IrishGunner

Thanks guys! Not a bad pick up then for less than $25 including shipping. Now I wonder if I should (or can) replace missing pip.

Thanks Chris, I thought you were referring to ArmeeKorps colors, but wasn't sure...

A D-Day MOH. Quote from the article: "I got all 12 of my men off the beach without a casualty, which was the best thing I ever did in my life," he once told the Orange County Register. That says it all.

The photo of the Main Gate; in the early 80s, I spent many long boring nights as the battalion duty officer in the Guard House to the right. My battery was located on McNair Barracks, but my battalion HQ was on Andrews. The large building back behind the gate - there used to be a Burger Bar on the first floor and an EM club upstairs. A long way from what the Prussians or the SS probably used the building for... I remember the plaque you mention. But I never heard the Eternal Corporal statue story. Oh, and if the picture were reversed...going out the gate...there was a great imbiss across the street.

Andy, thanks! So, this strap dates some time between 1902 until what date? Did they change to red at some later point?

I hope so too. Though it is too tatty ... missing a pip and moth damage ... to be made-up I think. What do you mean by "early war AK"?

This came up for auction a week or so ago. At the time, I found the crossed cannons interesting because I had not seen those type before. I asked Chip for some advice and he told me that the "crossed cannon barrels normally indicate an official of the Technische Institut der Artillerie. The board underlay for such an official is carmine red (karmesinrot)." We were both confused by the blue underlay. So, I put a bid in for around $20 bucks and surprisingly, I won the auction. So, for $20 bucks we get to kick this around and hopefully someone can give some more information in what type artillery unit this Hauptmann would have served. (The auction called it a Leutnant, but it's easy to see there is a missing pip.) Comments/thoughts? (The photo is the seller's...my Epson scanner is on sabbatical since I had scanner driver conflicts that remain unresolved.)

I find it amazing there are only two left flying. But that's true of so many historic machines. One would think that at the end of the war, there would have been foresight to keep several of various aircraft and vehicles.

With the bump, maybe Captain Albert will see this... This is right up his ladder.

Nice that it all came to together finally... These Pakistan medals are interesting. I've found myself contemplating acquiring some... But then I remind myself that they aren't WWI artillery and to stay "focused"...

#15 is an attractive medal. Any idea how many were awarded by the Exile Govt?

You're welcome. Unfortunately, I can't help with age. Your's looks like it has a few years patina.

Österreichische Sport- und Turnabzeichen (Austrian Sport and Gymnastics Badge) from the Ministry of Sport Official webpage: http://www.oesta.at/de/menu_main/das-abzeichen It's in German; but if you need a translation - you can open it in Google Chrome and get a good translation.

I'm in the middle of Michael Howard's "The Franco-Prussian War" and he is very critical of command on both sides, but especially of the French. Essentially, his theme is that French commanders repeatedly snatched defeat from potential victory. If French commanders hadn't been so operational incompetent, indifferent, and timid they could have taken advantage of German mistakes. For the German side, their biggest advantage according to Howard seemed to be luck and Moltke's ability to improvise despite the insubordination of some commanders and the recklessness of others. Rather than being a study in strategic and operational command, Howard portrays leadership in the war - on both sides - as a tragic comedy of errors. I have not read other works on the Franco-Prussian War; how does this compare to anything other members have read?

It pays to search old topics. I'm contemplating an article on artillery in the Franco-Prussian War and this is a great find. Thanks, Hardy!

Things that make you go... "Hmmm..."

How about that, I thought they were black and white. Never knew they were red and green.

Great idea! You da man.

According to wiki: USS HANCOCK on patrol off Vietnam - Nov 64 - Spring 65 Nov 65 - Aug 66 Early 67 - Jul 67 68 onward it isn't very specific; but from what it does say, the HANCOCK never spent a whole year on station. Looks like multiple deployments of several months to me...

I would have thought it would depend on how long the ship was on station in waters supporting combat operations. Deployments for ships are usually less than a year before returning to home port. If you look up the history of the HANCOCK, that might give you some idea of how long she was on station off Vietnam. Maybe our swabbies will chime in soon...

Somehow related to this guy: V.Feldwbl. Linck Wilh 2./180 I. Rgt. Mentioned in one of your threads: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/60771-rir-180/#entry571331