Ed_Haynes

Interesting one of a Subadar (?) with the Indian Overseas Badge. Any name or regiment?

The first is, of course, the GSM.

I suspect there may be a very interesting story here, if you can ever dig it out. At least there are some WWII campaign medals, though he seems at first glance to be very much of a "rear area" kind of guy. While they were vitally important to the winning of the war (as was civilian effort), many who are more soldier-loving don't see them as very sexy. The more important point is that without any numbered Soviet awards it will be hard to link into his history. I do suspect, however, that he must have had something in the way of long service awards (MMM, Red Star) that have been split off.

It is worth asking the Researcher, sending him large detailed scans of the booklets for the WWII medals.

1- It was my understanding that it was a Ukrainian Khmelnitsky and not the Soviet one, so 0% chance (<0% chance?) of research.

2- I didn't think he had ANY medals from the GPW, just post-war commemoratives? So no Victory over Anybody Medal?

Dead end, I fear.

Did they have any Indian Officers, or were they ALL German?

JCOs in Europe (on British pattern), only in Asia were the INA officers Indian. Among the major differences between the two INAs.

Not much very good has been done, as most have not bothered with the records and have drawn instead upon the 'wisdom' of 'Third Reich' collector 'wisdom'. Not suce how much the newly available 'INA Papers' in the National Archives (New Delhi) deal with the European INA (Azad Hind Fauj). Next time I'm back, I'll know.

Interesting that the soldiers in the picture above wear the eagle and swastika of Germany. Early on they didn't, but after Bose's departure they couldn't resist the Nazi pressure.

The whole 'Waffen SS' connection is debated. None of the veterans I contacted (Indian or German) were aware of that connection and certainly never wore nor even knew of that uniform and ostensible badges.

Ouch. Not sure there is any place to start. There is nothing other than a name about the group that could instigate a search and you don't have branch of serive or rank or much else (other than that he was a Ukranian, at least at some late time in life). Not sure there's any place to start, but you can always ask the researcher. Answering such questions is free (as are failed searches), which is why the cost of successful searches is so high (actually, as someone who does reasearch, I don't think it is, but so many complain).

Good question, Rick.

On both, they are Mongolian-made and have the number "69" on them. This is likely a date?

If it is 1943, which I suspect it is, it would have been taken out in Bordeaux, where is where the AHF was based after any chance of them even reaching India vanished (= Stalingrad).

Shoulder boards.

I also have his greatcoat (when I can figure out the best way to scan it -- weighs a TON).

Collar tab.

Closer.

Just in, a 1960s/1970s (?) major general's tunic. Have shown his ribbon bar elsewhere. No naming found, but still looking.

Ooog. Need branch of service color data!

Dark blue = State Security

Dark Green = Border Guards (if following Soviet system)

but red and white = ?

#12 would be for a gray shirt-- 4 star general?

#13 also for a shirt, only army color. Same?

Good question, Rick. I suspect Soviet models were followed "closely", but how closely? The question is being asked.

I now kick myself pre-1949 goodies for not acquiring many more of these when I had the chance.

And, finally for now, some very early (well, pre-1942?) unknowns.

20-

21-

22-

More later as I sort.

16- contemporary, dress, senior sgt.

17- contemporary, field, colonel

18- contemporary, field, lt-colonel

19- contemporary, field, senior private (or senior sgt?)

13- another police-like thing, also captain (?), light olive green

14- contemporary, dress slip-on, major

15- contemporary, dress slip-on, lt-colonel, maybe air force (?)

10- post-1992/pre-today (?), field, colonel

11- post-1992/pre-today (?), field, senior lt.

12- some sort of goofy police thing? captain maybe (?) the color is gray-blue in case the scan is misleading

Oooooooooo! A Generallllllllll.

Yes, the very model of a post-modern Major General. Will get him up when the light is better.

Seeking a name in his tunis and gigantic greatcoat (but Ulanbaatar winters are coooollllldddd).

7- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), dress, sgt. major

8- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), dress, sgt. major (?)

9- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), dress, sgt. lt-colonel (?), slip-on

4- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), field, maybe police officer (?)

5- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), field, maybe police sgt. (?)

6- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), field, major (?) - marked 1990 on reverse

I know only slightly more about these than I do about things like patches, and the existing sources aren't very good: Battushig's book, the various US area handbooks, and the online

http://www.uniforminsignia.net/index.php?p...35&sid=2169

http://www.uniforminsignia.net/index.php?p=state&id=158

Despite this -- or perhaps due to this -- let me post some items here in hopes we can sort some things out. Numbering these so I and I hope we can make easy reference.

Posting somewhat randomly, using the 'Rick Rule' to rotate 90 degrees before scanning. (All are in pairs.)

1- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), dress, lieutenant (?)

2- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), field, lieutenant-colonel (?)

3- post-1945/pre-1992 (?), field, major (?)

None have any tags or marks on the reverse -- I'd mention such if this were the case.

These are from the new republic? Very nicely done embroidery. Any kind of markings on the back from the makers?

Yes contemporary. And no reverse markings, though the reverses are very 'neat', a sign of high-quality work.

At least in part police, I think.

And:

4

5 6

7 8

Something I know VERY little about, but since a few came in a late-holiday package, I thought I'd share them. As IDs come, if they come, I'll add them here.

For reference what I'll call:

1 2

3 4

Nice group Ed.

This is also the first time I've seen a Red Star issued at BRIGADE level!

Here is an overview who was able to award the different awards.

regards

Andreas

Interesting chart, Andreas. Thanks!