Christophe

Just for my education, 1 (stupid ?) question : What lead you to think it is "saxon" ? Many thanks in advance. Cheers. Ch.

Sure Rick!! Don't deceive us!!!! Cheers. Ch.

Thanks Bryan, nice ones!!! As I have already asked a number of questions here, may I suggest Stogieman (who was in fact the first one to give the right answer) ask the next question ? Rick, your turn now!!! Cheers. Ch.

OK . Looking at the pictures, I thought this book could be of help... Cheers. Ch.

Part 3. Hope this helps. Ch. Pic : "History of the Russian State in Awards and Badges" by Nicolai Gladkov. Vol 2. (2004).

Part 2. Ch. Pic : "History of the Russian State in Awards and Badges" by Nicolai Gladkov. Vol 2. (2004).

Hi Dudeman, I'm unable (no knowledge enough...) to state on these points. But, I have a book including a small chapter on this subject : "History of the Russian State in Awards and Badges" by Nicolai Gladkov (2004). These badges are covered in the Volume 2, dedicated to Soviet Union. And it shows a Naval version of the ribbon / badge. This book is in Russian. My Russian is not good enough to allow a correct translation. Maybe a Russian speaking Member could help in summarizing what is said, and whether the way this point is dealt in this book could help or not ? Cheers. Ch. Pic : "History of the Russian State in Awards and Badges" by Nicolai Gladkov. Vol 2. (2004).

I have begun posting Monty's orders and medals, as displayed in the Imperial War Museum in London, here : http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=4894 Cheers. Ch.

Main display of Monty's orders and medals (mainly foreign orders here), including two bars, one normal size and one miniature. Detailed pics to follow. Ch. ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

In this thread, I will post pics of Marshal Montgomery's awards, as displayed in the fabulous permanent exhibition of the Imperial War Museum of London : "Monty". When you are in London, please pay a visit to it!!! It is outstanding!!! Sorry for the quality of some pics; as the awards are displayed in glass cabinets, taking photographs of them is not always easy. Enjoy!!! Cheers. Ch.

Is it home made ? Ch.

Back. Ch. Pic : Collectrussia

Here is another one, described as such by the seller : "1939 World's Fair in New York, Soviet badge. Nickel-plated brass, enamel. Made in the USA. The design is the logo for the Soviet Exhibition. Typical Soviet design of the era depicting a young worker in coveralls holding a red star, with unfurled Soviet flag behind him. 37 mm tall. Shows several maker marks to the reverse, apparently of American Origin. Condition is very fine, with a tiny enamel chip to the upper left corner of the flag, and small internal cracks to the bottom right corner. The damage is barely noticeable. The nickel plating is practically intact, and there is very little wear overall. Comes with original screw nut." Nice and interesting badge... made in USA. Ch. Pic : Collectrussia.

I think Rick is right, as it is the Pavilion of the USSR at the International Exhibition in New-York, in 1939. The Architect in Chief was D.M.Iofan. Ch.

Bryan, That's a very nice pic . I'm sure this is not the right answer, but it looks like the Soviet Pavilion for the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1937... Ch.

Rick, and . Cheers. Ch. BTW, where (or how) did you learn French?

So Bryan (Soviet), you are the winner. Congrats!! Your turn now to post the next question!!! Cheers. Ch.

I'm just kidding... Impressed as I am... Ch.

Certainement mon cher Rick!!!! In French, "une" is for females... So, I think you are "un" homme... Am I right ? Cheers. Ch.

In the Museum are displayed : * ML's large award doc for his HSU. His HSU is the SN 10206, attributed on 4 June 1945. The HSU SN is visible on the doc. * ML's small identification booklet for the HSU. No SN on it. * ML's HSU star (a copy with a flat reverse, without any SN). * ML's Order of Lenin (a copy). * ML's Order of the Red Banner SN 96 323. * ML's Order of the GPW 2nd Class SN 19 372. The Museum responsible I met had no idea where could be the real HSU star and order of Lenin, as well as those of the 3 other Normandie-Niemen HSUs. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Lieutenant Marcel Lef?vre. Pilot Escadrille Normandie-Niemen. Marcel Lef?vre was born on 17 March 1918 in Les Andelys (Eure), Normandy (France). Thanks to his interest in aviation he obtains his pilot's licence in 1937. In 1938 he enters the French Air Force and obtains his military pilot's licence the same year at the school of Angers. A flying fanatic, he got in total up to 785 hours of flight by the armistice of June 1940, in Bordeaux. He was demobilized on 1st January 1941. He preferred to leave the army rather than to fight in Syria against the English. On his return to France he passes the line of demarcation clandestinely, and is attached to G.C. 1/3 "Corsica" Fighter Squadron in Blida (Algeria) on 1st April 1941. Marcel Lef?vre makes the decision to leave for Gibraltar as soon as the opportunity arises. 14 October 1941, in the company of Durand and Albert they benefit from an exercise to defect and fly with their "Dewoitine 520"s in the direction of Gibraltar. On his arrival within British territory, he asks to sign up in the F.A.F.L. He arrives in London in December 1941 and is then attached to a English Fighter Squadron responsible for the defense of London. He takes part in many missions over the English Channel and even in occupied France When he learns that a French fighter squadron is being formed in Russia , he goes volunteers straight away. Marcel Lef?vre, after a long flight, lands on the 29 November 1942 in Ivanovo. In March 1943, he is launched into his first engagements and very quickly shows the brilliance of his Pilot abilities. 5 May 1943, he shoots down his first German plane, a "Henschel 126". Up to 15 October 1943, Marcel Lef?vre scores 14 air victories including 11 approved. On 28 May 1944, Lieutenant Marcel Lef?vre Commander of the 3rd escadrille "Cherbourg" crashes to the ground in flames in Doubrovka. He is pulled out of his burning cockpit with serious burns to his face, hands and legs. He is transported to Moscow hospital and succumbs to his wounds on 5 June 1944. His mortal remains were handed over to the the French military authorities with extraordinary honors. He was buried in Moscow. Marcel Lef?vre was made "Hero of the Soviet Union" posthum, by decree of the Praesidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 4 June 1945. Lieutenant Marcel Lef?vre also received the Titular Cross, Military Cross, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Order of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War... With only 26 years of age he had totaled 1300 hours of flight and 128 combat missions. On 18 February 1953, the Russians gave the bodies of Marcel Lef?vre and several of his comrades of "Normandy-Niemen", to the French military authorities of West Berlin so that they can be repatriated. Marcel Lef?vre now lays in rest in Les Andelys. (Text inspired from "Ceux de Normandie-Niemen" of Yves Donjon. Ch.

Here is an abstract of his HSU doc... Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Bravo Bryan, We have an "official" winner !! BTW, I really don't know where you found all these precise elements... Here are the answers : 1. To whom do belong these orders and medals ? Marcel Lef?vre 2. This person has been awarded the Gold Star of Hero of the Soviet Union (HSU) : Why ? He was part of the Escadrille Normandie-Niemen. Let's see further... 3. Date of the HSU ? 4 June 1945 4. Serial Number of the HSU ? SN #10206 5. Where are today displayed these medals ? Mus?e Normandie-Niemen - Les Andelys (Normandy). Ch.

Absolutely!!! I did not know you mastered French language so precisely ... Ch.

Bryan, Very good answers; you have nearly won. * His first name is Marcel. But, the family name? What is it? * The medals are effectively in the Mus?e Normandie-Niemen. To offcially declare you are the winner , I just need now the family name, and if you can give the date and SN of the HSU, it will be a real plus!!!! Cheers. Ch.