Christophe

Here is the version actually proposed by Rosoboronexport : "GRAD MLRS Upgrade is designed to destroy enemy motorized infantry and infantry units in concentration area, on the move and in combat formations, artillery and mortar batteries, air defense units, manpower and unarmored military equipment, logistical objectives, light-tonnage vessels, remote laying of minefields. The system consists of: combat vehicle, unguided rocket projectiles (RP), transport vehicle, automated fire control system KAPUSTNIK-B, positioning system, training equipment, armament and equipment maintenance and repair vehicles, spare parts tools and accessories. Killing zone by a salvo fire of one combat vehicle (in 20 seconds) is: for manpower - 2,5 ha; for unarmored military equipment - 1,8 ha. To destroy (up to 30%) moving tanks on a 1km part of the frontline it is necessary to fire up to 90 unguided rocket projectiles with antitank mines. Combat vehicle BM-21 is equipped with automated fire control system and combat control and communications means. This equipment and means provide unaimed combat vehicle targeting and complete combat autonomy. To control formations an automated control system KAPUSTNIK-B is used. Command vehicles have three communication channels, 2-3 power supply sources, communications equipment coding aids, up-to-date information support. To provide defeat of targets in real time the automated control system is integrated with small-size reconnaissance and surveillance complex comprising Pchela-1 Remote-Controlled Unmanned Vehicle. As the result the integral index of GRAD MLRS combat effectiveness has increased by 60% while expenditure of rounds on common targets has reduced by 1,5-3,0 times." Today, this system can fire a total of 40 rockets. Ch. Pic : www.rusarm.ru

Thanks to Order of Victory and Wild Card!! A very nice tour and trivia!!! A good question from OoV that let us speechless (except Wild Card)... I would be more than interested if anyone here has more pics of this monument to post!!! Wild Card, thanks for the link : a very infoirmative one about Baku's architectural history!! Ch.

A third one (sorry for the bad quality of these...). Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Another pic, for the experts... Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

I agree with you, Ed, as on the frame is just said "Victoria Cross". If this VC had been attributed, I think it would have been engraved on the frame. But, maybe am I wrong... I'm not an expert in VC (and medals in general... ), far from this!!! Cheers. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Who else for trying to ID this monument ? Ch.

Ed, I have the feeling that your crop in Moscow has been fruitful... Ch.

Others, any idea ? Ch.

Jacky, Your comment is not exactly fair ... Hendrik, on his site exactly said : "The 1954 War Cross (Croix de Guerre) Intended for award in the "next" war, this medal was instituted on 3 April 1954. The criteria for the award (either to individuals or to units) would allow for this decoration to be bestowed for hostilities in foreign theatres of operations as well but so far no such awards have been noted. The obverse of the cross shows the Belgian Lion whereas the reverse has the national coat of arms in its central medallion. A palm without royal cypher has been foreseen in case of a mention in despatches and also bars bearing either the year or the theatre of operations of the armed conflict have been instituted. The small lion device in the picture seems to be added by an enterprising manufacturer but is not official. Different manufacturing types exist as can be seen from the size of the central medallion on the crosses below." Ch.

Rick, This ribbon bar is splendid!!!!! ... and unusual. Unfortunately, I have no idea of what is the unknown ribbon. Ch.

Interesting to notice the "Odessa" spelling is not the same on the two versions of the bars... Ch.

Has this monument been destroyed during the GPW ? Ch.

Would it be a monument in the glory of Stalin ? The manner they are looking at someone, with offerings... And since this monument apparently does not exist anymore; maybe my theory... Ch.

This seems a "traditional" display in Soviet Museums... There is an equivalent one on the Museum of the Blockade of Leningrad, in St Petersburg. Ch.

Hi Wild Card, I don't know what Ed will answer... but IMHO, just for reasons linked to the display... I can't think any other reason. Ch.

Probably a good "museum" copy... What do you think ? Ch.

YES, YES, YES!!!! Pleeeease... Ch.

Is it part of a display ? Ch.

I think I have read somewhere his (Zhukov) Orders of Victory were noit on public display, but in a vault of the Museum... I have to check... Ch.

Ed, Fantastic . Please, keep them coming!!!! Ch.

Jef, This is a nice one. Hendrik is right; this is a private purchase. I have never seen one like this... Very nice!!! That's what is interesting in private versions : all different, with a wide range of varieties!!! Cheers. Ch.

Admiral Andr? Patou I forgot to mention that the Admiral died on Saturday 10 june 2006. Ch.

OoV, Thanks. I have myself to come back to this Museum, as it makes several years I have not gone there... The memory of these great men and soldiers is worthwile remembering. Cheers. Ch.

Only 74 surviving Companions of the Liberation We have learnt today the death of Admiral Andr? Patou, Companion of the Lib?ration. Andr? Patou, born in 1910, has been Chief of Staff of the French Navy from 1968 to 1970. Here is his bio (in French) : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_compagnon/751.html After his death, there are now only 74 surviving Companions of the Liberation. The list of the surviving Companions of the Liberation : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr_doc/4_1_2_2.php Ch. Pic : Chancellerie de l'Ordre de la Lib?ration.

Yesterday, in France, we celebrated the 66th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's Appeal of 18 June 1940. This Appeal aimed at rallying all of the French values and energy in favour of the Resistance against the Germans forces occupying France, announced the creation of the Order of the Liberation. When the decree to deactivate the Order of the Liberation was signed on 23 January 1946, there were exactly 1,036 Companions of the Liberation, five French communities and eighteen combat units that had received the award. Out of the 1,036 Companions, more than 700 actually survived the war. Here you can find the list of the Companions of the Liberation : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/us_doc/4_1_compagnon.html At the date of this ceremony, there are only 75 surviving Companions of the Liberation. The pic shows the anniversary ceremony of the Appeal at the Mont Valerien. Ch. Pic : ? Service photographique de la Pr?sidence de la R?publique - F. P?rier - Tous droits r?serv?s.