Taz

PM sent Ibanez, Just in case its not within rules. http://www.soviet-awards.com/forum/index.php? Regards Eddie.

And German Handelsmarine Oberleutnant zur See. Very similar looking to the first ones Chris posted

Guys, Here are some similar Handelsmarine boards. First Hapag "steuerman" with the Hapag emblem in the button. Pic Co Andre

Hi storage, Well it is the emblem that was painted on the U-49 conning tower, if that helps at all. Regards Eddie

The Distinci?n "Ren? Ramos Latour" is awarded to Cuban workers in recognition of reached merits during 25 or more years, in the mining-metallurgical field and had kept an exemplary and matching attitude to revolutionary principles. Also, in exceptional cases, it can be awarded to other workers or to foreign citizens who had contributed noticeably to the development of the mining-metallurgical field. The Distinction ?Ren? Ramos Latour? will be awarded by the Excecutive Secretariat of the National Syndicate of Mining-Metallurgical Workers together with the Mining, Geology and Sidero-mechanic Industry Ministers, depending on the case. Notice this example has a plain suspension and not the useual five sided one.

Distinci?n "Ren? Ramos Latour" awarded for 25 years or more service to the mining and iron industry.

Hello Mariner, The Arab Legion (al-Jaysh al-Arabī) was the regular army of Transjordan and then Jordan, certainly did fight on the allied side. In 1939, John Bagot Glubb, better known as Glubb Pasha, became the Legion's commander and transformed it into the best trained Arab army. The Arab Free Corps recruted by the "Grand Mufti" Haj Amin Muhammad Al Husseini was pro Nazi. On April 25th, 1941 Amin Al-Husseini was made chief architect of the Nazi offensive in Bosnia. Amin Al-Husseini takes the title "Protector of Islam". 100,000 Bosnian Muslims joined the Nazi ranks,seeking Nazi approval to establish an autonomous Nazi protectorate for Bosnian Muslims. Husseini declared Fatwa-Jihad against Britain, so troops of his, or aligned to him almost certainly fought against the British in Iraq Heinrich Himmler, Head of SS, and close colleague of Amin Al-Husseini, financed and established an Islamic Institute ('Islamische Zentralinstitut') in Dresden under the Mufti. The purpose was to create a generation of Islamic leaders that would continue to use Islam as a carrier for Nazi ideology into the 21st century. In my post above there is a picture of the Bosnian Muslim Flag Under Amin Al Husseini. Regards Eddie.

Hi Gordon, Have a read through of the article in this link. http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/2543 Regards Eddie.

Yes, No doubt for other groups too. If I find any I'll post them here for you. Best regards Eddie.

Lol Chris, A Tanker carries Petrol a "Tankie" operates Tanks. Not really much difference any more, Infantry are motorised and Tankies have been Infantry trained for years. My first year and a half was in Assault troop equiped with Saracen APC's. We were trained on Carl Gustavs, Zeberdee radar and used SLR's, SMG's, GPMG's, LMG's, M79 grenade launchers, 9 mm Brownings and Riot guns in that time and later during my two and a bit tours of N.Ireland. Also both times in the NI search team. We trained with the French Paratroopers and Commandos in France Plus the normal everyday tank training. So more of an upper class footslogger come Tankie, only we could drink and shoot better Eddie.

Lorenzo, If its not restricted would you mind posting a few? Both good guns without a doubt I don't think the 105mm has been developed to its full capabilty though. The Challenger trials of the 120mm smoothbore gun started in 2006 but i haven't heard or seen any details on how it went yet. It would make replen a lot easier if all the forces used the same guns and ammo. We Brits love the Ole HESH round though because of its all-round capacity and they can't be used with a smoothbore barrel. Regards Eddie.

Hi Christer I think you will find it means Electrical Artificer 2nd class, so a qualified electrician, who maintains electrical equipment on board. Regards Eddie

Hi Robin, Strictly speaking if you were to take the translation from German to English yes, and probably easier . They belong to the close administration units (Engere verwaltungseinheiten). It would just be an administrative Region or district. However in the case of the SS it also refers to Military structure as a further breakdown shows. Kommandoamt der SS Kommandoamt der Allgemeinen SS SS-Oberabschnitt = Division ( several Abschnitte) SS-Abschnitt = Brigade (several Standarten) SS-Standarte = Regiment ((3-4 Sturmbannen 1,000-3,000 men) SS-Sturmbann = Batallion (3 St?rmen 250-600 men) SS-St?rm = Company (3 Truppen 70-120 men) SS-Trupp = Platoon (3 Scharen 20-60 men) SS-Schar = ( 2 "Rotten" 8 men) SS-Rotte = ( 4 men) Best regards Eddie

Hello again, Well the name of the SS-Oberabschnitt is ?S?dost" Division is only the equivilent name for the Wehrmacht as an example to explain what it is. As an award in acknowledgment for members of this Oberabschnitt only. Other "Oberabschnitte" would have had their own. Just a little more info on The SS structure for you. SS-Oberabschnitt = Division SS-abschnitt = Brigade. SS-Standarten = Regiment (From 1935 Standarte were called regiments) Regards Eddie.

Lorenzo, I notice in the link there is a turret interior photo, is there still a restriction on those? It would also interest me to how the "Chally" armed with the Rheinmetal L55, 120 mm smoothbore testing went compared to the BAE L30, 120mm rifled tank gun which is standard. Regards Eddie

Very nice pics!!

Hello MasterBo Awarded in acknowledgment to the SS-Oberabschnitt ?S?dost" which was the Breslau area. Oberabschnitt in the SS structure is the equivilent of a Division in the army. Hope that helps a little. Regards Eddie.

And a closer view of the eagles head.

Hello JM, The way the eagle is facing is nothing to worry about niether is how the wreath looks. If its authentic or not I'll leave for the experts. This is an example of one I found while looking for info for you. Described as a Police eagle for sports shirts and shorts. 4 1/2" wide x 4" tall. Bevo woven and has been cut from a roll, unissued. Regards Eddie

Here is an example of the 1st class award. Regards Eddie.

Orden "M?ximo G?mez" (I)

Not a great image, but the only one that I know of right now of the Castro era award. Regards Eddie.

Another image, this one with the ribbon. Regards Eddie.

Hi again guys, Here is the information that I posted on the MPHS over at Soviet-awards which is the reason why I asked if they had mentioned it. In my opinion this has to be classed as a special Acadamy for political officers. The Ministry of State Security Acadamies almost certainly had more intense Political training too. At other schools and Acadamies Political training would have been mandatory to a certain level. The "Wilhelm Pieck" Milit?rpolitische Hochschule der NVA (MPHS) was located in in Berlin - Gr?nau. This Academy was for NVA officers who wanted to follow an NVA political career. After Graduation from the MPHS they could be promoted to "Stellvertreter" of the Battalion Commander or work in the Arbeitsgruppe "Polit" of a Regiment, Brigade or the equivilant. They were not only responsible for the Political training of the soldiers, also they were for the organisation of the Culture and Freizeit of the soldiers in their Regiment, Brigade etc. Also they helped the Commander by the organisation of "Wettbewerbe" and were responsible for any other duties the Commander thought fitting. MPHS students were also able to study in Military Academies, either at the MAK in Dresden or Moskau. Regards Eddie.

Hi Gordon, Wouldn't the "Wilhelm Pieck" Milit?rpolitische Hochschule der NVA (MPHS) be classed as a special acadamy for political officers? Or did they mention that in their post? Regards Eddie.