Ed_Haynes

No, all continues seamlessly. There has been no conscious erasure of the past as in the USSR and the same awards continue. There is occasionally talk about getting a new set of awards and we should tremble at the likely ugly silliness that would emerge. This issue has been raised in the campaign leading up to the election (voting is underway even as I type), but no one really expects anything to change anytime soon. Everyone wears these domed plastic things (although they are quite unofficial). There have, however, been few new mass-distribution things issued.

Part of the problem is that everyone in the military cares about high-tech toys and more medals for generals than they do about getting earned awards to their soldiers. These is a growing sense: You really want a medal NOW, then go to a military tailor and buy yourself one (and it will be all sparkly, which will surely entertain the colonel, for folks like that love sparkly things). Sound like other countries we can think of? As The Book addresses some of these issues, the authors may wind up in jail.

As one example, the most recent living recipients of the Param Vir Chakra (India's Victoria Cross equivalent). Admittedly, their need to appear in public was driven by political and public relations concerns.

Yes. Slowness of issue from the mint (or in submission of rolls, whichever), Many medals are no made by private contractors, who are even slower. This all helps the military tailors get rich(er) selling their special garbage. Sure, shall dig some out and add. Yes. No argument here.

Oh, German. Perhaps putting that in the title would help?

These two are trisksy.

Quite plausible and with a good "gut" feeling. Actually, the first one is the Istar-I-Herb, 1391, for the 1971 war (no Bengali and point up -- the 1375 [1965] medal is bilingual in Bengali and the point is downwards -- and the ribbons are different).

Established 17 December 1972. Fascinating photo . . . .

A very common sight to see. I passed on (and I think I now regret that decision) a mounted "group" of seven medals with only the Sainya Seva Medal actually present, all the others being represtational ribbons.

Oh . . . nice . . . His first award on the left is the Soviet OIrder of Friendship of Peoples. Let me expand the image and do some serious quinting . . . .

Nice one, for sure. Unfortunately, absent the medal roll or original casualty roll it is hard to say who is who on this moderately common name. Farrington's focus was never on Indian soldiers, so he rarely bothers with their regimental numbers. Let me see if I can find anything.

Two new bronze IGS95s: 1- Cook Uttam 1st Patiala I. S. Infy. 2- Bhishtee Hira 1st Patiala I. S. Infy. Resarch yet to be done.

While the identification of this contemporary award is less that 100% secure, the design is sure to get some of our members all 'excited'. Massive and ugly, but I think it is interesting. While it may not be clear in the scan, it is numbered "No 010".

I don't know of anything other than that book in Thai (whose details have fallen through this brain's jetlagged swiss-cheese holes just now). Something good in English is needed on the whole range of Southeast Asian ODM, but I'm not sure there are folks out there with the requisite language and research skills.

Some new ribbon bars: 1- Polar Star, Hononary Medal of Labor, 40 Years of MPR / 50 Years of MPR, MRYL Medal (V06) 2- Hononary Medal of Combat [sic], 30th Anniversary of Khalkin Gol, 50 Years of Army/ 40th Anniversary of Khalkin Gol 3- Hononary Medal of Combat [sic], 50 Years of State Security, 60 Years of Army / 50 Years of Police 4- Medal of Unselfishness (??), 50 Years of MPR, 50 Years of State Security

Medal for the 25th Jubilee of Druk Gyalpo [King] Jigme Singye Wangchuk (b. 1955, r. 21 July 1972 --, crowned only in 1974). Cased.

Next pages.

And the document.

Now that I am back from my travels, I can add the hardware:

Thanks, Rick! It feels good (you know) to see a long gestation come to fruition.

Thanks "668..." need to check details on IEME. Groups to the Dunkirk Mule Guys are not uncommon; a friend has one of their IDSMs. In any case, the F&G Star was only for post-D-Day actions, NOT for Dunkirk (Churchill felt those at Dunkirk deserved NO medals, not believing in medals for defeats).

Yes. Yes, so far as I know this is the ONLY Indian F&G Star (and named and a full group at that!) in captivity. (Est. a total of 3,100 F&G Stars to Indians.) What he (and they) were doing there is the puzzle. There were mule troops at Dunkirk (some captured), but the F&G Star is for post-6 June 1944 services.

The book is out. Got a few copies just prior to leaving Delhi for the airport. (Back now, physically, mostly.) Should be on their website soon ('soon'). A display copy will be at OMSA and, perhaps, copies for sale (I am getting a shipment of twenty). More details when some degree of sanity dawns.

Just in (literally): 1939-45 Star - ME-102050 NK. MOHINDER SINGH I.E.M.E. Africa Star - ME-102050 NK. MOHINDER SINGH I.E.M.E. Italy Star - ME-102050 NK. MOHINDER SINGH I.E.M.E. France and Germany Star - ME-102050 NK. MOHINDER SINGH I.E.M.E. Defence Medal - unnamed War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed I hope some can appreciate the extent of my glee?? :jumping:

Good news!