Ed_Haynes

And . . .

But it has been researched:

A broken, group (alas). I have only a solo Red Star, #3795082.

And a pretty single Red Banner. Awarded to Nikolai Andreiovich Lyashenko in 1970. For service in Egypt. See: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8387

A new guest has arrived. A single Red Star. "Just" a single Red Star. Awarded to Colonel Nikolai Ivanovich Vavenko in 1981. Awarded in a city named Kabul. Award cards for an earlier Red Star, this, and a posthumous Homeland 3 are in hand, recommendations being sought. See also: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10376

William Spencer, Medals: The Researcher's Guide ([Kew;} The National Archives, [2006]; 224 pp.; ISBN 7-903365-63-5; ?19.99) When ordering books, sight unseen, one is so often surprised. And usually not surprised positively. Catalogue descriptions often leave some details missing and I have often been disappointed when upwrapping the latest library addition. When I ordered this, I expected one of those old familiar PRO (now "National Archives" soft-cover pamphets such as "Army Service Records of the First World War" (by Fowler et al.). Boy, was I ever surprised when Spencer's book arrived! Spencer, a medal collector himself and military history specialist at the PRO for his entire career, has produced a book that is both phyically impressive (hardbound, coated paper, well illustrated in black and white and colour, filled with both examples of documents and eye-candy of medals) and immensely valuable. He surveys every award, avery era, and provides concrete real-world information on what records exist at the NA, with examples supported by case studies. We learn what records exist, how to get them, and how to use and read them; for example, the arcane mysteries of deciphering a WWII MIC card are explained in articulate and useful detail. While most of his focus is on awards of specifically "British" interest, there is more than enough here to satisfy collectors within the wider sphere of "the Empire". If, now, we had a companion volume for the India Office Records (presently incarcerated at the British Library), our research guides for UK-based research work would be complete. Even if you have never worked and never plan to work personally at the NA, this is a must-have book. Knowing "what can be known" allows you to plan what is feasible. I would certainly not explore the computerised catagogue to the NA (which also allows online ordering of xeroxes or PDF files) without several hours spent in this book. Any first-timer at the NA would be, to put it bluntly, a fool not to consult this book before their arrival. And, speaking personally, I have worked there on a number of happy occasions and so wish that this book had been available before my first trip; even as a NA veteran of sorts, I am sure my next trip will be immensely simplified because of Spencer's work. Simply put: A must-have book!!

C 01 -- Army Pin The grandfather of them all, the first pin for the Mongolian Army, ca. 1921. This one, though in generally good condition, has been altered for sewing directly onto the uniform.

Wow! With a number that low, this could be a very interesting research project.

I don't have those God Powers. If we want to discuss Turkish awards, which I'd love to do, it is a much larger issue that their Great War era allegiances. Similar to the earlier silliness of discussing Japanese awards only as "Axis" awards. Not all medals are valid only as they are linked to German medals.

Shouldn't this be in the international forum??

While this is totally ---- Our good friend Battushig reports from Ulanbaatar that he is the proud father of his first child, a daughter, born 29 October. All are doing well. Congratulations, Bat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1776 (among others)

Pretty

Just to "bump" this, as there has been some parallel "Tammy-discussion" of late. Gets confusing when things are in disparate threads.

Kingdom Kabul 1880 Medal I have seen references that a medal was issued in 1880 to the defenders of Kabul against the British attack in the Second Afghan War. I have never seen it illustrated, but I think this may be it. The medal is 30 mm. This specimen is (obviously) badly worn.

Kingdom Unknown I do not even KNOW this is Afghan, but I think it is. Here it is anyway. The star is 65 mm.

Kingdom Unknown This has been seen described as the "Order of Independence", which it isn't. Whatever it is, this is the fourth class of it. The badge is 65 mm.

Kingdom Nishan-i-Shujjat / Order of the Gallantry Imperfectly documented. Here it is anyway. The star is 70 mm.

Kingdom Nishan-i-Sardar / Order of the Leader Created 1922 and also lapsed into obsolescence in 1973. In five classes plus two medals; these are those, silver and bronze (there MAY have been a gold medal also?). Medals 36 mm.

Kingdom Nishan-i-Lmar-i-Ala / Order of the Sun As above. Likely 4th class (numbered "4" on obverse). The badge is 60 mm.

Kingdom Nishan-i-Lmar-i-Ala / Order of the Sun Founded in 1920 and obsolete in 1974. It came in seven classes and two medals. This is believed to be the third class (numbered "3" on obverse). Interestingly, it is numbered on the reverse. The badge is 80 mm.

Kingdom Nishan-i-Istiqlal / Order of Independence Breast star of (??) 2nd class. The order came in seven classes (created 1911, obsolete with the 1974 revolution). It seems the center part has been repaired if not outright replaced. The badge is 87 mm.

Among my other minor areas, I collect and try to study the awards of Afghanistan, from the earliest awards to the present, though with a special interest in the awards of the People's Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (roughly 1978-92). Studying and collecting these things is immensely difficult and almost no reliable sources exist. I'll post a few things from the kingdom, the republic(s), and some unknown items. No good source exists for the kingdom, though one has been rumored for some time, for the PDRA ("Soviet") period, we have only State Awards of Afghanistan, by G. Tisov and V. Shirshov (Moscow: ca. 1998). The Tislov and Shirshov is (1) in Russian, (2) only addresses military awards, and (3) just 72 pages, but it is, so far, all we have. What fun!

Well put, Peter! Actually, I was about to observe that it makes "Die Kneipe" over at the WAF sound like the Times.

Source? The Onion??