Christophe

I've tried to work on this plaque... but unfortunately, no result... Ch.

Someone used to read and decipher graves with text in Russian could certainly help us... Ch.

OoV, I think you can give us more clues... Cheers. Ch.

Do you recognise any familiar name ? Ch.

Others, any idea ? Or do we ask for an additional clue from Order of Victory ? Ch.

Micha, Very nice bar. Have you also got the associated docs and pics (which were part of the auction?). Ch.

Hi Paul, I'm unfortunately not able to help for the translation, but I have taken the liberty to "work" on your pic to make it (I hope) easier to read... Hope this helps. Good luck!! Cheers. Ch.

Wild Card, That's a very good one. You are right; we were far from the reality... But, how many realities? Congrats, a very nice - and full of promices - bar . Cheers. Ch.

Andreas, As said in the title, he is Marshall Lin Biao, born 5 December 1907, appointed Marshall in 1955, dead on 13 September 1971. Cheers. Ch.

Hi Paul, I also thought to this. But if this hypothesis is OK, would the preseance order be the one you mention ? And it doesn't explain the 5th ribbon... or Cheers. Ch;

Maybe I am wrong, but regarding the different size of the two last ones, I don't think they are Prussian... A nice and interesting challenge, Wild Card!! Ch.

Interesting to note the difference of size of the two last ribbons compared to the two first ones... Ch.

Dan, Here it is. Ch.

Claudio, As a real beginner in this field (Imperial), I have to say it is a very nice bar!!!! Congrats!!! Cheers. Ch.

For those interested (and speaking French), you can download / see hereafter a doument describing the 6 last WW1 survivors' lives (at 30.10.05) : http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/onac/enje...lus/les_poilus/ It is edited by the French Ministry of Defense (ONAC) and called : "1914-1918 - Ils avaient 18 ans - Regards d'histoires, regard sur l'histoire". (1914-1918 - They were 18 - Looks on stories, and on History). Ch.

Leon Weil, one of France's last surviving veterans of World War I, has died this week, on Tuesday 6 June 2006. He was 109. There are now only six officially recognized surviving French veterans of the Great War. Leon Weil, born 16 July 1896, was mobilized in August 1916 at the age of 20 and sent to the Chemin des Dames, Craonne fronts. In World War II, Weil was an active member of an intelligence network for the Resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. He was decorated as a combatant in both wars and was awarded France's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur. Ch. Pic : AFP.

No one to try finding the answer to Order of Victory's question ? Come on guys!! Let's try!!! Ch.

As far as I know, it is the Soviet version : Order of Friendship of Peoples (USSR, 1991). Ch.

According to ALL books, except PMD's red Bible, it is Silver for the 1st class and Brass (sems like Gold) for the 2nd Class. I think PMD corrected this mistake in one of his online newsletters around 1997-1998. Ch.

The page where the Kazakh awards are shortly described : http://www.kazakhstan.orexca.com/awards_kazakhstan.shtml Ch.

The Order "Отанга кызметi ушiн", means the Order of the Snow Leopard "Barys". The "Barys" award was introduced in 1999. This decoration is conferred upon individuals for service in the strengthening the State System and Sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan, guaranteeing peace, consolidating the community and unity ofthe people of Kazakhstan instate, industrial, scientific, socio-cultural and public activity, consolidating cooperation among peoples, rapprochement and interenrichment of national cultures and friendly relationships among states. "Barys" award has various types: (I, II and III). Source : http://www.orexca.com/ Ch.

Hendrik, I'm very happy about this . Too bad we did not find time to meet in Paris... Cheers. Ch.

This is true, and I think these unofficial bars are only worn by retired veterans... Chris, many thanks for the interesting post . Cheers. Ch.

But, first let's wait for what the others will say or propose... I've no idea, but maybe that's me... And, it's the week-end, maybe later they will come back... Ch.

Not a bad idea ... I've tried to find, but . Ch.