RedMaestro

Thanks Bison!

I have just recieved an email from a researcher (not Nota Bene though) saying that a pile of research will be arriving tomorrow I don't know whether my order is included or not, but just the fact that somebody will be getting results is a cause for celebration! -Alex

When I last contacted Alexei he said that there weren't any problems with the archives moving. The other researcher I used for some undocumented awards said nothing about that either. I am still waiting for both research requests I sent. I only ordered from Alexei two weeks ago, so that still needs some time. For the other, however, nothing since December. I emailed three days ago asking for a situation update, but no response yet. Patience ...and prayer might help too -Alex

Thanks for your help Eddie! It turns out one of the few working links on the website is exactly what I needed, and I might order one of the books too. Thanks again! -Alex

Hi All, Does anyone know of a good website on the uniforms, insignia, and other such items worn or used by the French in Indochina (specifically Dien Bien Phu)? Thanks! -Alex

Hi Eduardo! Thanks for your help and for the picture! Just out of curiosity, what is your main area of collecting? I agree with you that it seems difficult to collect Peruvian medals. I had a hard time finding this one. There is a seller on ebay based in Lima that has them from time to time. They are very nice though! Do you know if any sort of documentation was issued with them? Stogieman, it was an extremely interesting vacation. The scenery was spectacular and quite unrivaled in all my travels. Culturally, it was far different from anything I had ever experienced before; it was my first time in South America. I had a chance to apply my limited knowledge of Spanish, which proved enough to get by without too much difficulty. I found the blend of traditions intriguing, and also the fact that many people prefer to stick to traditional native methods. The people I talked to still farmed the land the same way the Incas had, not because they were unable to use more modern techniques, but because they liked that way more. Overall, it was a great trip and I would certainly recommend it! -Alex

Nice job Christophe! Your answers to #'s 1, 2, and 4 are all correct! As for #3, that wasn't quite what I had in mind, but is still correct. In fact, I actually didn't know he was awarded the stalin prize, so I learned something new here! According to what I found, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature, but soviet authorities forced him to refuse. Maybe the stalin prize was to make up for that? So once again, congrats! The next question is yours! -Alex

Yay! Victory #1! I was born on October 9th, 1904. I was a master of my profession, earning the Shevchenko Prize for my work. I almost received an even higher award, but I was forced to decline candidature for political reasons. I was a member of Academy of Sciences in my native country, and also served in a number of political positions there, including deputy chairman of the council of ministers, the central committee, and supreme soviet. Additionally, I edited a number of different magazines, and was the head of the editing board of my country's encyclopedia. 1. Who am I? 2. What was my native country? 3. What prize did I almost win? 4. What soviet order did I help create? I hope this isn't too hard or vague (or easy ). Good luck -Alex

Neither of the two researchers I am currently using knew anything about the archives closing when I asked them. In fact, Nota Bene told me to expect results in less than a month, though I am sure he says the same to everybody.

Eureka ! I think I've got it (and if I do, what a great 100th post it will be)! The HMS L55 was a British submarine which was sunk off the cost of Tallinn after engaging soviet ships. It is unclear whether the sub was sunk by a mine or hostile fire (in which case, it would be the only British vessel ever sunk by a soviet ship). The remains of the crew members were returned to the HMS Champion by the merchant ship Truro. In 1928, the soviets raised the ship and repaired it. It entered service in the Red Navy as the Bezbozhnik (Atheist), and was used as a training ship until it was damaged. The sub also served as a model for the soviet L class submarine. It was scrapped in the 50's. The ship's original captain was Lieutenant C.M.S. Chapman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_L55 http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/ch...dral/baltic.htm -Alex

Thanks Pete!

Thanks Danny! I took a closer look at the medal, and now I agree that it is a fake. It feels significantly lighter than the other that I have. Also, like you said, it lacks detail, and it is not a perfect circle. Oh well That still doesn't explain the button though. Even if it is a fake as well, I would still like to know what it was supposed to represent. Was it only included on some variations of the medal, or is it something just "made up?" Thanks! -Alex

Hi All! Anyone know what the button-like thing on this eastern front medal is? I've never seen one before. Thanks! -Alex

What do you think of this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...4.cWAT.m240.lVI Thanks! -Alex

Thanks Christophe! I'm taking another guess, again a submarine. Is it the Amerikansky Golland (American Holland) class sub (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Holland_class_submarines)? These were buit before the 1930's, but were still in service during WWII. -Alex

Let me just make a guess here. I have a feeling this ship was a submarine. Might it have been the S class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_S_class_submarine), initially a collaborative project between the Germans and Soviets that eventually resulted two different submarines that often faced each other in battle?

Thanks for editing the pictures Kev! It's interesting to see another variation of the medal. Dave, in your piece, Colonel Bolognesi seems to have a much fiercer expression. I wonder why that was changed. Does anyone know anything else about these? How many were awarded? What are they worth? I have only found one for sale so far on the internet, priced at ?48. I got mine for about half of that . Chris, it took me FOREVER to find that medal. I looked in every antique store in Cuzco and Arequipa. I finally got lucky and bought this one 2 days before I left. Sorry you didn't have any luck when you were there. -Alex

I found this cased Cross Of Military Merit on my recent vacation to Peru. Also posted at: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26738

The mintmark and case. Strangely, the Peruvian seal is on the bottom of the case.

I bought this medal on my recent vacation in Peru (just came home today). Below is the only information I could find on it. "Large bronze cross patt?e with rays between the arms on circular laurel wreath suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the portrait in relief of Coronel Francisco Bolognesi encircled by a white enamel ring inscribed 'CRUZ PERUANA AL MERITO MILITAR'; the reverse of similar design but with the white enamel circle inscribed with his name; on original ribbon mounted with pin for wear. The cross was created in February 1949 and is awarded to military for outstanding service in the defence of the country. Coronel Francisco Bolognesi Cervantes (1816-1880) had a long, distinguished military career, retiring in 1871 as Commander-in-Chief of the Artillery. When war broke out in 1878 between Peru and Bolivia on the one hand and Chile on the other, Bolognesi returned to active service and in April 1880 was charged with the defence of the town of Arica. In May Arica was surrounded by Chilean forces who outnumbered the defenders 3 to 1. When the Chileans demanded his surrender, he replied with words that have entered the Spanish language ? "Tengo deberes sagrados que cumplir y los cumplire hasta quemar el ultimo cartucho" (I have a sacred duty to accomplish, and I will fulfil it until I burn the last cartridge"). On 7 June the Chileans captured Arica; Colonel Bolognesi lost his life that day but became a national hero." The shot on the left is of the front, and the one on the right is the back of the medal. Sorry the pictures aren't great (kind of dark). If anyone would like better ones, please let me know. -Alex

The second new Polish group. See http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26147 for the documents.

A new Polish group. See http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26146 for the document

And my final Polish group. I've had this one for a while, but never got around to posting it.

And the documents. I think the Medal for Safeguarding Public Order is a ministry decoration as opposed to official government one.

The second new Polish group.