Taz

The Distinction ?Mario Mu?oz? is given to Cuban citizens in recognition of reached merits during 25 or more years, in the communications 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 this field.

The Distinction ?Mario Mu?oz? will be awarded by the Excecutive Secretariat of the National Syndicate of the Communications? Workers together with the Communications Minister.

For merit during 25 or more years, in the communications field

Another of todays additions.

Just in today, the Castro version.

Very nice!

This is an award not included in the original Decreto Ley #30, because it was it was instituted in the 80's.

So we don't really have a lot of information on it right now with regards to the award critaria.

The Brigades of Production and Defense [brigadas de Producci?n y Defensa] constitute an armed organization which arranges the Defense council of the Zone. It develops the participation of citizens in two basic tasks during exceptional situations, production and defense. In addition they fulfill measures of civil defense and internal security procedures.

The Brigades of Production and Defense are created in time of peace at work centers and in the places of residence of the population. They are created from the citizens who voluntarily express their desires to participate in the activities of production and defense during exceptional situations and that for different reasons do not belong to the regular troops (FAR), to the Military services of Territorial Troops (MTT), the organs and units of the Department of the Interior (MININT) or to the organs of work of the Defense councils.

Over 3.5 million citizens are members of more than 60,000 Brigades of Production and Defense.

Regards Eddie.

Thanks again for the help. This tank has no smoke projecters and looks like it has inside damage. Rich a. in Pa.

Try as best you can to make a photo and post it if you can, many Tiger battalions had specific unit field modifications that could help to ID yours.

That damage would seem to put 131 out of the race because a shell from one of the Churchills blocked it's turret traverse during the fight and the crew bailed out without destroying the tank as was ordered.

Regards Eddie

What's that look like?

I know that GIs are mentioned here, but there are photos/paintings in some publications or other of a Tiger I wearing the white shield / blue cross of a British unit after capture.

Leigh,

that certainly must be a possibility, Tiger 131, was captured after a fight with Churchills of the British 48th RTR at Scorpion Gap in Red Cap Alley, Tunisia in May 1943. Markings of the British First Army and 25th Army Tank Brigade were later added.

This tank was restored and is the only remaining, running Tiger and is now on show at the Bovington Tank Museum.

Regards Eddie

Thanks for the help!! It kind of looks a bit like the StuG Brgd.322 emblem. Rich A. in Pa.

Your welcome,

but it seems unlikely that a "Tiger" would be in a StuG Brigade. The emblem below is from StuG Brigade 201. As you can see also with a cross on a shield.

I would tend to hazard a guess that it is a simplified SPzAbt 506 emblem rather than that of a StuG Brgd.

Could you please try your best and post a photo?

Regards Eddie.

Aha,

So it is the SPzAbt 506?

If not its sure to be in the link here:

http://germandressdaggers.com/Panzer%20Menu.htm

or in this one:

http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/abzeichen/pz.htm

Regards Eddie

Hi Rich,

Here is a link to Tiger Battalions, a nice site BTW. More of a help to see what it isn't than what it is i'm afraid, unless it's the SPzAbt 506 1944 emblem.

http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tigers.htm

Regards Eddie

Another nice kit, any idea why the built model hasn't got the CIP panels fitted?

Regards Eddie

Lorenzo,

Another top class model, the paintwork shown on the vehicles in this thread so far has been really outstanding.

As you say though, the Stryker needs some serious upgrading to the armour. The slat armour upgrade shown on the stryker below is a good example.

Regards Eddie

Your welcome Lorenzo,

That Verlinden made model is excellent!!

Regards Eddie.

Land Rover XD WOLF 'Truck Utility Medium' (TUM) fitted out as the General Service (GS) version with 'Soft top' canvas removed and anti-riot screens and wire cutter added for patrol in IRAQ

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct...;manufacturer=0

Notice the road signs etc.

More photos of the finished model here:

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Store/Wheeled...Telic-Iraq-2003

Rear view

Trumpeter British Challenger 2 MBT, Operation Telic, Iraq 2003

Specifications

Scale - 1:35

Dimensions - Length 333mm, Width 114mm & Height 87mm

Number of parts - 435

Decal markings - Iraqi Freedom Operation Telic

Here is another one for you. A lot of info on the VC in this site.

http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/vcross.htm

and here.

http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/

Regards Eddie.

Hi,

Does this help at all?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...ctoriacross.asp

Regards Eddie

Indeed Rick,

This is interesting, notice that it is not in the Decreto ley #30 so must have been added at a later date to the awards system. Maybe Lukasz had the critaria which stated the order of precedence to work from for the ribbon page.

My therory at the moment is that this Medal was awarded to members of the original columns of the Rebel Army.

The use of the dark olive-green for the ribbon the same as, for example:

Orden "Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberaci?n"

Medalla "Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberaci?n"

Medalla " Combatiente de la Lucha Clandestina"

Medalla "Combatiente de la Columna Uno Jos? Mart?"

Indicates to me that this medal was reserved for the "Old Guard" and that the Distinguished Service Medal was for members of the FAR at a later date.

Regards Eddie

I cannot help but wonder whether this is something new, in the general spirit of rediscovered national pride?

Blanket royal assent has been extended to accept and wear the Soviet/Russian jubilee medals, however. The "duplication" rule is very tattered. There was, I guess, some hope that this would silence all the incessant whining about the need for a very retrospective "Arctic Star"; it didn't.

The Arctic Medal turned out as an Arctic Badge in the the end

They campaigned for a medal rather than an emblem to be awarded but a decision was made in 1946 not to create any more medals for WWII campaigns.

The 40th year Anniversary of Victory Medals awarded in the 80's were only allowed to be worn officialy at MOD celebrations after 1994, when the Queen recognised the need for closer relations after the Cold War.

Boxed example.

Medal Ribbon

What is a "Russian Arctic Medal" in 2008?

I think they are still awarded the Medal for the 40th year Anniversary of Victory. Issued by the USSR to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of world war two. This medal has become known as the 'Russian convoy medal' not really Artic Medal as stated, the Soviet government offerred it to all who had taken part in the convoys to Russia during world war two.

The Queen gave her permission for this award to be worn with official awards in the manner laid down for wearing foreign campaign medals.

There was talk about the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal being awarded to British veterans.

Also miniatures and full size 40th Ani Medals are made in England.

Regards Eddie

1^er R?giment de Zouaves

Service and Battles

Date/Service

1852 - Organised and mustered in Philippeville, Algeria

Laghouat expedition.

1853 - Babors expedition.

1854 - 1855 Campaign in Russia (Crimean War)

Sevastopol, Assault on Malakoff (8th Sept 1855)

1856 - Returned to Algeria

1857 - Kabylie expedition

1859 - 4th battalion created. 8th May,Combat in Melegano (Italy) October returned to Algeria.

1860 - 1861 - Syria expedition, returned in June.

1862 - 1867 - 2 Battalions fight in Mexico, they return in April 1867.

1870 - 1871 Franco-Prussian War

1872 - Actions at Kabylie

1876 - Peacekeeping operations in El Amri, Biskra.

1882 - 2 Battalions take part in the M'Zab expedition

1900 - 1901 China (Boxer uprising)

1914 - Charleroi (21-23 August)

Battle of the Marne (6 - 13th Sept.) : Montmirail (9th Sept) Ch?teau-Thierry (10th Sept.) , Fismes (13th Sept.)

Battle of Flanders: L'Yser, Luyghem, Bixschoote, Maison du Passeur.

1915 - Flanders : Steenstraate, Lizerne

1916 - Battle of Verdun : Bois des Corbeaux et de Cumi?res (8-12th March)

Battle of the Somme : bois de Chaulnes, Le Pressoir, Ablaincourt (July-August)

1917 - Marne : Le Cornillet (14th May)

1918 - Attack on Matz (11th June) Aisne: Longpont, Villers-H?lon (18th July) Nampcel, Bl?rancourt L'Aisne (September)

1939 - Oran (2nd-26 Sept loaded and returned to France)

25th-2nd October, Marsaille, 5th October camp D'Avord, 22nd October Maubeuge

1940 - Luneville (7th April), Lorraine Front- Sarregumines (12th May), Dieuze (23rd May), Valmy, Sainte Menehould (27th May), Reims (5th June), Rilly-La-Montagne (6th June), Battle of the L'Aisne at Chamery (11th June), sermiers (12th June), regrouped Arcis-sur-Aube, Troyes (15 June) The Regiment is captured in the Mery sector and escorted to La Courtine.

1944 - 1945 reformed in Algeria and joined the 1st Armoured Division

Docked at St Tropez on the 15th August 1944.

Thanks it?s very interesting...Do you have the same for the others Zouave?s regiments??

Regards

Miguel

Miguel ,

I'm still looking around for info for you, anything new i'll post here.

Regards Eddie