Christophe

Portrait #12 Russian and Soviet orders together. Sorry for the not so good quality of the pic... Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

I suppose this is an exhibition in China. Where is it taking place ? Ch.

De Gaulle was not the "official" government, so he could not do it. But, I also believe he did not award the L?gion d'Honneur during the war. He focused on the Order de la Lib?ration, the Medals for Resistance... L?gions d'Honneur have been awarded during WW2, but by the "official" authorities. Not a lot I think. I would be interested in knowing how many... Ch.

Craig, During WW2, neither the French Government of Vichy nor the Free France Authorities made a large use of the Legion d'Honneur. But it has been awarded during this period and has never been discontinued. General de Gaulle, just after the Liberation began to give back the award its prestige, and specifically put in place a decree in November 1962 to give the Order a new status. Ch.

Great Dave . I have sent you an e-mail. Cheers. Ch.

Craig, The Companions of the Liberation were awarded the Ordre de la Lib?ration (Order of the Liberation). Please, see : http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/us_doc/1_1_2_creation.html http://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/us_doc/1_1_3_croix.html Ch.

OK. Sorry. Again a fantasy piece, a commemorative badge of the Victory. I have seen it several times. I'll try to find a pic... Ch.

There was one for sale last month in Izmaelovo Market in Moscow... Close to the Order of Stalin. Both "fantasy"pieces... Ch.

This is the medal. Ch.

Do you mean this one ? It is a commemorative unofficial medal. I have more about it somewhere. Will find.. Ch.

Portrait #11 Close-up pic of orders and medals. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Portrait #11 Close-up pic of orders and the hidden Nevsky. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Portrait #11 Again, a nice one with HSU, 1 lenin, 4 ORB and a Nevsky. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Portrait #10 Close-up pic. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Portrait #10 A very simple one, with a nice HSL 1st suspension. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Thanks to Nick, our Chairman , this thread has now been moved to its right place : WW2. Ch.

Thanks to Nick, our Chairman , this thread has now been moved to its right place : WW1. Ch.

Again.... Ch.

Sorry Belaruski, I posted about the same details as you, but your post did not appear while I was writing mine... Cheers. Ch.

Congrats Simon (RedThreat) !!! And bravo to Belaruski for the question. Simon, your turn, now!!! Ch.

Here are a few details about Masherov (source Wikipedia) : "Pyotr Mironovich Masherov (1918 - 1980) was the secretary of Belarusian committee of the Communist Party of Soviet Union and a communist leader of Soviet Belarus. Pyotr Masherov was born as Pyatro Mashera in a village in Vitsebsk region of Belarus and before the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War in 1941 worked as a highschool physics and math teacher. Between 1942 and 1944 Masherov led an underground group of Soviet partisans in Belarus and was awarded title Hero of the Soviet Union in August of 1944. In 1965 after holding some key positions in Belarusian regions and in Minsk Pyotr Masherov became the first secretary of the Communist party in Belarus. He was de facto the president of Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. He differed from many other leaders of the Soviet times in that he was truly beloved by people for advocating the early form of glasnost, did a lot for Belarus. Many had considered him the likely successor of the aging General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev. In 1978 Pyotr Masherov was awarded Hero of Socialist Labor title for his contributions to the development of Belorussian republic. He died in an automobile accident when his car, escorted by police, collided with a produce truck (potatoes) that had unexpectedly entered the freeway. It was declared an accident but some think that it was staged by the KGB to eliminate a strong potential candidate for the leadership in USSR. One of the major streets in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was named "Masherov Avenue" in 1990's, it was re-named in May of 2005." Ch.

Portrait #9 Close-up pic. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Portrait #9 A nice mix of Soviet, Polish... orders and medals. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Christian, What I meant is that if there was a French version; there certainly also existed an English one. Ch.

The hierarchy and order of preseance of some of the French awards is... surprising!!! Ch.