Taz

Very interesting article Mike, Just in case the link is lost here is the full text. The Scotsman - Saturday, 17th May 1879, page 7 THE ZLOBANA TRAP AND THE KAMBULA REPULSE (FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDANT) MARITZBURG , April 15th , 1879) The news received by telegraph yesterday of tho probable recall of the High Commissioner and the General has caused the greatest consternation here. No one was prepared for it. It is the current topic of conversation everywhere around. The portion of the intelligence intimating that the British Government will decide upon the conditions of peace, and that it is opposed to the annexation of Zululand , has given least satisfaction. We are anxiously waiting for something more tangible than tho fow vague telegrams yet received. Brigadier-General Pearson has arrived in the city from Ekowe, and very well and jolly he looks, notwithstanding his long imprisonment. I have obtained from a trustworthy source the following graphic description of the terrible encounter on tha Zlobana Mountain by one who participated in it :- On the 27th March we started from our camp at Kambula Hill, in Zululand, to attack a Zulu stronghold some twenty miles away, called tha Zlobana Mountain. We numbered about 800 mounted men, and were nearly all of us volunteers that is, we were not Imperial cavalry. We were under Colonel Wood nominally, but the real command was exercised by Colonel Buller, with whom we were all familiar, and who had taken us in and brought us out of many a plucky exploit. It will Bcarly interest English people to know the names of the different commandants ; they want to know the story and its moral. I shall tell it from the point I saw it: writers who saw more may relate more. We started about eight o'clock in the morning, and very cheerful and lively we all were. We thought little of the morrow, or if a, few did they only had in their imaginations a day of success and triumph over our savage foes. We had got to hate those Zulus to hate them with a, personal hatred, something like the manner a man hates a snake, or a tiger, or a hungry wolf, knowing that if we do not destroy it we shall ourselves be destroyed. Well, we started gaily enough. The air was bracing and invigorating; to good lungs and empty stomachs it was positively exhilarating. I may just as well skip all description of the country we passed through or the places we halted at, you will get attempts at the former kind of thing from other sources. We smoked our pipes and laughed and chatted merrily enough during the day, and about five o'clock in the evening we reached the slope of tho mountain. We were here fired at, but took no notice, as we wanted to get along unperceived, and did not think of the enemy being near us in any numbers. When darkness set in we bivouacked each man holding his horse in hand while he lay down to rest, not to sleep. During the night there was a terrible thunderstorm , and we got thoroughly drenched. To describe what a South African thunderstorm is would require the pen of a Macaulay and Onida combined; the imagination must suffice. Let him suppose half-a-dozen British thunderstorms combined and that will do. Well, at four a.m we were all astir, feeling miserable enough. In this state we crossed our saddles, which were nearly as soft and wet as our clothes. We ascended the hill pretty easily, but nearly at the top the Zulus began to make us aware of their presence, and fired upon us from undisceniable fences. We lost Lient. Williams and three or four men of the Frontier Light Horse. We took little notice, however, of this cross fire, as we expected the main resistance at the summit. By six o'clock wo were at the top of the plateau, and our native allies were setting fire to some Zulu huts and collecting the cattle, about 2000 in number, which did not at all seem to understand our movements. The great majority unsaddled our horse for a short time, while, some of the others engages a few Zulus who kept up a desultory fire from some caverns. After a time we collected at the opposite end of the plateau to which we had ascended, and here we found the Zulus in stronger force than we had estimated. They commenced a heavy fire upon us, and we were engaged fully half an hour with them before we succeeded in silencing them; we lost three or four men during this time. It had got into the forenoon, and about 11 a.m. we became aware of the serious fact that while we had been engaging a few Zulus at one side, a very large number of them had come the way we ascended, and others to our right and left, and that we were being surrounded. A very few minutes observation was sufficient to convey the terrible impression to our minds that once more the Zulus had got us into a trap, and that we were going to have to fight for our lives to get out ot it as best we could or die. The wily savages began to appear on every side, not in twos or threes, but in hundreds and thousands. Some of them had evidently climbed what to us seemed a positively perpendicular buttress on our left. We looked to our commanding officer to know what was to be done. Our retreat was cut off, and there was nothing to be done but either "fight it out to the end" or endeavour to escape down an almost perpendicular pass a few hundred yards in front of us. There had been too much " fighting it out to the end " in the two months immediately preceding, Isandula, and the prospect of falling at the hands of Zulus was calculated to arouse all that was selfprotective in a white man. I should have stated that Captain Barton had been detached with a portion of the force to bring in or bury the dead, and that Colonel Weatherley and his corps had also got separated from the main body. Well there was but one outlet for us, and towards it we had orders to gallop. I was in the rear, and when I reached the place the sight was sickening, there was an almost perpendicular pass about ten feet wide and about 300 or 400 yards down, it was filled with rough, ragged boulders,between which were crevicies where, once the poor horse and rider fell he was seen no more. It seemed full of horses and men floundering one upon the other in dire and dreadful confusion, while the Zulus were pouring a murderous fire amongst them. How I got down I do not know; I have not met with a single comrade yet who does. The chief sensation I experienced was that behind me at about 800 yards distance was a very strong force of Zulus, yelling in a manner the most bloodthirsty and fiendish. In one or two places progress was altogether impeded, by chasms six or eight feet wide, and it was only by jumping them, or rather risking the attempt, for many a poor fellow lost his footing and his life here; that farther descent was possible. Nearly all the horses were killed or had to be left before we reached the bottom. All this time the Zulus were firing on us, and, amid the most piteous shrieks for mercy, rushing from the sides of the pass and assegaieing our poor fellows. How any of us escaped it is to me, and almost everyone else, a miracle. Oh God, it was a sickening sight Who had a friend or brother there. At last, somehow or other, I got to the neck of the pass, escaping injury from the heavy fire of the enemy, but only to find that on the plain in front was a big Zulu army engaged with our men, who were divided into parties, and fighting for dear life. It was just hero that the brave Dutchman, Piet Uys lost his life. He had got down safely, but returned to the foot of the pass to assist his young son, where both were cut off and killed. Colonel Weatherley and his corps were almost cut up to a man. They were, as I have said, separated from the main body, and the last that was seen of the gallant Colonel was his commanding figure, sword in hand, killing the enemy right and left, and selling his life as dearly as possible. There were many acts of individual heroism that day, but it is my province to relate what I saw myself, and no more. There were Zulus everywhere around us. Colonel Buller tried to rally his men, but it became a matter of saure qui peut. At the risk of his own life Colonel Buller repeatedly went to the foot of the pass, and returned with some poor fellow behind him who had lost his horse. The retreat home was a flight. We reached the camp in the evening in twos and threes, some with arms and clothing, others almost devoid of either. Some horses were carrying two men, others three; everyone was humiliated and dispirited. We wrapt ourselves in our blankets that night with the devil in our hearts, little knowing that next day we should be dearly avenged. A slight wound in my arm notwithstanding, I slept a sound, peaceful sleep, and awoke at daybreak to see the setting of the morning star, and to realise what I had passed through the previous day. This is one picture of the disaster in " The Devil's Pass " on the Zlobnna Mountain on the 28th March 1879. The personal experience of others will lie different, but the story remains ghastly and terrible. Next morning I learned who were killed. It was to me an awful list. Captain Barton, of the Coldstream Guards; Lieut. Baron von Steitencrom of the Frontier Light Horse; and Captain Hon. Campbell of the Coldstreams, were as brave officers as ever strode saddle. The official reports raveal the losses we sustained in numbers that day. There is a good deal of romance, but more of sadness, in the end of the Austrian Baron who was serving, as a lieutenant with us. Lieutenant Steitencrom served through the whole of the old Colony war, amd had had much experience in the Austrian army before he joined us. I could a tale of sentiment unfold that no morbid, modern woman novelist could surpass. It was getting considerably into the forenoon of tlie 29th before I had sufficiently recovered myself to feel exactly how and where I was. The ordinary morning duties of camp life had been going on and now and then I had come across a companion of the previous day, whos haggard face still betokened how he had been "face-to-face with death". Our camp was to all intents and purposes impregnable. It was proof against an ordinary European army without artillery. About 11 a.m. we learnt that a Zulu spy had been canght, and informed Colonel Wood that the Zulus were to attack us during our dinner hour. Shortly afterwards it was shown plainly enough that this was so. The Zulus could be seen in a huge black mass about five miles away coming on very slowly and leisurely. Everything went on in camp just the same; even the dinner was prepared and eaten. There were 2000 of us, and we were confident, and eager to be avenged. When they got within about three miles the alarm was sounded, tents struck, the forts manned, and everyone stood to arms. The greater proportion of our native allies, fled thinking it was all over with us; our men seemed pleased rather than otherwise to get rid of them.The Zulus appeared to form themselves into battle array about three miles off, the main body advancing direct to the camp and the "horns" as they ore termed, stretching to the right and left. When they got within about 3000 yards, the cavalry wera sent out, and did good service by drawing them on (firing and retreating), within range of the artillery. The cavalry, being a very small force, retired within the camp, and at about a mile range the artillery opened upon the enemy. The rapidity and precision with which this branch volleyed death and destruction Into the dense masses of Zulus was admirable. Ten or fifteen of them were sent to glory every shot; next day they lay in rows. But still on they came with the ferocity of tigers, never halting, never wavering, never flinching or hesitating for a moment. Say what people may about its being animal ferocity rather than manly bravery, no soldiers in the world could have been more daring than were the Zulus that day. When the main body got within about 800 yards the men of the 90th Regiment, who were opposing them. Opened one of the most deadly fusillades It is possible to imagine. The result convinced me that in daylight it is a dangerous proceeding to bring footmen without cover within half-a-mile of Martini-Henris. Numerous as they were, this galling fire stopped the progress of the enemy, and they began to break up and shelter behind stones and trees. In the meantime the forces that had attacked our right and left flanks had been equally warmly received, and the enemy apparently saw that they must change their tactics. They did so, and scattered themselves and began to creep up through the long grass, while one portion made a desperate rush and succeeded in getting possession of a small hill commanding the cattle laager. Here the Zulus showed that they had good guns, for they kept up a heavy fire, which, had it been well directed, would have inflicted very serious damage indeed upon us. As it was all the shots wore too high, and thousands of bullets passed over our heads uselessly and harmlessly. It was necessary, however to dislodge the enemy from the hill, and Major Hackett with two companies of the 90th were sent out and although they suffered severely they succeeded in doing so , firing volley after volley, and at last charging the position at the point of the bayonet. In bringing back his men Major Hackott was fatally wounded (it is feared), and Lieut. Bright was killed. During all this time fighting had been going on all round, and a, party of Zulus made a desperate rush and got into the cattle laager, driving a company of the 13th out of it. They, however, reformed , and gallantly drove back the enemy at the point of the bayonet. The artillery all the while had been pouring grape and canister into the Zulus with murderous precision. Lieut. Nicholson, K.A., was killed when out in the open with the mule battery. By about five o'clock the enemy evidently began to see we were not to bo taken, and began to slacken their fire, ultimately retiring altogether. At 5.30 P.M., they had fired their last shots and begun to retreat, and the cavalry and horse artillery were sent after them. Terrible execution was the result, and no quarter was shown. Exeter Hall may say what it may, but it was death to every Zulu who came within range of the carbine of a trooper or the stroke of his sabre. The cavalry pursued them about ten miles, returning to camp at dusk. The few native allies we had left did terrible work in this pursuit,and it was difficult for our officers to recall them to return. As they cut off and despatched the retreating Zulus the cry of "Isandhlwana , " resounded in the evening air. The slaughter on that 29th March was terrible; at least 7000 Zulus must have lost their lives. On our side 150 of all ranks will cover our losses. For several days wo have been engaged burying the dead. On the day following there was an affecting sight the burial of the officers who had fallen. Lieutanant Bright was a most promising young officer, and his loss is severely felt none regret him as much as those who were associated with him. We buried him there with many others as brave and as loyal as he; and we shall give him a soldier's gravestone, with his name and his regiment marked upon it, such as have been planted thick in the Crimean hills and valleys, in the green sierras of Spain, in tropical Ashantee, and long ago where waves the golden corn of Waterloo. The country he has died for will soon heed not his fate, and he will be forgotten like many another, save by those who knew him well and loved him truly. Sleep soldiers sleep in honoured rest, Your zeal and valour hearing; The bravest are the tcnderest, The loving are the daring. Regards Eddie

Hi Webr, I think his full name was Carol Meinhard Graf von Lehndorff, maybe a look through the "Regiments-Ranglisten" in the link below could help. http://home.foni.net/~adelsforschung/ind03.htm Carol Meinhard Graf von Lehndorff (gest. 1936), vorletzter deutscher Besitzer von Steinort, unverheiratet und kinderlos, verwirtschaftete offenbar gro?e Teile des Gutes, hielt nicht viel Ordnung, lie? etliches verkommen, war kauzig, aber auch sehr gastfreundlich. Er hinterlie? eine in seiner Zeit ber?hmte M?nzsammlung, die 280.000 Einzelst?cke umfasste und sich jetzt im Besitz der Deutschen Bank in Frankfurt/Main befindet. Regards Eddie.

Gordon, This site may be of interest to you. http://www.nva-fahrzeuge.de/motorraeder.htm Regards, Eddie.

Serbian Medal for Zeal Yes that's right Mike, struck in silvered bronze and awarded to non-combat unit Officers for exemplary service the Gilded bronze version is for Combat unit Officers. Apparently manufactured in France WW 1 period. Should be on a dark blue triangular ribbon. Price would be about ?40-45 Regards Eddie.

Yes that seems an extremly high jump count for what is in effect the 3rd class. Primera ? Segunda ? - ? Tercera 500 - (600+) Unclassed 1-500 I would think that after 500 reached, the jump count for the next class of badge would go down, it has to be at least over 100 more jumps though if the count has anything at all to do with the class awarded. I don't really doubt that the Primera Badge is the highest known class at the moment, the 600 jumps would put the 1st class at about 1500 jumps! Some of the critara David wrote seem to be an important factor in which class the para has, maybe the Cuban para just hasn't taken extra exams or tests. Below are the award critaria for the Soviet Paras as a comparision. Paratroop Badge - After the first jump Best or Excellent Paratrooper - After 18 jumps and additional tests Paratroop Instructor - After 50 jumps and additional Instructor exams/tests. Regards Eddie.

600 Jump Cuban Para badge "Tercera" Class. Seems to be of a lesser quality than the normal ones made in the USSR. maybe the number of jumps does not have a part to play in which class is awarded after all.

AWARD CRITARIA FOR THE ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE I GRADO a) NATIONAL VANGUARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WITH EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS AFTER THE LAST DECORATION AND RECEIVED THREE OF THE OTHER AWARDS FIRST. b) WORKERS WITH THE THREE PREVIOUS AWARDS, WITH EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE SERVICES, CULTURE, SCIENCE, TEACHING AND SPORT. c) LABOUR GROUPS THAT HAVE THE ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A OF III AND II DEGREE (EVALUATE THE LATER RESULTS).

AWARD CRITARIA FOR THE ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE II GRADO a) NATIONAL VANGUARD WITH EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS AND THAT HAS THE THREE PREVIOUS AWARDS AND IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES THAT HAVE THE FIRSTTWO. b) UNION LEADERS WHO HAVE THE ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A OF THIRD DEGREE. c) WORKERS WITH THE THREE PREVIOUS AWARDS, WITH EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE SERVICES, CULTURE, SCIENCE, TEACHING AND SPORT. d) LABOUR GROUPS THAT HAVE THE ORDER L?ZARO PE?A OF THIRD DEGREE (EVALUATE THE LATER RESULTS).

AWARD CRITARIA FOR THE ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE III GRADO a) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NATIONAL VANGUARD AND FOR EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS. (TO HAVE HAZA?A LABORAL AND JES?S MEN?NDEZ MEDALS) b) WORKERS WITH THE TWO PREVIOUS MEDALS, WITH EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE SERVICES, CULTURE, SCIENCE, TEACHING OR SPORT. c) TRADE UNION LEADERS WITH EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS AND THAT HAVE THE MEDAL JES?S MEN?NDEZ. d) LABOUR GROUPS THAT HAVE THE MEDAL JES?S MENENDEZ (THE LATER RESULTS ARE EVALUATED).

Award Critaria a) VARIAS OCASIONES VANGUARDIA NACIONAL Y RESULTADOS A PARTIR DE LA HAZA?A LABORAL. b) DE FORMA EXCEPCIONAL A TRABAJADORES CON GRANDES M?RITOS EN LABOR SOCIAL O POL?TICA. c) DIRIGENTES SINDICALES POR 20 A?OS d) COLECTIVOS LABORALES. e) PERSONALIDADES. a) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NATIONAL VANGUARD AND RESULTS FROM A LABOUR FEAT. b) OF EXCEPTIONAL FORM TO WORKERS WITH GREAT MERITS IN SOCIAL OR POLITICAL WORK. c) UNION LEADERS AFTER 20 YEARS SERVICE d) LABOUR GROUPS. e) PERSONALITIES. Requisitos a tener en cuenta para cada propuesta Requirements to consider for each proposal A) Dirigentes sindicales y personalidades de nuestro pa?s que hayan realizado una sostenida y destacada labor al servicio de la clase obrera y el internacionalismo proletario, A) Union leaders and personalities of our country who have made maintained and outstanding work to the service of the working class and the proletarian internationalism, B) a trabajadores que mantengan durante un gran per?odo de tiempo una abnegada y disciplinada actitud ante el trabajo y una firme conciencia pol?tica y revolucionaria, B) to workers who maintain during a great period of time sacrifice and a disciplined attitude at work and show political and revolutionary conscience , C) trabajadores, dirigentes sindicales y personalidades de nuestro pa?s que durante un gran n?mero de a?os hayan dedicado su trabajo a la direcci?n asesoramiento, colaboraci?n, orientaci?n del movimiento sindical cubano, as? como de otros pa?ses o internacional, C) union workers, leaders and personalities of our country that during a great number of years have dedicated to their work to the direction advising, collaboration, direction of the Cuban union movement, as well as of other countries or international, D) dirigentes sindicales y personalidades extranjeras que se destaquen por sus luchas indoblegables al lado de la causa de los trabajadores del mundo y mantengan estrecho v?nculo de amistad y solidaridad destacada hacia la clase obrera cubana y su revoluci?n, D) union leaders and foreign personalities that stand out by their indoblegables fights alongside the cause of the workers of the world and they maintain outstanding friendship bonds and solidarity towards the Cuban working class and its revolution, E) trabajadores que obtengan relevantes ?xitos en las tareas de la emulaci?n o hayan sido seleccionados Vanguardias Nacionales de sus respectivos Sindicatos. E) workers who achieve excellent successes in the tasks of the emulation or are selected National Vanguards of its respective Unions. F) A empresas, establecimientos y unidades presupuestadas que hayan alcanzado la condici?n de Vanguardias Nacionales por varios a?os y acumulen extraordinarios resultados en el cumplimiento de los planes de producci?n o servicios y dem?s ?ndices de la emulaci?n. F) To companies, establishments and budgeted units that have reached the condition of National Vanguards by several years and accumulate extraordinary results in the fulfillment of the plans of production or services and other indices of the emulation.

Awarded to Workers and Union leaders.

Orden "Al M?rito Deportivo" Reverse

Orden "Al M?rito Deportivo"

?Qu? significa ser Vanguardia Nacional? Vanguardia Nacional es una condici?n superior de la Emulaci?n Socialista que obtiene un colectivo o trabajador, propuesto desde la base, tomando como premisa la excepcionalidad de los resultados y el impacto cient?fico y social de los mismos. Esta condici?n se obtiene anualmente; no se ratifica ni se pierde. Rough translation What does it mean to be National Vanguard? National vanguard is a superior condition of the Socialist Emulation that a group or worker obtains, proposed from the base, taking into concideration the exceptional nature of the results and the scientific and social impact from them. This condition is obtained annually; it is not ratified nor it is lost Eddie

Award Critaria ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE I GRADO a) VANGUARDIA NACIONAL VARIAS OCASIONES, CON RESULTADOS EXTRAORDINARIOS A PARTIR DE LA ?LTIMA CONDECORACI?N Y RECIBIDO AL MENOS LAS TRES PRIMERAS. b) TRABAJADORES CON LAS TRES ANTERIORES, CON APORTES EXTRAORDINARIOS EN LOS SERVICIOS, CULTURA, CIENCIA, DOCENCIA, DEPORTE. c) COLECTIVOS LABORALES QUE TENGAN LA ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE III Y II GRADO ( SE EVAL?A LOS RESULTADOS POSTERIORES ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE II GRADO a) VANGUARDIA NACIONAL CON RESULTADOS EXTRAORDINARIOS Y QUE TENGAN LAS TRES ANTERIORES Y DE FORMA EXCEPCIONAL QUE TENGAN LAS DOS PRIMERAS. b) DIRIGENTES SINDICALES QUE TENGAN LA DE TERCER GRADO. c) TRABAJADORES CON LAS TRES ANTERIORES, CON APORTES EXTRAORDINARIOS EN LOS SERVICIOS, CULTURA, CIENCIA, DOCENCIA, DEPORTE. d) COLECTIVOS LABORALES QUE TENGAN LA ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE TERCER GRADO ( SE EVAL?A LOS RESULTADOS POSTERIORES). ORDEN L?ZARO PE?A DE III GRADO a) VARIAS OCASIONES VANGUARDIA NACIONAL Y RESULTADOS EXTRAORDINARIOS.(TENER HAZA?A LABORAL Y JES?S MEN?NDEZ) b) TRABAJADORES CON LAS DOS ANTERIORES, CON APORTES EXTRAORDINARIOS EN LOS SERVICIOS, CULTURA, CIENCIA, DOCENCIA, DEPORTE. c) DIRIGENTES SINDICALES CON EXTRAORDINARIOS RESULTADOS Y QUE TENGAN LA JES?S MEN?NDEZ. d) COLECTIVOS LABORALES QUE TENGAN LA MEDALLA JES?S MENENDEZ ( SE EVAL?A LOS RESULTADOS POSTERIORES). Translation to follow asp. Eddie

Awarded by the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educaci?n, Ciencia y el Deporte (National union of Workers of the Education, Science and Sport) for 25 years service. Eddie.

Awarded by the Sindicato nacional de Trabajadores de la Gastronom?a y el Comercio (National union of Workers of the Gastronomy and Commerce) for 25 or more years service. As with all the Distinci?n type of awards I have also seen articles where they are also awarded for 20 years of service. Eddie.

Not a great deal on this one. The date isn't the problem it is the 50th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada barracks. The obverse would seem to imply that it is writers Union or maybe library issued anniversary medal. In addition it would most likely be classed a Distinci?n rather than a Medal. Medals as far as I can tell all have the Cuban State emblem as a reverse. Eddie.

This is a State Security related Medal (Juristic). Awarded in recognition to its outstanding and decisive work for the Office of the public prosecutor. Eddie.

Awarded in recognition of active participation in the fight against the batistiana dictatorship until the definitive triumph 1st January 1959 and to have maintained a consequent attitude with the revolutionary principles. Eddie.

The Three classes of the Medalla "Ignacio Agramonte" are awarded for good and excellent service in the preperation for combat readiness. Only the third class of this award is ranked below the Medalla "Combatiente de la Producci?n y la Defensa" another combat/defense readiness related medal. Eddie.

1) Awarded in recognition of exemplary attitude in the Revolutionary Armed Forces and consequent military service for more than 20 years, dedicated to the defense of our Socialist Mother country and its territorial integrity and in occasion when needed to carry out other tasks and functions that the Revolution assigns to them. 2) Awarded in recognition to the maintained exemplary attitude and the results of "good" reached in the activities for the preparation and combat readiness, in the interest of the troops and forces or elements of the territorial defense in its control within the framework of his territory, which has helped notablely in the development and fortification of the defense capabilities of our country in the last three training years.

The Medalla "Calixto Garc?a" seems to be awarded for military and Civilian valour. Examples: Awarded to the Director of a Docks and a Captain who contained and searched a boat with foreigners on board finding 50 boxes of Cuban cigars. Awarded to a civilian Pilot who avoided a fatal air accident, and his recognition to the important development work to narrow the working relations and friendship between Cuba and France, always maintaining a position of deep respect towards Cuba and the Revolution Also awarded posthumously. It was given to the Cuban soldier Yoendris Guti?rrez Hernandez for thwarting three hijackers trying to enforce a flight into the U.S. The minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, General of the Army Raul Castro Ruiz awarded the medal to his parents. Eddie.

Distinci?n "28 de Septiembre" CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution) The Comittee was founded on September 28, 1960 hense the name of this Medal with 122,000 chapters and eight million members, they constitute the largest mass organization in Cuba. They arose out of the need to unite the people in defense of the Revolution from hostile actions by the U.S. Today they serve important tasks like organizing blood donations, immunization campaigns, spearheading neighborhood cleanup and beautification, collection of recyclable materials and environmental protection. All of this is done with the aim of protecting citizenry, property and community improvement.