ChrisKelly

Below are images of genuine NSF badges (The badge with the blue border is for Ortsgruppe / Ortsfrauenschaftsleiterin - a local leader), and an NSF book, published in 1934, which contains a selection of essays concerning the "proper German woman" in thought, word and deed, so to speak. This is one of many books banned by the Allies during the occupation, 1945 - 1949, and purchase, sale, display, distribution or even possession of it was a criminal offense. The first and second images show a National-Sozialistische-Frauenschaft (National Socialist Women's Organization - Frauenschaft properly translates to "womanhood") member's badge. It is hallmarked "Ges.Gesch." which is an abbreviation for gesetzlich geschützt, which translates to "protected by law". Its equivalent in English would be "patent pending". The letters, in stylized Fraktur, are G (Glaube), H (Hoffnung) and L (Liebe), which stand for faith, hope and love. The triangular Frauenschaft badges described above are the 1936 - pattern badges. The 1939 - pattern badges dispensed with the Christian - themed cross and "G H L", instead displaying the more nazified "sonnenrad" and the leben [life] rune. This rune is common on German grave markers, situated next to the decedent's date of birth. Generally, higher leaders' badges also have the heraldic eagle holding the wreath with a mobile swastika in the center, an honor reserved for district, regional and national leaders. Additionally, a border of oak leaves and acorns was added to indicate leadership positions at the highest levels. This would also be the badge of the Deutsche Frauenwerk, established in 1939 as the womens' home-front contribution to the war effort. However, while the Frauenschaft provided oversight to the Deutsche Frauenwerk, members/participants in the Deutsche Frauenwerk were not members of the NS - Frauenschaft based on the similarity of their badges or their collaborative efforts, nor were DF members automatically enrolled in the NSF based on DF membership. Great reference sites: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:N.S.-Frauenschaft-Abzeichen https://gmic.co.uk/topic/23834-frauenschaft-badges/ https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collectibles/frauenschaft-the-nazis-womens-league

I have a much better image of the fifth picture from the above post... Sorry for the redundancy. Source: https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/merchant-navy-veterans-day-in-cape-breton-brings-back-a-lot-of-memories-100888539/

As such... Couple of close - on images of an original Royal Mint/British issue Pacific Star on its original ribbon. I also have the original box of issue.

An uncommon group... Authentic! Original issue! Merchant seafarer George William Cann served with the Canadian Merchant Navy during the Second World War. He was awarded the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Bar, and the War Medal 1939-1945. However... The CVSM was only authorized for Canadian Merchant Navy seafarers on 14 March 2001, by then - Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson. Nonetheless, his other two were originally awarded him for his war service prior to the turn of the century. Sources: https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/lifestyles/they-were-my-heroes-cape-breton-naval-veteran-to-be-honoured-saturday-100928271/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrienne_Clarkson

This is what I got from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the descendant of the Bureau of Merchant Seamen and Shipping. It is a transcription of Merchant Shipping Notice 279, issued in 1946, and appended to include awards up to 1992. This notice originally governed awards of the campaign stars to merchant navy seamen. QUALIFYING MEDALS FORM MSF4707.doc

No blunder. No problem. Let's examine these medal groups. Post#1: Duncan... The first medal group is not possible. It's missing the War Medal 1939 - 1945. Someone mounted these two groups after the war. After all, these medals were issued, at the earliest, 1946 - 1947. Likely a collector, enthusiast or tailor. The second group is highly unlikely. It's missing the War Medal 1939 - 1945. However... Someone might have been, say, in the Home Guard, which explains the Defence Medal, and somehow received a "special award" of the 1939 - 1945 Star for less than 180 days' operational service. Post#5 A well - worn group likely to a soldier on active service, a late - comer to the Forces who squeezed into Northwest Europe in 1945. Monty needed replacements badly by January 1945, to assault the Reichswald and eventually cross the Rhine. The 1939 - 1945 Star is missing likely because the recipient did not have 180 days' operational service. The Defence Medal may be present because the recipient is ex - Home Guard. All the medals look genuine period pieces, as are the pin brooches and the ribbons. The Defence and War Medals are likely British issue, as the Canadian Defencd and War medals were struck in 80% silver, and no Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Rhodesia War Medal(s) are present. Those Commonwealth nations, including India, issued the cupro - nickel Defence and War Medals. They're in great condition for mounted medals, with the exception of the ribbons in the third group.

One thought... According to regulations from May 1945, anyone awarded one of the campaign stars always gets a 1939-1945 War Medal, regardless of position or capacity, even if the minimum 28 days' service requirement for the 1939-1945 War Medal has not been met. There were also amended regulations from July 1946, and this did not change. There were no exceptions made to the award of the 1939-1945 Star, other than the "special awards" such as the Battle of Britain or the Dieppe Commando Raid. Aircrew required 60 days operational service (60 days flying), soldiers required 180 days anywhere outside the U.K., and seamen/sailors required 180 days at sea. All the campaign stars, except the Air Crew Europe Star, were awarded for one day operational service, only during the last six months (10 November 1944 - 8 May 1945 in the European Theater, 3 March 1945 - 2 September 1945 in the Asiatic - Pacific Theater). Only one star, the last qualifying theater of operations, was awarded. Earning the 1939-1945 Star first was not required during the last six months. LtCol Colin Campbell Mitchell, the Argyll of "Mad Mitch" fame, landed in Italy as a replacement officer sometime in March 1945. War ended five weeks later. Italy Star and 1939 - 1945 War Medal awarded. His Defence Medal was granted for three years' service in the Home Guard in the U.K., when he was a student, before he went into the army. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Mitchell

Possible. Like most British & Commonwealth outfits, storied history by battalion(s). "13354 L/NK RAM SINGH IND. GRS." 》"13354 Lance Naik Ram Singh Indian Grenadiers". Lance Naik - lance corporal. Equivalent rank in cavarly outfits, acting lance daffadar... Havildar - sergeant, subedar - warrant officer, jemadar - lieutenant.

Given the images, here's the crucible: On the original Burma Star, the center line on the "E" is always shorter than the lines on top and bottom. The king's crown is always well centered. The center dimples on the king's crown... Always 4&1/2, not 5. The originals have 7 "pearls" on each side of the king's crown. Observation: On the originals, the arms of the star look faceted. The star in the last two images in Post#1 show a line... Tell-tale sign of a cast copy. The original stars are struck, not cast. In those last two images, the star's suspension ring looks too big. The lettering in the center circlet is wider than on the original... Sometimes called "lettering is too rounded". The slight crease on the reverse of the suspension loop at the top of the star is an indicator of an original. Not all original stars have this detail, depending on which mint struck them. Notice the "VI" on the obverse of the star in the first two images. On all original stars the top should be connected. No line at the top between the "V" and the "I". Gordon's images are a textbook example of an original Burma Star that has not been part of a mounted group, and the ribbon is likely an original period ribbon. It looks like a British Royal Mint issue. There are Canadian, Australian and Indian struck stars which are original, and have slightly different details. Nonetheless, the finer points enumerated in the paragrahs above are common to all original period issue stars.

This is the text of the 1998 decision: THE ATLANTIC STAR In the Merchant Navy the qualifications for the award of the Atlantic Star are: a) The 1939-45 Star must have been earned by six months’ service at sea and there must be a further six months’ service anywhere at sea rendered since the 3rd September 1939, and until the 8th May 1945, with one or more voyages in the following area during the second six months... If twelve months’ service at sea has not been rendered, the Atlantic Star will be awarded only in the following circumstances; d) Seamen who have not already earned the 1939-45 Star but who served in the Merchant Navy at sea in the area specified in paragraph (a) above during the last six months of operational service up to the 8th May 1945, will qualify for the Atlantic Star, provided that service was not subsequently rendered in another operational area. The 1939 – 45 Star will not be awarded in such cases. RSS/MSF4707/Revised 27/07/98 Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81dda3e5274a2e87dbfe4f/MEDALS_QUALIFICATIONS_LEAFLET-new.pdf It was based on this: COMMITTEE ON THE GRANT OF HONOURS DECORATIONS AND MEDALS IN TIME OF WAR CAMPAIGN STARS AND THE DEFENCE MEDAL THE 1939-45 STAR, THE AFRICA STAR, THE ATLANTIC STAR, THE AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, THE ITALY STAR, THE FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR, THE PACIFIC STAR, THE BURMA STAR, AND THE CLASPS TO THESE STARS. THE DEFENCE MEDAL. CHEVRONS FOR WAR SERVICE. Presented by the Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister of Defence, to Parliament by Command of His Majesty May 1945 LONDON HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE THREEPENCE NET Campaign Stars and Clasps. General 11. (i) Entry into operational service (b) The expression " entry into operational service " in the case of the new Stars is subject to the qualification that six or two months operational service must already have been rendered. Qualifying service for any one of the new Stars may not run concurrently with service qualifying for, and preceding the date on which a candidate qualifies for the award of the 1939-45 Star. (vii) The last six months In the case of persons in operational service on the 8th May, 1945, that is to say, at the end of active hostilities in Europe, the Italy and France and Germany Stars will be granted by virtue of entry into a theatre of operations, and the prior six or two months service requirement will not apply. A similar waiving of the prior service requirement will extend to the Atlantic and Air Crew Europe Stars. The actual service requirement for the Atlantic Star will also be reduced to entry into operational service, and a similar provision will apply to air crew in relation to the Air Crew Europe Star. The 1939-45 Star will not be awarded in any of these cases in which operational service amounts to less than six or two months respectively. Source: https://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/hmso/campaign_stars_defence.htm#google_vignette

Curious to know how this tradition started... I've noticed that, in all the photographs I have seen from the Second World War, all the US Merchant Marine and British Merchant Navy personnel are always clean shaven, notwithstanding exigent circumstances. Military navies, a different story... Comments? Thoughts? Some interesting things: First image: This Aug. 29, 1945 file photo shows Prince Philip of Greece, during a naval visit to Melbourne, Australia. (Associated Press photograph). Second image: Sporting a beard, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Crump, a Navy journalist, sits in his office in Naples, Italy, in 1971. (Stars and Stripes) Further Reading: https://news.usni.org/2014/10/23/brief-history-grooming-u-s-navy

Agreed, it's badly written. Sounds like something that came from the Lords. That's how those bluenoses talk and presumably write. "The Last Six Months" interpretation sounds like award of the Atlantic Star can be made regardless of previous service... One voyage in the area of opetations between 10 November 1944 and 8 May 1945 will qualify, even if the 1939-1945 Star hasn't been awarded first, by 160 days at sea [this is mentioned to preclude "special awards" of the 1939-1945 Star, granted for less than six months operational service]. Here's one interpreatation: (6) Service spent in qualifying for one star could not run concurrently with service qualifying for another, except that an individual who had completed the six or two months' operational service required for the award of The 1939-45 Star was not required to complete this period of qualifying period a second time in order to begin to qualify for another star. A similar arrangement applied to the prior service qualification for awards in the Navy and Merchant Navy of The Pacific Star, The Burma Star and The Italy Star. An exception was made to this rule in the case of the Merchant Navy as regards to The Atlantic Star that is mentioned in the text referring to it. (9) Personnel of the Navy and Merchant Navy who were on operational service in the Italian theatre on 8th May, 1945, or during the six months immediately preceding it, were granted The Italy Star by virtue of entry into a theatre of operations, and the prior six months' service requirement did not apply. A similar waiving of the prior service requirement extended to The Atlantic Star. The actual requirement for The Atlantic Star was thus reduced in that period until it consisted merely of entry into operational service. (10) Personnel of the Navy and Merchant Navy who were on operational service on 2nd September, 1945, in the Pacific or Burma theatres, received The Pacific Star or The Burma Star, as the case might be, by virtue of entry into a theatre of operations, and the prior six months' service requirement did not apply. In such cases only one star was awarded for service at sea during the last six months in the Atlantic, Italy, Pacific and Burma areas. The star awarded was the one appropriate to the last area in which service was rendered. The 1939-45 Star was not awarded in cases where the operational service amounted to less than the necessary six months. Sources: https://www.birkenheadrsamedals.nz/medals-details.php?MedalNumber=260 https://www.birkenheadrsamedals.nz/medals-details.php?MedalNumber=245

I read the regulations relating to awards of the Atlantic Star to Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel, presented to the parliament in May 1945. How, when and why were the regulations changed to allow award for "the last six months", so to speak... My relevant sources are below... https://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/hmso/campaign_stars_defence.htm https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81dda3e5274a2e87dbfe4f/MEDALS_QUALIFICATIONS_LEAFLET-new.pdf https://www.hms-vengeance.co.uk/atlstar.htm#:~:text=The last six months (8th,only - one day is enough.&text=After qualification for the 1939,six months service afloat first). https://www.hms-vengeance.co.uk/atlstar2.htm

Real or fake?

Image 1: Everyone loves gradpa's stories of the Great Patriotic War! Image 2: Victoria! You need more medals!

My small collection, including a miniature. I wish I could get research on these medals.

An interesting award... Recipient is first on the left in the photograph. Source: https://www.omsa.org/russian-50th-anniversary-of-victory-medal-to-an-american-nurse/

From my research, since 2010, this medal is awarded only for "combat service/military merit" and is struck in silver. It is no longer [since 2010] awarded to veterans of the Great Patriotic War due to their veteran status.

On the original issues, from 1994, what's the difference? Some have a mintmark on the reverse of the planchet, some have a mintmark on the suspension ring, some have no mintmark... Is it just a difference in where the medals were made [Moscow or Saint Petersburg], or is it an indicator of genuine or reproduction?

One more, in answer to previous posts... Source: https://asiatimes.com/2020/03/russia-puts-a-lid-on-military-medals/ The Daily Report Asia Times POSTED IN RUSSIA Russia puts a limit on military medals The Russian military has issued a new regulation: no more than 10 medals can be worn on parade uniforms By DAVE MAKICHUK MARCH 4, 2020 Soviet generals were never particularly modest about wearing military medals at special occasions, including famed Second World War Marshal Georgi Zhukov, whose chest was practically buried behind glittering metal. And rightly so, at least he earned his medals. During the Cold War, Russians liked to joke about Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, whose parade uniform groaned under the weight of the 114 medals had he had either been awarded or had awarded himself. What would happen if Brezhnev were eaten by a crocodile? The crocodile would be sh—ing medals for two weeks! Today’s Russian commanders are a bit more modest when it comes to military decorations. But some officers are wearing so many medals, that Russian troops mockingly call them “iconostases,” after the wall of icons and paintings found in Eastern Orthodox churches, according to a special report by Michael Peck of The National Interest. So in 2019, the Russian military finally issued a new regulation: no more than 10 medals can be worn on parade uniforms. “Only two rows of five medals each can now be worn,” said the Russian newspaper Izvestia. “That is, service personnel can pin no more than 10 medals, awards, and departmental heraldic badges onto two boards on the left side of the tunic. Civilian awards and badges of public organizations are banned from parade uniforms. Previously some officers ’ uniforms had entire ‘iconostases,’ as they were humorously known by the troops. And this flippant attitude toward decorations did not help raise the authority of officers and prestige of the Armed Forces.” It is not known if Russian President Vladimir Putin had a hand in the new rule, but Izvestia highlighted the more modest dress of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu: “The head of the military, who has received dozens of awards over the years of work in high posts, has shown a personal example to subordinates. Sergei Shoigu entered the parade on May 9 in his uniform, on which there were only two rows of the five most significant orders and medals. In addition to the ‘Golden Star’ of the Hero of Russia, the orders of Alexander Nevsky and “For Personal Courage,’ as well as other top awards, were attached to the minister’s formal tunic.” That’s far less chest fruit salad than Brezhnev, who even bestowed WWII decorations on his son-in-law, who was just 5 years old when the medals were supposed to have been earned (Brezhnev himself served as a commissar in WWII), the report said. The late Soviet leader’s self-promotion was so flagrant that in 1989, seven years after Brezhnev had passed away, the Soviet government actually stripped him of the Order of Victory, the Soviet Union’s highest military award, the report said. Compare that to Robert Lewis Howard, a Vietnam veteran who is considered the most decorated American soldier. Howard, who retired as a lieutenant colonel and passed away in 2010, also had a chest emblazoned with medals: 88 decorations to be exact, including the Medal of Honor and a staggering eight Purple Hearts, the report said. Indeed, Howard reportedly could have garnered six more Purple Hearts for wounds in combat, but “told his superiors the other six injuries weren’t severe enough to warrant a medal and he refused the awards.” [Russian Cold War and WWII military veterans display their hard-earned medals in Moscow. Credit: File photo.]

This is not unique to Russia. America's examples below... Third image is, "Air Force releases criteria for new valor “V”, combat “C” and remote “R”" [these are ribbon bar devices for both individual medals, such as Achievement Medals, Commendation Medals, Air Medals and Bronze Star Medals, etc., as well as the many unit award ribbons]: See also/Source: https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/335917-what-is-the-funniest-dumbest-thing-you-saw-or-heard-while-in-the-service/page/4/#comment-3028016 Here's a 75th Anniversary Parade Participant Medal from Belarus. For Participants in their Victory Day Parade in Minsk on 9 May 2020. Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/174319102347?hash=item28963a698b:g:1ZwAAOSwmIJe6R1u&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8KlsMXif1Sm1BCmv6G16ZG6AezHObIRuw2FamlNlxUfxTruYntfBvd8nz%2Bx2slA%2BhYK8zOtdB0IZNCxCUY8mOv%2Bh2EPdiy%2BuYtYZlpvMzWdDCeg3L51pgTjCAhdchRxcW0hF4cK8y3TJ0VxUMO6jg0yCVfeT7nHjlgl1tXQgZI99WGeDd2IHw8M%2BZCfooEy%2BroXi8oV8KV3g%2F2kyz6Q%2FmYpGjsuEhfHR%2F4vmWA2MXChKMtU5uBfD78WnW4ugFmLxLNLb8kVm%2Fgn9ev2TaDNaWU6uE43Txx%2FG9FboCVKaFrEJ3qPWtYq1LuSLsndJJhMdTQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8behM_dYg

Images of a genuine issue...

Is it true that Russian jubilee/anniversary medals for the War have been awarded to North Korean Premier Kim Jong - Un?

This may help... Belarus medals, 75th Anniversary of Liberation. Genuine issue is on the right, reproduction is on the left, in images 1 & 2. Genuine issue is on top, reproduction is on bottom, in images 3 & 4.