Christophe

Order of Tower and Sword. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Absolutely. Ch.

Military Order of St. Benedict of Aviz. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Vice-Admiral Viscount de Soares Franco (1810-1885). Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Another view. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Awards belonging to the Portuguese Vice-Amiral Viscount de Soares Franco (1810-1885). Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Back inside the Maritime Museum. A model of one famous caravel. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Entrance of the fort, now entrance of the Museum of Overseas Troops (closed when I was there). Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Close to the Tower is an old fort, with a Museum dedicated to Portuguese Overseas Troops. Here is the monument in memory of the Overseas Fighters. The names of them are on the wall in the background. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Close-up. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Another view. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

To give an idea of the area and location, here is the Belem Tower (Torre de Belem). This tower is emblematic of the Discoveries, and a worldwide known monument. In 1515, when it was built, it stood in the middle of the water. It was both a lighthouse and a surveillance tower. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

The adjacent Monaster dos Jeronimos, inspired by the Great Discoveries and Explorations, begun in 1501. It has been built to celebrate the "Triumph of Navigation". Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Another inside view. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Inside the Museum. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

The chapel, now entrance of the Maritime Museum of Belem : Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

As requested by some members, here is the first thread dedicated to my summer trip in Spain and Portugal. I will begin with pics of Portugal military related sites. One "must see" site is the Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) in Belem. Belem, very close to Portugal's capital Lisboa (Lisbon) has a particular place in Portugal's history. Belem is the place from where, on 8 July 1497, Vasco de Gama, the great explorer, has begun his trip that made him discover the Indies Route (La Route des Indes). Before they leave, the night before, Vasco de Gama and his troops have been in deep meditation in a chapel built by Henri the Navigator. This chapel is now the basis of the Maritime Museum, which gives a tribute to explorers of the Portugal. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Bryan, Excellent pics!!! Please post more Cheers. Ch.

And Mongolia (the 4th one)... Ch.

This last medal posted by Darrell is the medal "M?rite UNC", awarded to members of the UNC deserving recognition of their action. It is not only a Membership medal as are the other posted earlier. There are 4 levels : bronze, silver, vermeil and gold. The one posted looks like bronze... Ch.

Good round, Ed and Bryan!!! Many thanks for the other good pics posted here and there on the Forum. About Ed's question, my first uncomplete comments : It is for sure a plaque honouring the Order of Victory holders, with those who were given the award twice (Vasilevsky, Zhukov and Stalin) on the left, on the right the Soviet Army Marshals and the General given the award once, and below the foreign recipients. Brezhnev is not present. I suspect the plaque has been made for the 50th anniversary of the GPW (1995). But, that's all I can say by now. I don't know where the plaque is located abnd why it has been made (except for the 50th anniversary..). Let's the others find the "real" and expected answers... Ch.

That's my guess... but only a guess... Ch.

Interesting. This medal is for the Journ?e du Poilu 1915, but mentions events of 1916... I have to investigate about these medals I don't know... Ch.

The caption says : For Daddy to come back home on leave". Ch.

This said, it was probably a support day for the Poilus on Christmas time. Ch.