bmsm

This is a 2009, Ministry of Interior, Internal Affairs arm and chest patch. The arm patch is 4.625 in. high, 3.75 in wide and is machine made. The chest patch is 4.625 in. long and 1.125 in. wide.

Chest patch and arc translation: Ministry of Interior

Above: Verse from the Holy Qur'an (we brought you the truth)

Middle: Internal Affairs

Below: the courage - the probity - the loyalty

Bob

This is a 2009, Ministry of Interior, National Investigations and Informations Agency arm patch. It is 3.375 in. wide, 3.81 in. high, machine made with a velcro back.

Middle: Ministry of Interior

Below: National Investigations and Informations Agency

Bob

Hi - Bob - so glad we have a name - I kept thinking it stood for some of those weird initials they us in the US ?? I personally thought they were interesting and it would be good to have more on the Iraqi Police in general - after all they feature in the paper nearly every day.

What period are these from - the three stars - weren't they from the time when Egypt and Syria made a pact ?

Mervyn,

I thought I'd take some time and interject a comment in this thread. When new people start collecting Iraqi patches they will be wondering what the heck is going on.

From 1963-1991 the Iraqi Flag had three stars in a white field. The three stars represented Iraq, Egypt and Syria (United Arab Republic) which Saddam wanted to form. The Flag Law Number 33 of 1986 changed the meaning of the three stars to the Ba'ath Party Motto (Unity-Freedom-Socialism).

From 1991-2004 the iraqi Flag had three stars and God is Great in Saddam's handwriting in a white field.

From 2004-2008 the Iraqi Flag had three stars and God is Great in Kufic Script in a white field.

2008 to present no stars and God is Great in Kufic Script in a white field.

After the fall of Saddam, many of the Unit Commanders thought the new flag would have the three stars since Saddam had the God is Great added to the flag so they had shoulder patches made up with three stars on them. New people just starting to collect patches will wonder which era do the patches belong in. Post number 26 and 49 are two examples of three stars and used after 2003.

Bob

Tim,

Nice collection of notes . Also, like you said, it would be nice to be able to ask our Dads questions on certain things but they are gone. I read somewhere that 1200-1300 WWII vets are dying off every day and that number may be higher now.

Afew years ago one of the High Schools or the College from Mankato, MN. interviewed some of the surviving WW II vets from this area to have their experiences on a permanent record for future generations.

Bob

And the more common Japanese 1942 "Paper Money issue 50 Sen note. This one is marked for Showa yr. 17

I have a couple of these and need to check the year of issue I guess.

That's it for tonight. I have a lot of old Chinese paper from the war if interested? Enjoy!

Tim

Tim,

Was the Japanese Soldier paid in this form of money or did they have their own Military Script? Yes, I'd like to see your Chinese paper money. One of my old coffee drinking buddies who flew 35 missions over Japan in WWII said they used to check out their survival vests and inside one of the pockets they had Chinese money. They had to turn in their vests after every mission and everything was accounted for. Have you ever heard of this?

Bob

You say a set, but what do the differences signify? Are they different ranks, functions, names?

All are from the same unit, all different names and various ranks.

Bob

This is a EOD, Al Basrah Anti Explosions General Directorate arm patch. The patch is 5 in. wide, 5.5 in. tall and is machine made. It was used in 2009.

Arc: General Directorate of Anti Explosions

Below: Al Basrah Anti Explosions Directorate.

Bob

This is a Al Warka' Bank Security Guard arm patch, 4.25 in. wide, 5 in. high. and used in 2009. This is a machine made patch.

Above: Al Warka' Bank for investing and finance - S (shared) L (limited) c (company).

Middle: 1999 - 1420AH

Bob

This is a set of eight Republican Guard Nabooketh - Nusser Forces (Nebuchadnezzar) Military Police Identification Badges used from 1980-2003.

They are made of brass, 2.5 in. wide, 1.56in. high and have a safety pin on the reverse.

The second picture is a close up of one of the badges.

Bob

Hi - Bob. Would this have been issued by the United States or, the Phillipines ? Do these items have much value ? Mervyn

Mervyn,

The Phillipines didn't win it's sovereignty from the United States until July 4, 1946 so I believe the stamps would have been issued by the U.S. I don't believe there is much value (may be $10-$20.00) but I had it lying around and thought it might be of interest to some of the members.

Maybe a stamp collector could give us a better idea of the value.

Bob

Mervyn,

A very nice collection.

Bob

This is a First Day Cover for the Unconditional Surrender of Japan (V-J Day) on Sept.2,1945 and mailed from Manila, Philippines.

Bob

These are steel flechettes from a 2.75 in. Rocket (Vietnam Era). They are 1.06 in. long and have four fins on the reverse to help keep them level in flight. The rocket warhead held from 1180-2500 depending on which one was used. The 105mm. artillery also has flechette rounds which they called "beehive rounds" because of the sound they made after the round detonated in the air and the flechettes were flying thru the air. The 105 artillery round held 8000 flechettes in each round. The army used them for direct fire on the enemy trying to overrun the base. The flechette bent into a hook and the fin often broke off creating additional wounds.

Bob

Yep, had a bunch at one time (probably still laying around here somewhere). We used to call them "John Waynes" although I haven't a clue why. Every sailor carried one on his keyring. Thanks for posting- brings back memories.

Apparently John Wayne did a training film back in WW II and used a P-38 in the film and after that they were also called "John Waynes". I did a Google search and got this info.

Bob

Things we use today are history tomorrow. I used to be on augmetee duty with the Security Police in Vietnam 1969-1970 and we got c rations for our meal at night. If we were lucky and got to ride around in a jeep or a V-100, we would poke a hole in the top of the can and sit it on top of the motor by the manifold and drive around for a few minutes and then have a hot meal. Always make sure to poke a hole in the can first otherwise you had a mess to clean up under the hood.

Bob

This is my trusty P-38 can opener. Many of you younger folks probably never got to use this handy little item. The one I carry around on my key chain was made by Mallin. The two can openers still in the original wrappers are made by Mallin Hdwe. and J.W. Speaker Corp.

Bob

This is a cloth portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, obverse and reverse which I had stored away for some years so it has fold marks on it. It is 15.25 in. high, 12.125 in. wide and has a hemmed edge.

Bob

A close up of the obverse and reverse of the medal and a picture showing the stand on the reverse of the box.

bob

I also have another medal with the date of 1989.6 on the obverse. Does anyone know if ther was a seperate Tinanmen Square Medal for officers and enlisted men?

This medal is 2.875 in. long, 1.68 in. wide and is housed in a red cloth lined indented box with a clear plastic lid. The back of the box has a built in stand to support the box for viewing.

Bob

A close up of the obverse of the medal and hanger inside the box.

A picture of the reverse of the ribbon bar and the white plastic catch to the box.

Bob

The outside cover and inside lid.

Bob

A close up of the obverse and reverse of the medal.

Bob

This is a medal for the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989. It has also been called the Tiananmen Square Massacre and in China it is known as the June Fourth Incident. This medal was issued to the People's Liberation Army participants for service during the Tiananmen Square Revolt of 1989.

The medal is 2.56 in. high and 1.625 in. wide at it's widest point The medal ribbon bar is 1.75 in. long and .50 in. wide and has a small pin on the reverse.

The presentation box the medal comes in has a red material covering with flower designs over all the box and there is writing on the lid of the box. On the inside, the cover has white material with a red ribbon in the lower left corner and the bottom where the medal and ribbon rests is a burgandy color and an indentation for the ribbon and medal to sit into. The catch is a white plastic wedge which fits into a loop. The box is 4.56 in long, 2.5 in wide and .56 in. thick.

Bob

Here is that same bridge and building from a different angle:

When was this photo taken? It looks like lights or something was added to the top of bridge support columns.

In post# 2, what kind of vehicle is the Guard in the lower right corner riding? It looks like it is controlled by using both hands on levers and it has four wheels. It makes me think of a zero turn radius lawn mower without the blade.

Bob

Thanks to all who replied to the posts to help identify them.

Bob