Hugh

OK, you've convinced me that I really need to root around and find the papers. I think there was an obituary among them which suggested he may have gone back to Viernna to die.

Hi, Rick, I have some papers squirrelled away somewhere in the detritus of 50 years worth of collecting. I'll try to dig them out. My recollection is that, despite your Oldenburg comment, he was identified as Austrian.

Here are the miniatures

This bar seems a little unusual to me. I got it from Reg Williams of Melbourne while I was living in Singapore in about 1988. It was awarded to Doctor Friedlaender, a doctor who specialized in (ahem) certain communicable diseases. His patients included many of the crowned heads of Europe in those days; hence the proliferation of countries represented. It looks as though the kings and queens were having a good time. The following is the list of the complete group. (Griffin and House of Orange are separate; I'll post them later.) AUSTRIA-HUNGARY/GERMAN STATES - to Friedlaender AUSTRIA-HUNGARY - War Medal, 1914-18, bronze, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY - Jubilee Medal, bronze, 1848-98, EF GERMANY - HESSE - Order of Grand Duke Phillip, 4th Class, EF GERMANY - MECKLINBURG-SCHWERIN - Order of the Griffin, Cross of Honor, Breast badge in silver-gilt and enamel, EF GERMANY - MECKLINBURG-SCHWERIN - Military Service Cross, 2nd Class GERMANY - OLDENBURG - Friedrich August Cross, 2nd Class, EF GERMANY - OLDENBURG - House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis, 4th Class w/Crown, Silver'gilt w/ enamel, aEF GERMANY - SAXE-WEIMAR - Order of the White Falcon, 4th Class, Civil Division, in gold and enamel GERMANY - SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE - War Service Cross, 2nd Class, 1914-18, EF GERMANY-PRUSSIA - Rote Kreuz Medaille (Red Cross Medal), 3rd class, EF NETHERLANDS - Family Order of the House of Orange, Commander (3rd Class), Neck badge in silver-gilt and enamel, 1913 RUSSIA - Order of St Stanislaus, 4th Class, Gold and enamel by Edwards,

Thanks, Owain, I was hoping you'd see this. I'll send a clearer image by PM; the re-sizing limits have fuzzed it up considerably. It's so long ago that I don't have a clear recollection of how / when the ribbon came in. I suspect it was not included in the initial purchase. As I mentioned, the medal is mounted in a case with many others, and I don't have a picture of the reverse at present. I'm just lazy enough that I'd rather not take it all apart if I don't have to. Thanks for your interest.

Sorry, this is not Chungmu; it's the Class 3 Order of National Security Merit (Bo-Kook Hun-Jang Cheonsu-Jang). Fingers got ahead of my brain.

Here's a scan of the current Chungmu.

Thanks, very helpful. On a different subject, I assume the 3rd Army and 8th/10th Army Crosses from WW II were also unofficial, and available to all? Did the government permit them to wear these on the uniform?

I found this one in the Kosar Bazaar in islamabad in 1993. It's in a case, so I only have a picture of the obverse handy. The reverse show a 1950's era fighter jet. The medal was made by Hugenin in Switzerland, and cost me all of 500 rupees at the time. The usual questions: 1. Is it official Govt issue? 2. Is it authorized for wear on the uniform? 3. What are the criteria for award? 4. What's the official name?

Here's the reverse. The obv. says "Ibis Redibus". The reverse says "Guerra 1915-18"

I bought the attached cross many years ago in Rome, and have never been able to get a firm identity. What's the name? Was it official Italian Government issue? Was it authorized for wear on the military uniform? What are the criteria for award?

I'd definitely avoid polyethylene or any other plastic. Almost all plastics will out-gas for years. we all use those plastic envelopes, but if you're really interested in avoiding problems over a long term, best to get rid of them.

Did a bit of work with the Aus. Army at Pucka and also up in Darwin on armored vehicles. We had offered an upgrade to the Leopards, including some new nav gear which the US Abrams are just now getting. Still didn't make the budget cuts - there were other issues with maintenance and sustainability with the Leos.

My friend in Taipei has called the Museum. We may get a little more.

At last, the translation ! Type 2 Medal China Air Force Construction Association, HeadquarterAssoc. Leader: Chiang Ke-Shiek(#) 188

The Armed Forces Museum has been silent as the grave, but i think I can at least get a translation. Watch this space.

Sorry, I've heard nothing from my contact in the Museum in Taiwan. I've sent a follow-up but...

Well, yes, actually. (But it WAS in French).

This may be obvious, but have you tried Arthus Bertrand, Rue de Rennes, Paris?

Many thanks, that would be grand. Do you actually have the breast star? And do you expect to publish all three volumes any time soon?

I've just re-opened the Golden Kite page, and I don't see the picture of the breast star. What happened? I was particularly interested since I actually had a chance to buy one in Tokyo about 10 years ago (at Mori Shokai's place). It was absolutely magnificent, huge and colorful and far too expesnsive for me, but I'll never forget it. I'd love to see your picture of it again.

Thanks for the heads-up ! It looks like a great read ! I'll be printing it out for my night table. (Should I send royalties?) Thanks again, Hugh

I have photographs of many of the current ROC awards if they would be helpful. (These are the medals currently available in the uniform shops of Shi Men Ding at relatively low cost.) I also have a few of some of the older awards. Just let me know if they are of interest. I have no financial interest in flogging them; just want to help if I can.

That almost sounds as though you only need 23 more like me to break even? Surely there must be more than that of us out there.