IrishGunner

Visiting a war-zone by the officers of a non-combatant nation was pretty common in the 19th and early 20th centuries. An army could learn about the new developments in warfare without having to pay the price.

I picked this up today at the Yerevan flea market - 100 Years of the Transcaucasian Railway. That would be 1865 - 1965 if my history is correct. What do you Soviet railroad buffs think of this badge?

Seems like the market is drying up here in Yerevan; not much to pick from these days. I was happy to upgrade my 1985 OGPW 1. Class to one that also has a document to an Armenian Senior Sergeant (at a nice price too).

Paul - from his Berlin doc; старшина Starshina or Sergeant Major. His name is Armenian; so, there is also a very good chance he was in the 89th Division - a mostly Armenian division and involved in the Capture of Berlin. I will definitely look to get this one researched - if I can find a reasonable priced researcher. :whistle:

I found another candidate ! 38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer This gun does not exist today what I can find and I haven´t found any pic of it yet .... maybe ? I wondered about this one too... Isn't this an engineer weapon? Can anyone ID if the uniforms are gunners or pioneers? My spider-senses are saying though that this is something Soviet...

Nice pieces; the Russian Federation is an interesting new area. I particularly like the Defense Ministry Decoration for Officiers of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Thanks for the post.

I haven't completely decided I want to "re-create" the bar with medals. Of course, I agree that it would have to be a copy ORB and an unnumbered MMM. But you know, for me, it still holds some allure without the medals. Any idea why a career military man would have the police medal?

This looks like the Eastern Front; what about a captured Soviet heavy mortar?

I am sure it is not the 60cm KARL. Here is that beast.

I haven't seen this yet - but I'm not a WW2 Wehrmacht artillery expert. But it definitely looks to be about 42cm, which might make the Krups Big Bertha a suspect - however, those were developed at the beginning of WW1 and I don't believe they made it to the Second War. It also doesn't appear like the Big Bertha's I've seen in photos. Of course, it could be a modified version of a 42cm super howitzer developed later.

Here's the stamp: 102.R.E.1.121 My guess is 102 Feldartillerie Regt, Ersatz Batl. 1 Batt. Sword #121 Does anyone agree or have other thoughts?

Great detective work on the ribbons, guys; I was ready to jump in that the first one is a Legion of Merit, but Hugh caught that one. However, I really don't think there are any WWI ribbons hidden here; also he has 6 Overseas Bars - 3 years service outside the US during wartime. So, I think that limits him to WW2 and I think we have to stay looking to the WW2 and possibly post-WW2 period for awards. Mainly, because I think this picture could even go into the late 40s or early 50s period and Wayne might be right that it's a retirement photo. The patch is definitely the SHAEF patch; but that headquarters was dissolved in July 1945. However, the patch continued. First as as US forces became USFET - US Forces European Theater in 1945, then becoming EUCOM - European Command in 1947 - finally in 1952 US Army Europe - USAREUR - retaining the SHAEF patch as it's SSI; which it in fact, remains as the USAREUR SSI even today. So, our colonel's picture could have even been taken after 1952 - and still have that patch. I wish we could see his right shoulder to see if there is a combat patch. I'm also certain - as others have said - that the ring is a West Point class ring; while still not conclusive, West Pointer's wear their class rings on the left hand as a rule - often with or without wedding rings. While not certainly a guarantee, other universities tend (though I'm sure not always) wear this type ring on the right finger. The almost visible engraving on the sides suggest a class ring over some type of jewelry signet ring. And the cavalry connection - with the embroidery insignia, especially the eagles that look almost bullion - smell of Old Army. As others also have stated. I guess I am only trying to say, don't limit yourself to SHAEF rosters; because it's equally likely - if not more - that he's serving in one of the later HQs. Nonetheless, if you want to try and ask some old SHAEF vets, they have a website: http://www.shaef.org/index.html

Well done Noor on tracing the history of another Irish soldier!

Ruhleben Ruhleben is a district of Berlin; it neighbors Spandau, a large garrison area. Also, there is a Ruhleben Kaserne - a naval barracks in northern Germany. It was a U-Boot base in WW2 and probably a barracks in 1926.

Just doing some web surfing and I've seen photos of colonels with Red Banner, Combat Service, and some campaign and jubilee medals. They almost always also had a Red Star. So, is it possible, this is a senior officer (COL or LTC) that received Red Banner as a bravery award? Possibly a Red Star that wouldn't show on the medal bar.

The reverse; note the screw post attachments. The disc nuts were missing (dealer promised to get me a pair).

Picked this up today at the Yerevan flea market; anything with the Caucasus medal gets my attention and the Red Banner made this one even more interesting. Unfortunately the medals are missing. I'm curious as to whether the Soviet experts here would assume the Red Banner was a post-war length of service award or could it really have been a war-time bravery award. Considering the lack of other wartime awards, I'm guessing the length of service award. Especially since the recipient had some police connection by the time the 50 Years of the Police Militia medal was issued in 1967. Thoughts on this bar...?

Wow, ironically, those are the colors of Armenia! And the ribbon of the Armenian Marshal Bagramyan Medal (albeit colors reversed in order). I wonder how an Azebaijani medal came to be on an Armenian ribbon. They aren't the best of friends, you know, because of Nagorno Karabakh.

Simply a perfect group. Congratulations on a great win. :beer:

Very nice. :catjava:

Stuart - thanks for the alert and discussion on a possible fake. While not my area of collecting, it's always good to keep aware of potential problems. Edited: Great diligence and responsible responses Stuart - you are a credit to the GMIC.