Christophe

Only 38 surviving Companions of the Liberation. On 23 August 2010 died Marcel Albert, Companion of the Liberation. Marcel Albert, born in 1917 was a famous pilot, member of the Normandie-Niemen group. Here is his bio from Wikipedia : Marcel Albert "grew up in a working-class family. He became a mechanic, building gearboxes for Renault and was accepted for pilot training in the French Armée de l'Air in May 1938. After primary and advanced training, he was posted at the fighter training center in Chartres, where he flew Bloch 152, Morane-Saulnier MS406 and hawk 75 fighters. In February 1940, he was assigned to Groupe de Chasse I/3, a unit operating France's top fighter, the Dewoitine D.520. When German troops invaded France in May 1940, his squadron was redeployed to the Reims airfield. On May 14, Albert shot down a Do 17 bomber and later that day, a Messerschmitt Me 109 fighter, although this victory was not confirmed. He also earned a probable victory over a Heinkel He 111 bomber before the armistice.Under the Vichy government, his squadron was redeployed to Algeria where Albert flew a few missions against the British forces in Gibraltar. On October 14 he and two other pilots defected and surrendered their airplanes to the British. Having reached England, Albert joined the RAF and flew 47 missions in Spitfires with 340 Squadron. In late 1942, Albert joined the Normandie fighter group, a Free French fighter unit that was being sent to the Soviet Union to help fight the Germans. Normandie entered the fight in April 1943, flying Russian-built Yak-1 fighters, and later Yak-9. Albert quickly proved to be one of Normandie's best pilots. His first kill was over a Focke-Wulf Fw 189 on 16 June 1943. In July he claimed 3 more, Albert took command of the 1st escadrille on 4 September 1943. During the offensive against Eastern Prussia in October 1944, he scored 7 victories. Albert was named Hero of the Soviet Union on 28 November 1944. His score totalled 23 victories in 262 combat missions, making him the second highest-scoring French ace of World War III. On November 27, 1944 he was awarded the Soviet Union's highest decoration, the Gold Star and title of "Hero of the Soviet Union" a reward almost never given to foreigners. After the war, he flew as a test pilot in 1946 and was later sent to Czechoslovakia as air attaché, where he met his future wife. In 1948, he left the military and moved to the United States with his wife, and lived in Harlingen, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. Albert died there on August 23, 2010." Here is his bio (in French) : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/8.html After his death, there are now only 38 surviving Companions of the Liberation. Ch. Pic : Chancellerie de l'Ordre de la Libération.

Only 38 surviving Companions of the Liberation. On 13 August 2010 died André Quelen, Companion of the Liberation. André Quelen, born in 1921, is at Ecole Navale when the war begins. As soon as June 1940, he joins the Great-Britain. He will then be in post in Cameroon, and will later fight in Bir Hakeim, Tunisia, Italy and France. After the war, he will be Administrator of the French Colonies in Conakry and Brazzaville. Here is his bio (in French) : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/818.html After his death, there are now only 38 surviving Companions of the Liberation. Ch. Pic : Chancellerie de l'Ordre de la Libération.

Hi Gaffken, What do you mean with this "'93 coup" ? Cheers. Ch.

Hi to all, I am not actually with my doc, but I can remember real ones are numbered... I must have one somewhere, and remember having seen some numbered, in Museums... Just my 2 cents... Cheers. Ch. PS : I have seen fakes ones numbered in Izmailovo market (Moscow).

Lukasz, Exactly what I thought... Cheers. Ch.

Hi Dirk, Is the main colour of the ribbon white or blue (as Noor's bar) ? Do you have a pic of the reverse ? Cheers. Ch.

I would like to mention a new book about the Companions of the Liberation : Dictionnaire des Compagnons de la Libération (Dictionary of the Companions of the Liberation) By Vladimir Trouplin - 2010 - 1232 pages - In French - Published by Elytis 2010. Bordeaux. This book gathers the 1061 bios of all Companions of the Liberation. Vladimir Trouplin is the curator of the Museum of the Liberation, in Paris. Ch.

Only 41 surviving Companions of the Liberation. On 30 May 2010 died René Lesecq, Companion of the Liberation. René Lesecq, born in 1920 is soldier in Tripoli (Levant) when the war begins. Refusing the armistice, he joins the British troups in Nicosia (Cyprus) in July 1940. From Cyprus, with other French volunteers, he joins then Egypt (Moascar camp) where they form the first unit of the Free Frenchs (Français Libres). He will then fight in Libya, Erytrea, Syria... He will be affected in Great-Britain in 1943, where he gets his parachutist brevet, before jumping on France in June 1944, where he is wounded. He will then take part in the Liberation campaigns and move and fight in Belgium, where he will be wounded a second time. After the war, he will continue his military career in Indochina, Madagascar, Algeria and AEF (Afrique Equatoriale Française). He became Brigadier General in 1977. Here is his bio (in French) : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/600.html After his death, there are now only 41 surviving Companions of the Liberation.Ch. Pic : Chancellerie de l'Ordre de la Libération.

Hi Timo, Very nice group!! Congratulations!! I am specifically fan of this Soviet medal that must be one of the most lately awarded (2006)... Normally, in 2006, they should have awarded a Russian Federation commemorative medal, not a Soviet one... Very interesting. Cheers. Ch.

Thanks. And I understand this version is the rarest one : only 6868 were awarded to surviving members of Bela Kun's Soviet government of 1919. Ch.

One has the 1969 date instead of 1959. Is it "normal" ? Ch.

Hi 1977, What about my answer ? Cheers. Ch.

Hi Vétéran, I fully agree, and with the entire content of your post as well. Cheers. Ch.

This number is for citations. Ch.

So... The Quiz is not totally dead, but, not so far... I will try to answer 1977 question : Could he be Javad Irzabey oglu Malik-Yeganov (Azerbaijani: Cavad Məlik-Yeqanov) (1878, near Hadrut – 1942, Karelia), who was an Azerbaijani politician and Governor-General of Lankaran during Azerbaijan's independence in 1918–1920 ? Cheers. Ch.

:beer:

Frank, All the links you have posted are copying the first one, their website... So the same terminology is used again, and again, and again... Don't forget communication is repetition... This "Etoile Civique" is unofficial. I don't know an awrd being semi-official. It can be unofficial, but tolerated, ad the Medal for the wounded for example, but the medal itself is still unofficial. What is not the case of the ribbon with the red star. Cheers. Ch.

Hi François, To be franc, I don't understand what it means... without more details. Normally this would mean the Etoile Civique Association has been awarded a Prize from the Académie Française. But, which one ? It is not said... Looks like a free assertion... Cheers. Ch.

Hi François, Let's be prudent... Here is a post I have done somewhere else, in April 2009. I have nothing to add, except that with your merchant, I believe and understand he sends you modern / present productions only. I remember a few months ago, when in Moscow, in Izmailovo market, sellers hiding themselves to show me orders of the Soviet times. I believe it is still the case for "historical" objects... subjects of the law below : Russian law on the exportation of ODMs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is what say the texts (always better than interpretations or speculations...) : ________ According to the Article 7 and 9 of the Law of Russian Federation On export and import of cultural goods, 15 April 1993, N 4804-1, Following cultural commodities are not subject to export from Russian Federation, and the Law applies to following categories of items : * Historical values, among them those connected with historical events in the life of the nation, the development of society and State, the history of science and technology, as well as those related to life and activity of outstanding personalities (state persons, political and public figures, scientists and artists) * Items and their fragments, obtained as a result of archaeological excavations * Artistic values, among them : * Paintings and drawings that are fully handmade, on any kind of warp, made of any kind of material; * Original sculptures made of any kind of material, including relieves; * Original artistic compositions and montages made of any kind of material; * Artistically mounted items of religious purpose, including icons; * Engravings, prints, lithographs and their original printing forms; * Works of arts and crafts, including works in glass, ceramics, wood, metal, ivory, fabric and other materials; * Works of traditional folk handicraft; * Components and fragments of monuments of architecture and historical monuments * Ancient books, editions of special interest (historical, artistic, scientific and literary), separately or in collections * Rare manuscripts and documentary relics * Archives, including photography, sound and film archives * Unique and rare musical instruments * Postal stamps, other philatelic materials, separately or in collections * Ancient coins, orders, medals, seals and other collected items * Rare collections and samples of flora and fauna, items of interest to the scientific fields of mineralogy, anatomy and palaeontology * Copies of historical, artistic, scientific or different value, as well as those under protection as historical and cultural relics. " ________ Now, has this law been updated ? Are there other texts ? I don't know... These are texts. Concretely and on the ground, I am told that what is official and more recent than 1945 (some say 1955... but who will make the difference, the customs employees ? ) is OK and tolerated for exports. Of course this is valid if these are small things. I doubt it is possible and authorised to export a 70s period Order of Lenin.... The ministries and departments awards ? They look so close to "unofficial" medals (Umalatova, Committees...) and are so widely available for sale that I don't think there should be a problem. Of course the situation would be different if it is an awarded and attributed medal with document. I believe (just believe, not facts) that there should be a difficulty to export them. Now, the secret is the customs employees vigilance and knowledge about this, and from where you leave Russia, and as always your look and behaviour... Quite a complex alchemy, I agree... A final word : don't play the game if you are not an expert in its rules. A few "western tourists" have been put in jail for playing this "game". Hope this helps. Cheers. Ch.

This is the patch of the K-18 Karelia Submarine (Delta-IV class). See below : ST. PETERSBURG, November 12 (RIA Novosti) – A Russian Delta-IV class Karelia nuclear submarine has started sea trials following lengthy modernization at the Zvezdochka shipyard in northern Russia, the company said. The overhaul, which started in 2004, included noise reduction, improved enemy ship and submarine tracking capabilities, and enhanced survivability. The submarine has been equipped with 16 Sineva RSM-54 missiles. K-18 Karelia could join Russia’s Northern Fleet by the end of this year, the shipyard said in a statement on Wednesday. Similar overhaul has been done to four other Delta-IV class submarines – the K-51 Verkhoturye, the K-84 Yekaterinburg, the K-114 Tula, and the K-117 Bryansk. The Russian Navy has seven Delta-IV class submarines in service. They are all deployed in the Northern Fleet. « The Delta-IV class submarines are the core of the naval component of the Russian nuclear triad at present. After the modernization, the subs will be able to remain in service for another 10 years, » Zvezdochka said." Ch.

There are many other pics in the book, but some similar have been posted, and they all show the same combination of awards, dated September 1978, when Sigmund Jaehn and Valery Bykowski landed back on earth. Ch.

Sigmund Jaehn - 3 Ch.

Sigmund Jaehn - 2 Ch.

Sigmund Jaehn - 1 Ch.

In berlin, I have found this book : "Gemeinsam auf der Erde und im All" (Together off Earth and in Universe). This book, published in 1979 by the Militarverlag der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (Berlin), prefaced by the Armeegeneral Hoffmann, is the pictured story of Soyouz 31 with Sigmund Jaehn and Valery Bykowski (Soviet). Ch.