Christophe

Hi Christian, No pb. Interesting to notice that General Trubnikov has got 4 red banners, the 4th one being a 'normal" one, without the "4". But, let's go back to this HSU who fought, surrendered... to potatoes... Ch;

This is comrade Trubnikov; Shishkov being the author of the book... Ch.

The 3 last "Poilus" : - Louis de Cazenave (16-10-1897). - Lazare Ponticelli (07-12-1897). - Jean Grelaud (26-10-1898). Ch.

Ren? Riffaud. (see also post #18). Ch. Pic : AFP.

Only 3 "Poilus" still alive ! Ren? Riffaud, one of France's last World War I veterans, has died on 16 January, at age 108. He had been lately (March 2006) recognised as a veteran of the WWI. He was born on 12 december 1898, in Tunisia, mobilized in April 1917, and joined a colonial artillery unit in Summer 1918. He fought in the Ardennes, where he was wound by gaz. After the war, he worked as an electrician, and opened his own electrical repairs company. Ch. Pic : Benoit Tessier / AP

I have no clue, but will be interested in knowing the story. What think the others ? Ch.

Colonel General Trubnikov. He is wearing St george's Cross Class I to IV. But, of course, this is a studio photo, which does not mean they weer allowed to wear them. Ch. Pic : Awards of Russia 1698-1917 - Sergey Shishkov - vol 2 , page 201.

Hi Christian, In Awards of Russia 1698-1917, by Sergey Shishkov, vol 2 , page 201, there is a pic dated 1946 of Colonel general Trubnikov , Deputy Commander in Chief of the Northern Army Group, wearing St George's Cross Class I to IV. Zhukov got the Class III and IV of the St George's Cross. Malinovsky and Rokossovski got the Class IV. Budenny of course got the Class I to IV.... Cheers. Ch.

Christian, I agree Die Befreiung is nicely made. About the Fall of Berlin (1949), there existed a french version in the beginning of the 80's, on VHS at that time... I have never see it again in DVD. Cheers. Ch.

No, not necessarily. Let's see what the others will say... Ch.

A famous moustache... Ch.

Christian, Thanks. Very interesting. Of Maria Yudina, in my discotheque, I have only The Diabelli variations (Beethoven). I will definitely look for the Piano Concerto n?23 of Mozart. Thanks again . Cheers. Ch.

Christian, Good question!!! Do you knwo where this piano is nowadays? Ch.

The 1st edition was already great!!! I have already ordered the 2nd one!! Ch.

Hi Simon, No pb. Interesting discusion here. Cheers. Ch.

Excellent!!! (Is it in French or English?). Ch.

He, he.. Do we permanently switch to French ? Ch.

Hi Rick, I was quite sure to see you "appear" there!!! Encore, bravo pour la qualit? du fran?ais !! F?licitations. Ch.

Doc, Ed and Rick live in another dimesnion than ours... Ch.

Wouldn't be able to answer, but fully share the meaning... Cheers. Ch.

Michel, "Compensate" is fully acceptable. You also could have used "balance"... What do you think, you english native speakers ? Ch.

Michel, Bienvenue sur ce Forum. Le langage ne doit pas ?tre un pb car ce qui nous anime tous ici, c'est la passion commune des ordres et d?corations, de l'histoire, etc... Nous autres, qui ne sommes pas langue maternelle anglo-saxonne, devons certes ici parler un langage qui ne nous est pas familier, mais cela n'a pas d'importance ? partir du moment o? nous parvenons ? faire passer notre message. Le Forum est une association de membres qui manifestent tous beaucoup d'indulgence les uns envers les autres... de vrais gentilhommes . Donc, ne pas h?siter ? "poster"... Welcome in this Forum. The spoken language doesn't have to be an issue, as our main driver here is the shared passion of awards, history... We, as non native english speakers, have to use a language we are not familiar with, but the most important is to convey our message. This Forum gathers members indulgent with these issues... real Gentlemen. So, please, don't refrain you to post... Cheers. Ch;

Yes, I know This was not the case in the past, as I first published it in a more visible place... I'll see what I can do... Cheers. Ch.

I have to say the recent development of this Quiz is really impressive!!! And, I would like , here, thank again the recent Members who contributed a lot, amongst them Christian Zulus!!! This small game has been launched 14 months ago now (on 1 Nov. 2005), and since : * 60 questions asked, * with 725 answers, * This quiz has been viewed more than 7670 times. * 28 Members of the Forum played, and 20 correctly answered at least 1 question : Nb of good answers : * 9 : Bryan (Soviet) * 8 : Christophe * 6 : Christian (Zulus) * 5 : Simon (Red Threat) * 4 : Ed (Haynes) * 3 : Andreas (Alfred) and Kim (Kimj). * 2 : Chuck (in Oregon), Gerd (Becker), Jan (vatjan), Order of Victory, and Wild Card. * 1 : Auke (Ferdinand), Darrell, Daredevil, Dave (Navy FCO), Dudeman, Piramida, Rick (Stogieman) and Steen (Ammentorp). This is a great cahievement. Thanks to all for your participation. Now, let's have fun again with the 61st question... Christian's!!! Cheers. Ch.

I have the feeling each order is sewn to the jacket through the loop. It seems to be handmade, a little bit comparable to what we sometimes see with german imperial medal bars. But, the pic is not clear enough to be affirmative... Ch.