bmsm

This is a cloth road map prepared by the U.S. Army Map Service, Far East in1961. It is 29-3/4 in. wide and 37-1/8 in. high. It is made of nylon or rayon as it is stiffer than the silk maps made in WW II and is a one sided map.

Bob

These medals commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi Army in bronze, silver and gilt . They are marked on the reverse HUGUENIN SWISS MADE. All three classes use the same ribbon. A very well made medal typical of Swiss manufacturing.

Ed Haynes has more information on these medals in the Middle East & Arab States topic.

Bob

This is a two sided silk chart used by the Army Air Force in WWII. This chart has Japan and South China Seas on one side and East China Sea on the other side. It is 32 in. wide and 30 in. high. It was printed in march, 1945 and was prepared at the direction of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, for the Aeronautical Chart Service by the Lake Survey Branch, Army Map Service, Detroit, michigan.

These maps show land mases, winds and currents. Aircrew members were issued these maps in their survival gear when flying over these areas. The reason cloth maps were used is because they were easy to fold up and the ink wouldn't run if gotten wet.

The left map is Japan and South China Seas. The right map is East China Sea.

Bob

The stamps.

Here is Book Four with ration stamps for coffee, sugar and what I think is bread (wheat kernel) and more unknowns.

Bob

The ration stamps inside.

I came across two War Ration Books and thought I'd share them with fellow members. I'm not even sure what the book no. 3 is for as it has all different kinds of military vehicles on the stamps. Does anyone know what they are for?

Bob

Me to, $$$ Bob are these pictures you took??

Lorenzo

Yes, that was where I worked for six months.

Bob

Here are a couple of pictures of the ammo storage area "bomb dump" at Phu Cat Air Base Republic of Vietnam,1969. In the top picture, the napalm bombs are shipped in crates and have to be uncrated and in the bottom picture are the bombs sitting on wood. supports Wish I had all the money our government spent just in these two pictures.

Bob

Nice shot!!!!!

Here I have another one. It´s a german rail-canon, 280mm, L40. The was taken in the german island Wangerooge or in the Dardanelles. The only two places, where this gun was used

Do you have any pictures of "Anzio Annie"? I don't know what size it was but I have talked to some WWII vets and they said it sounded like a freight train going by. At least if you heard it, it was already past you. I did a Google search and there are some pictures there but was wondering if you had any actual pictures in your collecton. Thanks for your postings of the different artillery pieces.

Bob

These two pictures are cluster bomb unit containers. T he one on the top is made to split apart and scatter the bomblets while the bottom cbu container scatters the bomblets (if I remember correctly) from the bottom.

Bob

The top picture is 750 pound bombs as they are shipped in to the ammo dump.

Below is 750 pound bombs. The bombs on the left are already finned to be hauled to the flight line.

Bob

Top-2.75 in. rockets with white phosphorous warhead being torqued onto the motor.

Below-Launchers, Lau-59 which are loaded on the airplanes or helicopters. These have high explosive warheads.

Phu Cat Air Base Republic of Vietnam- June 1969.

Bob

This is not nearly as big as anything Andy has posted with the artillery but here is me holding a 2.75 in. rocket with a high explosive warhead. Picture was taken at Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vetnam, March, 1970. We used to receive the rocket motors and warheads seperately and had to torque the warhead to the rocket motor and store them in the rack behind me until we got a "frag order" and then loaded them in the launchers.

Bob

A very interesting and informative topic. This is one of the reasons I quit collecting Third reich items. Keep up the good work!!!

Bob

This is a 155 mm. towed howitzer. Annual Training, Gagetown, Canada August 1980. It still makes a nice "boom".

Bob

Thanks for photosharing.

I think its mere a medal for some celebration may be related to Navy, But the issue do u have any documentary which points out to the issue of this medal ?? !!!!!!!!!!1

No, I don't have any documentation for this award. It is the information that was supplied to me by my contact in Iraq who has collected Iraqi Militaria for many years. Informaton on any medals, orders, etc. is very hard to obtain. Even newer made medals information is on a "need to know" basis and during Saddam's rule, it wasn't a good idea to be asking too many questions. I'll see if I can get any more information on this medal.

Thanks for your comments as many of us are still learning as we collect Iraqi Militaria.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thank you for the detailed posting.

Are there any indications as to what the award criteria were?

I wonder how many were awarded?

Regards,

Will

Will,

Information on Iraqi Medals, Orders, etc. is almost impossible to find,. The only information I have is from my source in Iraq who has been dealing in Iraqi Militaria for many years. Even now it is hard to find out information on new awards if you "don't have a need to know" and many of the makers of awards are very reluctant to give out information with the way the situation is in Iraq.

So to answer your question, it is unknown if it went by grades and (or) athletic ability and what other criteria was involved. It is also unknown how many were awarded during that time.

I wish I had more answers but this is all I have and wanted to share what I had available.

Bob

Cover of the Presentation box the Star is awarded in.

Bob

Reverse of the Star showing the backing plate and pin and catch.

Bob

A close up of the center discs. On the top is the Italian and on the bottom is the Iraqi made disc.

Bob

The Star was awarded between 1976-2003 to the distinguished students in Al Bakir University for Military Higher Studies.

There are two types of the Al Bakir Stars.

Italian made (higher quality), used from 1976-1991 and Iraqi made (used after 1991). The reverse may be found with or with out a backing plate behind the center disc. The Stars are identical except for the center disc. After 1991 the Iraqi's used the Italian made star and attached there own center disc. The Italian center disc is very well made and the Iraqi center disc is glazed and not as well made. Both Stars are 3 inches in diameter.

The items represented in the center disc are a sword (Ground Forces), anchor (Navy) and wing (Air Force). The book represents knowledge, the writing feather represents science and the torch represents the power of knowledge and the science. Inside the book is a verse from the Holy Qur'an (God give me more knowledge) and below the book Al Bakir University 1976 A.D., 1396 A.H.The cover of the award box is 6-3/8 in. wide, 6-1/2 in. high and lined with white satin on the inside.

All Iraqi Army, Navy and Air Force Officers were allowed to attend this University regardless of their rank.

The Star on the top is Italian and the Star on the bottom is Iraqi.

Bob

A set of Shoulder Arm Patches with water proof plastic for them rainny days:

Lorenzo,

What are these patches for?

Bob

This is a very large Flag Pennant for the al Bakr Era Military Academy, I bought this from a dealer in Baghdad, Iraq

Lorenzo

Do you know which Military Academy this flag is for?

Bob

Here are a couple of Kingdom garrison caps. Scott.

Scott,

The deep green piping is for the Military Court and the red is for higher officers. The cap with the red piping is used with the higher officers badge on the front. If there is no manufacturing tags inside, they were made in Iraq.

Bob