Gunner 1

Hendrik: You are correct that the article (and his book) is about the Order of Leopold, not the Order of Leopold II, but I think both were being discussed on this thread. Gunner I

For those of you interested in the Order of Leopold the upcoming July-August issue of JOMSA: The Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America will have as its feature article "About the Origins of the Belgian Order of Leopold" by Lieutenant Colonel Eric Tripnaux. The article discusses the origins of the Order and illustrates the four types of the Order in the 1800s based on the form of the crown. The issue goes to the printer on 30 June and should be out to the membership by the third week in July. Regards, Gunner 1

The 2nd (Derajat) Indian Mountain Battery (four 3.7-inch howitzers) arrived at Maymyo in March 1938 and in December 1941 was at a practice camp in the Shan State of Laikha. They were ordered to move immediately to Loimwe, about 300 miles away at the junction of the borders of China, Laos, Thailand and Burma. After a long and treacherous march they arrived at Loimwe just before Christmas 1941 (there is an article about this march by Major P. Hartley in Tales of the Mountain Gunners). In February 1942, the Battery was ordered to Takaw and then to Taunggyi where they joined the 27th Mountain Regiment under the command of Lt-Col. W G Constable. At that time the battery was under the command of Major P. Hartley, with the other officers being: Capt. A. B. Howard, Lt J. Nettelfield and Lt F. W. Graham. During this period the Battery was part of the 1st Burma Division (Mountain Battery by Pat Carmichael who was Orderly Officer of the 27th Mountain Regiment during this period has quite a bit of information about the Regiment and the 2nd (Derajat) Mountain Battery during the 1st Burma Campaign).

On 11 Mar 42 the Battery took part in an attack on the flank of the Japanese at Pyuntaza and the Battery was almost overrun but finally beat off the attack by firing their guns at point blank range and the gunners firing with rifles. On 22 March the Battery entrained at Toungoo to move to the Irrawaddy. By May 1942 the Battery marched out of Burma with their guns and most of their equipment and went into reserve at Imphal.

During the 2nd Arakan Campaign in 1944 the Battery in May 1944 joined the 26th Indian Division but in December 1944 it was posted to 24th Indian Mountain Regiment in the 5th Indian Division at Kohima, and later, Jotsoma. During the siege of Kohima Lt J. S. Punia and his FOO party slipped into Kohima and called in fire missions to the Battery that was at Jotsoma. At this time the Battery was commanded by Major J. Nettelfield. The Battery in 1945 took part in the crossing of the Irrawaddy and the capture of Mandalay. (The History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Far East Theatre 1941-46 has numerous references to the role of the Battery in the campaigns in Burma.)

On 1 November 1945 the Battery arrived in Singapore on the destroyer Caron and took part in the reoccupation of that city as part of 5th Indian Division.

Regards, Gunner 1

Anatoly: Thanx for the URL to the Sammler site. Very useful information. Regards, Gunner 1

If you are married, you can also borrow the wife's nail polish remover as it also contains acetone. Gunner 1 :jumping:

If you are married, you can also borrow the wife's nail polish remover as it also contains acetone. Gunner 1

General of the Army Markian Mikhailovich Popov

Born in 1902

Veteran of the Civil War

In the Soviet Army in 1920

Member of the Communist Party with 1921

Graduated from the course 'Vystrel' in 1925

Graduate of the Military Academy in the name of M. V. Frunze in 1936

In January 1941 he was appointed as Commander of Military Forces of the Leningrad Military District

Promoted to Lieutenant General in June 1941

Commander, Military Forces of the Northern and Leningrad Fronts from June to September 1941

Commander of 61st and 40th Armies from November 1941 to October 1942

Deputy Commander, Stalingrad and South-Western Fronts and Commander 5th Assault Army and 5th Tank Army from October 1942 to January 1943)

From April to May 1943 he commanded the Reserve Front and Military Forces of the Steppe Military District

Commanded the Briansk Front from June to October 1943, the Pribaltic and 2nd Pribaltic Fronts from October 1943 to April 1944

From April 1944 to July 1945 he was Chief of Staff of the Leningrad front; 2nd Pribaltic Front and Leningrad fronts

From 1945 to 19455 he was Commander of Military Forces of the L'vovsk Front

He was Commander of the Military Forces of the Tavricheskii Front from 1946-1954

Promoted to General of the Army in 1953

From 1955 to 1956 he was Vice Chief, later Chief of the Main Directorate of Military Training

From August 1956 to 1962 he was Chief of the Main Staff and 1st Deputy Commander of Sukhoput. Military Forces

In 1962 he was appointed to the Group of General Inspectors of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR

Appointed as a Hero of the Soviet Union in 1965

Died in 1969

Awarded the Gold Star of a HSU, five Orders of Lenin, 3 Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of Suvorov, 1st Class, two Orders of Kutuzov, 1st Class, and the Order of the Red Star.

Regards, Gunner 1

Mervyn wrote:

When despatching to the US , if it is an old item the purchasers always ask us to put 'old' or 'antique' on the declaration as it is then exempt from import duty (or, at least lower). Would this description help with Canadian Customs ?

Actually this is old tale that is incorrect. There is no customs duty on medals coming into the United States regardless of age. The applicable section of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2001) (Rev. 1) is "HTS: 9705.00.0090" which states that ?collections and collectors pieces of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, paleontological, ethnographic or numismatic interest? are duty free. Medals fall under the collectible items of numismatic interest. The customs' declaration on the package should include the phrases "HTS: 9705.00.0090" and "Collectors pieces of numismatic interest." I have no idea whether this will work for Canada. I was under the impression that in Canada and the U. K. that the charges were a value added tax rather than a custom's duty.

Regards. Gunner 1

Mike: Try acetone, but don't smoke while you use it. Regards, Gunner 1

3rd Class, case 6: 'Zaluga', bright red case.

3rd Class, case 5: 'Zaluga', dark cherry case.

3rd Class, case 4: 'Zaluga', red case.

3rd Class, case 3: 'Zaluge', red case without gold trim.

3rd Class, case 2: 'Zaluge', red case with gold trim.

And six cases for the 3rd Class.

Case 1: "Zaluge", smaller, square, red box with pasted-on label.

2nd Class, Box 3

2nd Class, Box 2

Three types of 2nd Class cases in my collection. Gunner 1

Box 1

Ed wrote: Yes. Just to make you feel bad , my GV cased MC specimen (purchased from Spink) was a whopping $40 (US) back in the day . . . .

Ed: I know the feeling, in 1962 I bought a Great War George V DFC for $15.00. Gunner 1

You might be interested to know that there is an article on Malawi medals in the upcoming March 2009 issue of the Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society. Gunner 1

There is no citation given in these lists - just the rank, name, and unit. Regards, Gunner 1

Bison: I can find no French officer with the name 'ROUSSIER' in the lists of British Military Cross recipients that I have. It is possible that I might be missing a few lists. Regards, Gunner 1

The Military Medal to Henri Coste was published in the War Office List of 30 October 1916. Gunner 1

Bison wrote:

I have a name for the owner of this group. I found him in the L?gion d'honneur database. But I didn't succeed in finding him in the London Gazette data base for the Military Cross. Do you know if we can find & confirm the names of Allies who were distinguished with British awards???

British awards to foreign soldiers were not published in the London Gazette but rather were placed on War Office Lists. I have many of these lists and would be happy to look up your man if you send me his name. Regards, Gunner 1

Cpl Carl H. Ehlers was awarded DSC number 2171. Gunner 1