Lapa

Eagle, Could you please post hi-resolution pictures of the front and back, and especially of any markings. Marc

CCI, Could you at least provide some basic clues, such as country for instance Marc

Guys, I would not necessarily be that negative. A couple of years ago, the State Archives were moved from its old place to a brand new, high-tech building in St Petersburg. The Russian are very proud of and highly value their heritage, and especially so their military history. I'd wait to pass judgement until we effectively know the details of the plan at hand. Marc

Snoopy, It is written: Svyatlauskas A. Y. (Balt name) 30914 (military ID number) II 89 (Feb 1989) Marc

Paul, There is a really nice one on the market at this time, for the meagre price of....... $185,000 Here is a better view of the tractor itself. Marc

I cannot be much more precise than that, as I would simply be given the answer away. OK, let's start dispensing a few clues nevertheless. First hint, let's concentrate on the first half of the 1930's. Second, the name "Truro" has some connection to our mystery. Marc

Anyone still alive?

William, I can't comment about the German ribbons, but as to the Soviet ones, that's a rather strange combination and they would be out precedence order. Marc

That looks very damn close, indeed! I'd lean toward this version. Marc

Joseph, Badges for the 5th class were silver. Marc

Seb, No stamps, no signature. Do I need to keep going on? Marc

Yep, definitely them, Rick Marc

Darrell, Left one is definitely Kruschev, right one, not sure. Marc

Right guys, let's try that once more. As usual, the winner is the one who answers all sub-questions In the 1930's, the Soviet Union launched a vessel with a major "peculiarity". 1. What was the name of that vessel? 2. What type of vessel was it? 3. What was its peculiarity? 4. Who was its first captain? 5. What happened to it afterwards? Happy hunting Marc

Rick, The Soviets were definitely the precursors of PhotoShop Marc

Eric, It says "Bulgarian Soldier". Close, but not Russia Marc

Rick, What do you mean by that? He wears Lieutenant-Colonel boards. Is that too low in your opinion to have served long enough to receive the 20 Years of RKKA medal? Marc

Taun, That is the badge for Excellent Navigator of the Soviet Navy. There are other similar ones, the central device changing to show each specialty. Marc

Frank, I believe that Vienna was obliterated from this earth in this June 1965 "Plan of the 'Easterners' First Massive Nuclear Strike". According to the plan, the "Easterners" use 30 nuclear weapons in the first strike, with a total payload of 7,450 kilotons. Five cities (Vienna, Munich, Oberammergau, Verona, and Vicenza) and five airfields and nuclear ammunition depots are assumed to be completely destroyed. Marc

Rick, Sea tragedies have hit most seafaring nations, and mysteries abound. I think that families from sailors serving on the Bismark for instance were once in this very same position. Marc

Rick, The boards are M45 without question, now, they could have been (and most likely were) produced in the 1950's. The question remains about the stars, which are of a type and style that I have never encountered before on Soviet uniforms. Marc

Rick, I held these stars in my hand. They are not as you perceive them to be. First, the screwdisks are aluminum. Second, these stars are extremely thick, much thicker than regular Soviet stars of that period. Third, they are made of very thin white metal plate. All in all, the boards are most likely regular Soviet issue, but the stars are something I (or Sebastien) have never encountered before. Marc

Christophe, Hum, you meant Christian's, obviously Marc

Wild Card, Manolete, the torero??? Marc