen. In October 1945, General Leclerc left for Indochina to re-establish French sovereignty, which had been undermined by the Vietminh takeover a few months earlier. Fifteen "Rochambelles" seized the opportunity and embarked on a new adventure that would shake up the organization of the French army. An ambiguous military status Between 1946 and 1954, 5,000 women joined the army, notably in the French Expeditionary Force in the Far East (CEFEO) and left to protect the French colonial empire in Indochina. Among the new recruits were wives who wanted to follow their husbands, mothers who needed money, and former deportees. All of them put their energy and audacity at the service of France and its empire. Despite their full involvement, women did not always receive a warm welcome from the male soldiers they worked alongside. Always relegated to non-combat positions (nurse, ambulance driver, parachute packer, air escort), they were rarely taken seriously – at least until they had been able to prove themselves. They were called the “Merlinettes” in the signals service, the “Air Girls” in the air force and the “Marinettes” in the Navy, nicknames inherited from the Second World War which reflected a form of somewhat paternalistic sympathy towards women. Army Corps General François Gonzalès de Linarès, commander of the North Vietnamese Land Forces (FTNV), decorates a lieutenant, detachment leader... Women serving in Indochina were not given the same treatment as men. Many were assigned to a cantonment outside the security perimeter where the men were housed. When they were attacked by Vietminh fighters, the army gave them two rifles, two revolvers, ammunition and a box of grenades to defend themselves. A female operator from the Cinematographic Service was killed in one of these attacks, weapon in hand. As capable as members of the male gender, women want to be able to fight and bear arms. The decree of October 15, 1951 grants them the right to pursue a military career, like men. This is a big step forward for them. But the absence of assimilation ranks and differentiated denominations still prevent women soldiers from being recognized as the equals of their brothers in arms. Exceptional women To be accepted and prove that they deserve their place in the army, women will redouble their efforts. They work tirelessly, day and night, sometimes under medication to keep going, so that operations take place in the best conditions. Whether they are driving aircraft, treating the wounded, preparing equipment or carrying out administrative tasks, women give 100%. Some of them have become legends thanks to their exemplary careers and unwavering commitment. Military doctor, parachutist and helicopter pilot, Valérie André has a rather atypical profile. She enlisted in Indochina in early 1949 as a doctor and carried out a few paratrooper missions. Discovering the possibilities offered by the helicopter, she returned to France to obtain her pilot's diploma. Back in Indochina, she distinguished herself during 129 missions during which she evacuated more than 150 wounded. She would become the first female general in the French army and would become involved in gender equality in the military. Nicknamed "the angel of Dien Bien Phu", Geneviève de Galard is the most famous female icon of the Indochina War. An air escort, she participated in the evacuation of the wounded from the basin where one of the fiercest battles of the Indochina War took place between March and May 1954. On March 28, 1954, the plane that dropped her off at the entrenched camp of Dien Bien Phu could no longer take off. Refusing to be evacuated, she decided to stay to treat the wounded at the field hospital. Geneviève de Galard thus officially became the first woman present in the Dien Bien Phu camp. In reality, around twenty women were already living there: prostitutes from the military field brothel (BMC), who would lend her a hand in caring for the many wounded. When the fortified camp fell, Geneviève was taken prisoner by the Vietminh forces. When she was released, she was welcomed as a heroine. Her reputation was not limited to France: she was even invited by the American Congress and awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A timid and late recognition Radio France-Asie journalist Yves Desjacques stands next to him with a microphone. Most of the women who served in Indochina would not be entitled to the same recognition as Geneviève de Galard. Many men highlighted their courage, such as Lieutenant-Colonel Massu: "The Rochambelles carried stretchers under fire with such indifference to the risk that the men were deeply moved by it." But these testimonies rarely found an echo in official bodies, when they were not simply censored by the military authorities. This is the case of a passage from the memoirs of the medical commander Grauwin in which he paid a strong tribute to the prostitutes of Dien Bien Phu. In the civilian population, too, the recognition of female soldiers is difficult. In a society that is still not very sensitive to questions of equality, the commitment of French women to the army often arouses incomprehension, sometimes even disapproval. Annoyed by the harsh judgment that some people have of women who enlist, nurse Hélène Carré Tornézy defends her sisters in arms in a letter addressed to her mother. "The AFAT are the daughters of adventure, just as the military are its sons. And here they share the lives of our soldiers […]. I demand common sense and justice for my comrades." Relentlessly fighting the reluctance of some and the prejudices of others, the women engaged in Indochina won the right to be full-fledged soldiers, just like men. Some fifty of them paid with their own lives for this hard-won freedom. As the first women officially authorized to take up arms in the service of France, they will remain in History, alongside the women engaged during the Second World War, as the pioneers of the feminization of the French army. To go further To learn more about the role of women during the Indochina War, watch the documentary Indochina: When Women Go to War , co-produced by ECPAD.

No one, Interesting badge and subject. I found this on-line, in French, and translated it for your thread. I don't always trust WIKI posts and would appreciate more info from you re that badges and why you say it is ATAF badge is for North Indochina specifically. Regards, Gordon Women's Auxiliaries of the Army Recruitment poster for the AFAT, 1944. The Corps of Women's Auxiliaries of the Army (AFAT), sometimes called the Women's Army , is a unit of the French Army created in 1944 and renamed in 1946 the Women's Personnel of the Army (PFAT). The AFAT were created on April 26, 1944to bring together the women of the French Volunteer Corps (CVF, created in London on November 7, 19402 ), the Free French Forces and the French Forces of the Interior 3. They were under the command of their creator, Commander Hélène Terré 4. At the end of the war, there were between 13,000 and 14,000 of them 5. This corps was replaced on February 1 , 1946 by the Women's Army Personnel (PFAT)

Mark, I have given you all the help that I have time for. Time is money and my time is spent on my own collection which is under constant research. Good luck in your search for the possible previous owner of these miniature medal bars. Regards, Gordon

Mark, An almost impossible task. There are a fair number of these miniatures up for sale these days. They can not all be originals. I don't have the time to look at your bars to see if they make sense, at least not right now. You might have some luck by looking at the medal roles for the KSA and the QSA. My research indicates that there were only 78 VCs awarded during the Second Boer War. Since both bars indicate WWI service of some kind so perhaps they are post Second Boer War awards. At least, you might be able to eliminate those awarded during the Second Boer War. A good place to start though. Good luck in your search. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Hilfskomitee translates as "Assistance Committee" making the complete wording on the car translate as "Austrian Assistance Committee for the Bulgarian Red Cross". Therefore, this was a committee set up to do just that. Assist the Bulgarian Red Cross. I am not sure why this committee would be producing these Bulgarian badges unless it were to raise fund for the Bulgarian Red Cross since the card shows a sale price. I don't doubt that this is a Bulgarian badge. Kingdom of Bulgaria: WW1 Badge of Merit of the Bulgarian Red Cross. The badge, with the Crown of Tsar Ferdinand, was awarded to Austrians, Bulgarians and Germans, for meritorious services (or more commonly, for offering significant amount of money) to the Organization. Regards, Gordon

Ian, Since these medals were issued unnamed there is no role that I am aware of. Having this letter with your medal puts you ahead of most collectors who own one of these medals. You know it was sent to Mrs Priest (?) and that it came from the chairman of the WVS at 41 Tothill St. where the WVS was established. I'm afraid this is probably as far as you can go for ownership of this medal. Regards, Gordon

Terry, Thanks for sharing. I think the beret's are special. Regards, Gordon

No one, Some interesting pictures here and not just Viet Nam ones. Thanks for posting the link. Regards, Gordon

Pablo, Welcome to the GMIC with your first thread. I've rotated the fotos for you but I can not help you with that process. You need to understand the foto program that you are using to be able successfully post pictures on any site. I'm glad to hear that you did some investigation on these badges and would like to know more. Better to gain knowledge before you buy Third Reich militaria. I'm not knowledgeable about these badges as I quit collecting Third Reich militaria many years ago. But I would guess that you have had no other responses as the pictures you have posted appear to be of a poor repro of this badge. I would suggest that you compare it to the link I will post to one of these badges on Lakeside Traders. I usually don't comment on badges that I not held in my hand and I am not saying that the Lakeside Trader badge is good or bad. Just suggesting that you compare the two. https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=36469 Regards, Gordon

Megan, I would like to see any Greek medals/awards etc that you can post here. Regards, Gordon

No one, Thanks. Regards, Gordon

Veltro, It is always difficult to authenticate an award through pictures and I am afraid your pictures are not of sufficient quality to take an educated guess on originality. Regards, Gordon

Johny R, Almost impossible to tell from a picture if the document is authentic or not. I had a set of Knights Cross documents made to match a tunic in my collection and they look as close to original as it is possible to get. As for the folder, they were all made by the same person and the name of the maker is in gold, in small letters, on the interior of the folder. My copies did. I can confirm that Erich Kaiser won the Knights Cross on 26.2.42 as Oblt., Chef 6./Pz. Rgt. 39. He died on 28.8.42 in Russland als Hptm. u. Abt. Kdr. seinen Verw., erlegen. (DIE TRAGER DES RITTERKREUZES DES EISERNEN KREUZES 1030-1945). Regards, Gordon

No One, Good to see that we agree. Thanks for all of your help with my two table medals. Regards, Gordon