Belaruski

No, but that is a lot closer, geographically.

And Aleg Litvinovich is the man in question!

No, although a good guess, further north...

OK, next question: 1) Who was described thus: "If nails were made of them, they'd be the toughest nails in the world". 2) The leader of these men had a town named after him, with a tragic and ironic legacy. What was it? More clues available if need be!!

Yes you can Christian! This is on sale by Aleg, on Ebay. He's a very reliable comrade! http://cgi.ebay.com/Badge-Belarus-60-years...1QQcmdZViewItem Here's the back..made by SENS in Minsk.

Another Belarusian Soviet tribute piece.

Is the Chinese photographer Li Zhensheng?

Indeed Christian. The Belarusian state motto at the moment is "The State for the People!" Lukashenko has no party as he stood as an independent candidate in 1994. Things like the All Belarus People's Assembly and the frequent use of referenda mean that Belarus actually involves the people as part of the state machinery instead of having a ruling party as its guide. Added to this Lukashenko recently passed a bill on the 'de-beuracratisation' of the state machinery, in an attempt to avoid the creation of a ruling elite, rank and privellage. But politics aside, the BRSM is indeed a republican movement as opposed to a party political one.

It's the same medal for military or labour. A hero is a hero!

Ed, perhaps this ought to be on your list.. Hero of Belarus (still a socialist republic).

The badge is actually nicely enameled. I altered the exposure and the result makes it look like paint! Here's the back.

This is a badge of membership in the 'Беларускі Рэспубліканскі Саюз Моладзі' The Belarusian Republican Youth movement. Heirs of the Komsomol, who still have the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner on their flags etc.

Wow!

I was thinking along the lines of the Black Panther Party!

race.. and 'brothers' makes me think you're talking about a Black man.

Correct! and here he is..

Thanks Christophe! So Question Number 100, possibly an easy one: What was the name of the Soviet tank Commander who first encountered a 'Royal' German threat? What was the outcome, And what did he win?

Is the first man Jonas Ple?kys the Lithuanian Submarine defector?

The second guy is VIktor Belenko, the pilot who flew to Japan, then went to the USA mentioned earlier in this thread. Business card "Victor Belenko. Mig-25 Pilot. World's Greatest Anti-Communist Fighter Pilot. Unconventional Emigrant. Landed in Japan on 9/6/76 with 30 seconds of fuel remaining. No passport. No visa. had a gun and used it. Spent time in Japanese jail. U.S. Citizen by unanimous vote of US Congress."

Sorry I didn't spot this question earlier! Here are some pics. As you can see the leather simply is looped araound the 'bracket' on the buckle, the end of the belt just slides through and is kept in place by the brass stud. The heavily worn/repaired one is interesting in terms of construction, but the bett example still has the backing and leather 'tongue' behind the buckle to protect the tunic. (These belts weren't meant for combat use, but were very popular and used in combination with combat, service and parade uniform.

When I was searching for a previous answer I'm sure I came accross the second man. either a pilot or KGB defector..

just to get the ball rolling I'm pretty sure the second fella is a Soviet defector

Congrats! Whilst we're waiting, here's a question I would like the answer to (as opposed to a quiz!) Does anyone know which Soviet awards President Lukashenko of Belarus won whilst in the Army and KGB frontier troops?

Probably! but quite neatly.

Ed, probably as Soviet copies get better the cast offs get converted. Until eventually (in a year or two) we will see completely fake Orders of Skanderbeg etc. here.