Gordon Craig

webr55, Thanks for this excellent and very informative thread. And congratulations in ferreting out the elusive foreign awards. That takes lots of time and hard work. Regards, Gordon

Sampo, Interesting that the last medal on this bar is the General Campaign Star Of Canada with an Afghanistan bar. Great looking medal bars you have in your collection. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I am going to bring this thread back to life to see if the questions asked above, but not answered yet, can be answered now. I have just purchased a three medal bar with an EKII 1914, a Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach General Honor Decoration with Clasp and Swords, and a Hindenburg Cross. I would very much interested in finding out where the total list of those who received the General Decorstion can be found/purchased. Regards, Gordon

pegasus1831, Absolutely super set of documents. Thanks very much for posting pictures of them. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, I have some of the documents and awards presented to Heinz Krüger. The awards indicate he appears to be your average East German citizen. The first document is dated 30.4.1958 and advises Heinz that he has been awarded the "Tag der Aktivivten". Note that in the centre of the card the logo is for the current 5 year plan. There is also an English translation of what it says on the card as well as pictures of the award. The picture of the award is from my files. I do not have his actual award. I have also included a link to a wiki article about the SED the organization that made the award. Dear comrade Heinz Krüger For your award of the "Day of the Activists" we send you our best congratulations and further successes in your cooperation with the Central Committee of the SED. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social...rty_of_Germany The next award to Heinz that I have in my collection is for the "Verdienstemedaille der Deutschen Demokratischen Replublik. The first document is his invitation to the ceremony where this award will be presented to him. It will take place on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the DDR at 9 am on the 3rd of October, 1959. That will be followed by the award certificate, in it's mappe, and the case award. The document that unfortunately was damaged when the envelope it was contained in was sealed. Also below is a picture of the Ausweis authorizing Heinz to wear this award. The last award I have for Heinz is the "EHRENNADEL FÜR VERDIENSTTE UM DIE FREUDENSCHAFT DER VOLKER IN SILBER". This doc dates from much later in Hienz life. Berlin 15.12.1981. I'll start with the pictures of the mappe and document and the award itself. The award is the larger type measuring 32mm. This size award was used from 1967 to 1987. It is made of bronze and coloured silver. Unlike the previously issued awards there is no enamel on this type. Since it was issued in the 80s it has the simplified, and last, type of pin attachment used in the DDR.

angus 1235, I can help you with this if it is ok with you in what I propose. The best place to post these pictures would be in the Wehrmach Awards Forum on the Police and Civil Organizations sub forum. http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62 You can not post pictures there unless you are a paid member but I can post the pictures for you if that is ok with you. Regards, Gordon

pegasus1831 Get set to a chap who served in Korean. Perfect example of what to look for. Thanks for posting it. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, This the Slovakian War Victory Cross. Regards, Gordon

nickstrenk, Thanks very much for posting this thread. I is full of very interesting information and photos. Regards, Gordon

Tobias, Very nice uniform collection. First time that I have seen the boots. The two coats are very interesting as well. Regards, Gordon

Igor, Thanks for the quick response. I am familiar with this site. Regards, Gordon

Igor, Nice pictures. How did you identify the maker? Regards, Gordon

BalkanCollector, Thanks. Regards, Gordon

BalkanCollector, Although this goes against convention, I think that the First Class award is the lowest and the Third Class the highest for this commemorative award. The numbers made would seem to indicate this. Although the largest number awarded was the Third Class. I am aware of one other award where this was the case. In Germany in WWII the Nahkampfspange (Close Combat Badge) was designated as; 1st Class in Bronze for 15 days; 2nd Class in Silver for 30 days; 3rd Class in Gold for 50 days. There is relatively little information available about this commemorative award. I am still searching for the date of institution and the date it was first awarded. I have never seen the First class in a case either. Perhaps it was only presented in a paper packet? If you ever see a Third Class award for sale please let me know. One was sold in 2009 but that is the only one I aware of and it is the one pictured in this thread. Regards, Gordon

Croatian War memorial Cross 1992-1995 The Croatian War Memorial Cross 1992-1995 ( Croatian Ratni spomen križ 1992.-1995 ) was an award of the Croatian Republic of Herceg-Bosna . Awards to the military service were made in accordance with the "Law on Service in the Armed Forces of the Croatian Republic of Herceg-Bosna", by the "Ordinance on the Award of Orders" ( Pravilnik o dodjeli odličja ). The Croatian War Memorial Cross could be awarded to all members of the military forces of the Croatian Republic of Herceg-Bosna, who had made a contribution to the construction of their first "professional" military units (especially the motorized guard brigade " Ante Bruno Bušić ") during the Bosnian war . An award to a non-military personnel was possible, if the award criteria were fulfilled. A total of 1,050 pieces of all classes of the awards were produced, only 104 of which were awarded. For reasons of quality and better competition, the award was made in Italy . Table of Contents The Cross was awarded in three classes ( stupnja = degree). The Croatian War Memorial Cross without decoration (1st class) (500 pieces produced: 21 awarded.) The Croatian War Memorial Cross with palm branch and sword. (IInd class) (500 pieces produced: 50 awarded.) The Croatian War Memorial Cross with palm branch and sword on star (IIIrd Stage) (50 pieces produced: 33 awarded) The First Class shows the basic design of the award, a gold-colored metal cross from Croatian wattle ("Croatian Cross"). On the cross, the coat-of-arms of the Croatian Herceg-Bosna is displayed . The Second Class shows behind the "Croatian Cross", a crossed palm branch and a sword. The Third Class shows the same design as the Second Class, superimposed on a radiating star, similar to the breast star of other countries awards. On the reverse of all threes classes of the award, in three lines of horizontal engraving is the name of the award “1992-95 / RATNI SPOMEN KRIŽ / HRVATSKE REPUBLIKE HERCEG-BOSNE”, the name of the country awarding the cross, and the respective number of the piece.

paja, Thanks for the quick response. i appreciate your comment that the medal seems to be authentic. It looks authentic to me as well. Looks as though It will remain a mystery. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, The Montenegrin Silver Medal for Bravery is well known. It was not made in Gold. However, here is a picture of one that does appear to be made of Gold. Is there a possibility that a Gold Medal for Bravery would be made and awarded? Does anyone have any info a Montenegrin Gold Medal for Bravery? Regards, Gordon

Absolutely amazing! If this did belong to the king there must be a photo somewhere of him wearing it. That I would love to see. Regards, Gordon

Paul R, Its the same one used at the start of this thread. Regards, Gordon

Gentlemen, Interesting reading but it leaves me confused as to what medal that I actually have. Is it a medal or an Order? I believe mine to be a third class using the 2012 medal book as a guide. I bought it yesterday at a local coin shop. It comes complete with the with cardboard issue packaging, the dark red case and of course the medal and the ribbon bar. Perhaps oamotme can translate what the two gold lines on the box and case say in English?

Demir, I would disagree with your use of the terms "replica or copy" for period and post war Ottoman awards made in Germany or Austria. In English, these terms are almost equal with the term "fake". Using the terms "period or post war made" would be far more correct. Regards, Gordon

bmsm, Your welcome. Glad that I could help. Regards, Gordon

Tobias, Great photos! I see that you have both types of belt. Something that has eluded me for years! Regards, Gordon

I would say this cap badge would have belonged to the father. This type of cap badge would be found worn by unteroffizier/fahnrich and also on the woman's cap. Regards, Gordon

Kallarati Heroik Thanks very much for posting these pictures of Albanian cases. A great addition to Eric's book. Perhaps it should be pinned too? Regards, Gordon