Gerd Becker

Gentlemen, would anyone of you be willing to order a copy for me too? I don?t have a creditcard and i don?t want to send a cheque. I could pay the amount back with paypal (of course including all your expenses). Any help is much appreciated. all the best, Gerd

Andreas, i can finally provide the Unit-History of the 116th Tank Brigade: 116th Tank Brigade Formed February-March 1942 in Volga Military District with 323rd Tank Battalion 324th Tank Battalion 116th Motorized Rifle Battalion The 116th Tank Brigade trained in Volga Military District until July, when it was shipped to the Voronezh Front. It served as a seperate support brigade in various armies in the Voronezh Front for the rest of 1942 and early 1943. In January 1943 formed the Army Mobile Group for 40th Army with: 323rd Tank Battalion: 15 KV?s, 8 T-70?s in 3 companies 1 submachine gun company in 9 captured German armored half-tracks 1 76mm Antitank Battery (4 guns) 1 37mm anitaircraft section (2 guns) 1 Mortar Platoon (4 X 82mm) On 9. February this group helped liberate Belgorod, but the brigade as a whole took heavy losses from Manstein?s counterattack in February-March, and the 116th Tank Brigade was evacuated to Volga Military District in STAVKA Reserve for rebuilding in March 1943. Between March and July 1943 the brigade was rebuild as a medium tank brigade and assigned to the 8th Mechanized Corps. It remained assigned to the 8th Mechanized Corps for the rest of the war. On 6. December 1943 the brigade was awarded the honorific title: "Alesandriiskikh" Source: Charles Sharp "Soviet OOB of WWII" Gerd

Very nice Ribbon bars, Rick.

I completely oversaw, that he was in the 119th too, so here is the Unit History for this unit too: 119th Rifle Division Formed on 19. August 1939 at Krasnoyarsk in the Siberian Military District. On 22. of June 1941 it was still in that district with: 365th Rifle Regiment 421st Rifle Regiment 634th Rifle Regiment 349th Light Artillery Regiment 224th Sapper Battalion 143rd Reconnaissance Battalion The 119th was a Motorized Rifle Division util 17. April 1940, when it was converted to a regular rifle division in the Siberian Military District. At the end of June it moved west with the rest of the 24th Army to join the Reserve Group of Forces west of Moscow. Early in July the 119th was removed from the 24th Army and in mid-July it was assigned to the 30th Army, being formed at Olenino. By the end of July the 119th RD was assigned to the 31st Army in the Reserve Front. When the German offensive started at the end of September, the 31st Army retreated northeast to Kalinin, and was added to Kalinin Front. As it moved back, on 18. October 1941 the 365th Rifle Regiment left the 119th Rifle Division and was added to the 18th RD. To replace it, the 920th Rifle Regiment, formed from Reservists, was added to the 119th. By late November, despite heavy fighting around the city of Kalinin, the 119th Rifle Division had 7200 men, which was above average for the divisions in Western and Kalinin Front at that time. In early January 1942 the 119th Rifle Division was shifted to the 22nd Army of Kalini Front. Late in the month the 119th moved south behind the german flank at Rzhev, supporting the drive by the 11th Cavalry Corps towards Vyazma. The 119th achievements in this advance were enough so that on 17. March 1942 it was redesignated as the 17th Guards Rifle Division. Source: Charles Sharp "Soviet OOB of WWII"

Thats a Hungarian Airforce-Medal for 800 hours safe flying. There are numerous other versions of this medal out there, 1000 hours, 1500 hours.... and so on... best, Gerd

Beautiful set, Dan

Thanks for the update. I wrote Paul a few days ago to ask him, but he seems to be on the road somewhere. Can?t await to get my copy. Do you know, where it will be for sale? Thanks Gerd

Well, that are indeed fantastic scans. Unbelievable, how sharp the details are.

Andrew, do you remember any more info about this group? He got his Glory 1st in 1968, would that have been a belated WW 2 - award?

Andrew, i absolutely agree with you, except these screwback orders are very hard to scan. I prefer to make a photo of mine. I don?t want to drill a hole in my scanner Dave, thats a very clear photo for a first attempt. I am looking at the Sony DSC-H2 currently, it got very good critics has a good lense and steady shot. AND i have a good offer. Anyone using this camera?

Thanks, Andreas Thats a sharp photo too and the Hero-Mother looks good on black background

I have an old Olympus 3.3 Megapixel Camera and i use a tripod, good light and the Macro Function. I place the camera 15-20 cm?s away and use the zoom. Works good so far, but i am sure, i could do it much better with a better camera. But thats my next purchase Gerd

Reverse

Thank you Glad, you like it. I was surprised myself, how well this worked with a red background. Here is another one of my Homeland:

I wouldn?t disqualify the possibility that this was done by a proud veteran himself to protect it. In any case (no pun intented) i would leave them together, even if the case does not belong to it. Just my 2 Euro Cents... Gerd

514183 is the number. I hope, we will soon find out, who this beauty was awarded to. Thanks for looking Gerd

I was testing some new lamps and backgrounds for photographing my items and made this photo of a recent addition. I really like this piece, as its in nice condition different to my other two, which have repairs or damage (love them too though!) I think, the OPW is one of the top three of the nicest desinged orders. I hope, you enjoy. Gerd

Yep, maybe we are lucky Although there must be thousands of these out there I have a few on file, maybe we should start a thread? Gerd

These are indeed very nice medals with the polished highlights and all... What would an awarded one fetch nowadays? Interesting Medals Although i would be happy with the space flight alone Gerd

Thanks, Dan Still not the right one, i fear, but keep them coming all the best, Gerd

Paul, here is a thread with a similar question, asked by Christian L a while ago: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8736 If you need any more advice, you can also pm me or Rick or Dave concerning research. Gerd

Yes, i thought so, but i never saw it THAT CLOSE!!! I have no idea, if its based on a TR period badge, but it could be a successor of the TR Youth sports pins, the stickpins for boys and girls, what do you think? Found another one, btw. Comes with the next package best, Gerd

Peter, is that a "J" on the bottom of badge III? If so, i would guess, its a Youth-badge, but definately postwar. Gerd

Wow, Antii, that was worth the wait BEAUTIFUL!!! Hope, you can fill the rest of the case soon

Thanks to you both