Ulsterman

After you posted this I went to the GWF and snouted around. A lot of the threads from 2008-2004 ended up in the "archive" forum, where they await reassignment to the newer subforums. I couldn't find it. I remember reading this thread because of the in-and-outs explained in great, if not legalistically tortuous detail, regarding who got what for service where, in the Indian subcontinent. The GSM was issued for service in the Iraq campaign, but the BWM was given for service in India from 1914-18, but there was all sorts of inspired bloodshed that occurred on the frontier, the raids by KMS Wolf, U Boats, raids and sallies in the Iraq/Arabian areas...on the Afghan borders etc. etc. I'm still looking over there.

Incredible-just incredible-

According to British Battles and medals, service in Serbia also counted from 1918-1919 the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. There was (is) a HUGE thread about the in and outs of the BWM award ( e.g. given for service in India, but not with a victory medal therewith, Iraq etc. etc.)....at the Great War Forum.

OHHHH- I DO NOT KNOW. Sorry-caps on there/ Must wait for Charles and Gordon to log on.

Google search: Irvings' Hitlers' War. Apparently the translator for the surrender.

If I recall correctly the top one is the "Excellent soldier" badge and the bottom one (25 years) is a badge for marching in the annual liberation parade. Nice!

Are those air force???? :speechless1:

Hmmmmm...given the Centennial though-I'll wager 50:50 odds that the Japanese Order was pre- 1914 (and how many of those are there?) and with the Austrian Merit Order roll being worked upon, we know we have someone in the Reichsherr @ 1919-25 by the 25 year LS award? That should narrow the field a bit, esp. since we know we are looking at a Major General zV.

Did you notice who his son was, Udo Esch. I'll lay odds that he is THE Udo Esch, MD.

Is that a NONCOM EK2? or do my eyes deceive me?

Really interesting career-if I read that correctly he did TWO stints as a one year volunteer. From Chinese expedition "MASH" Doctor to one of Germanys' (and the world's) premier gynecologists. Marburg is not exactly a third rate university. From a quick google search it appears as if he was offered the Chair at Munster University in 1922. He has GOT to be in Wer Ist Wer from the 1930s.

Nice! I like pieces with character. I note on Wikipedia that the notable Chris Boonzaier is someone who holds this medal. :rolleyes:

Again- WOW!! I have never seen an original hat in any condition.

Good stuff. Any chance the Army medal office chap can give us details about the variations and dies?

OH MY GOD!!!! IS that a GRAND CROSS of the Military Merit Order??? The other stuff is awesome too. :cheers:

Here's the old man @ 1926 or so:

Stogie: I was kidding about Sarah Palins' husband. However, there is a plethora...... : ....PLETHORA of information in the CIA's 1988/89 editions of "Officials of Bulgaria" (Party and military are separate books). Both are STILL available at the CIA bookshop....for UNDER $20. Or-you can wait like my cousin until Xmas time :whistle:

Bravo Stogiemon!! I assume this is one of the groups I did NOT get to fondle last week due to my absence? Bah! Humbug!! Mayhap at Lowell. Do you still need directions perchance? Palin, Velko Ivanov, Colonel General: (From my top secret Bulgarian Communist Who Is Who) "Born 1921. Member of the YCL 1936:participated in varied initiatives of the communist youth movement; member of the BCP 1942; sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for illegal activities in Fall, 1942. Released in Spring, 1944. Made deputy commander of Bulgarian army 1944; awarded medal of bravery for the liberation of Nish (I believe that is the Bulgarian military bravery cross-ROYAL style as in your other grouping); participated actively in the rebuilding of the army (i.e purges) after Sept. 9, 1944; studied at Frunze Soviet Military Academy and at the Higher Military Academy of the general Staff of the Soviet Army; promoted to Major General in 1959; Commanding officer of the G.S. Rakovski Military Academy in Sofia: 1963-65; Commanding officer of the Sofia Garrison in 1965; promoted to Lt. General in 1965. Made head of the Main Political Administration of the Bulgarian peoples' Army 1966-1970. Deputy to the National Assembly on 27th February, 1966. Candidate member of the BCP Central Committee 19 November 1966-1971. Full member April 1971. Reelected to Central Committee. in 1981 and again in April, 1986. Promoted to Colonel General in 1969. Chair of the standing Commission of Youth and Sports, 1971; Head of the Military Department of the BCP, 1971. Member of the National Council of the Fatherland Front 1982. Awards included Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 1969 (!); Jubilee Medal of 25 years Bulgarian Peoples' Army 1969; Order of George Dimitrov 1971, HERO OF SOCIALIST LABOR: 1981!! Indeed 1981 was a very good year for Col. General Palin. He is the great- grandfather of Sarah Palins' husband.

Great Odins' Beard!! Now THAT is the find of the year!!!! Congrats old man.

I believe the Military Bravery Cross was one of the royalist awards that was continued during the interregnum before the Soviet-backed Communists deposed the Monarchy. The award may well be for bravery in the field against the Germans. Nice group by the way. Now to find the documents, eh?

Oh Good Lord-the scan is even worse than it looks on my computer! Sorry about this. Anyway, the medals read: Luitpold Cross for home service St. Michaels' order medal Luitpold Commemorative Bavarian civil servats' cross Prussian 1870 campaign medal with three bars Bavarian 12 LS medal Centl. Medal (1897) I shall see if I can get it any clearer.

OK- sorry, the scan is horrible, but you can get the idea (the picture is MUCH clearer than the scan). Below is an old Bavarain Beamter who has medals from 1916 and 1870. Picture probably taken in 1920 or so. Oh, to have his medal bar!

Thanks Lads!! Amazing what turns up at the local flea market sometimes.

The Guard used the 5 buttons for their braid (as opposed to three) and i thought their braid facings were white. However, this may well be a Guard ordinance tunic. I did a LOT of looking through old magazines and prints etc. on-line and the closest I have come is 1st regt. line Hussars 2nd Empire and 1880s. I shall continue looking. See the link below: 'Uniformes les Francaise etc.' towards the bottom. http://grosser-generalstab.de/adjutant.html

Yes it is. A 1825 version would be rare to say the least.