IrishGunner

An interesting article. I have always thought about adding one of the London George V school medals to my WWI collection.

I lost an auction this weekend on a "periphery" medal. A medal for a member of the committee commemorating the 1814 Battle of North Point, Baltimore - which immediately preceded the attack on Fort McHenry resulting in the US National Anthem lyrics in the form of the poem by Francis Scott Key. The medal was from 1914 - the 100th anniversary of the battle and authorized the wearer to attend a reception. Since this year is the 200th anniversary, I thought it would be a great addition. There are some great periphery pieces out there.

Well, quite interesting indeed. Of course, I'm sure you have ample drawers for your drawers.

Brian, now that I have a "war room" in which to sit amidst my accumulated memories of others, I understand exactly what you mean. As I came to the end of your missive from The Home Office, I wasn't surprised you returned to the raven on the mantel of your chamber. Like you, we all wish, that the prophecy is "nevermore" war. Alas, like Poe's poem ends;

"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming."

So, is the specter of war still sitting, as the seeming of a demon that is dreaming, only to be awoken again when man forgets the memories of those that have gone to war before.

What does 'Fuss' mean . Mervyn

"Fuss-Artillerie" = "Foot Artillery" = Heavy Artillery (aka in Britain as Garrison Artillery)

Just looking in Cron... By the war's end, Germany had:

297 Feld-Artillerie regiments

16 Feld-Artillerie battalions

21 Feld-Artillerie batteries

62 Fuss-Artillerie regiments

230 Fuss-Artillerie battalions

65 Fuss-Artillerie batteries

This includes active, reserve, Landwehr, etc...

359 regiments total... Means with 117 regiments, in 5 years, I've collected 32.6%... 10 years to go.

I started out collecting Iron cross Documents... but there are simply too many... so i specialised on Infantry... still too many.... i am getting ready to cut away a loooot of dead wood, and at the end of the day, still dont know if i should collect ALL infantry... or just Active and reserve... tossing Landwehr, Landsturm etc....

I hear you. Even though I have not restricted the type of item from each regiment - I will take any item from a regiment - it still may be too much. But it gives some focus because before I was all over the place.

I still haven't convinced myself to get rid of non-artillery or even non-WWI stuff though. I put a few infantry post cards on eBay (thinking I'd cash in on the "stupid" prices for some photos lately), but you guys aren't buying. :-)

Great idea... I look forward to seeing a lot of different perspectives. I know British newspapers and the BBC have a lot already published. It hasn't kicked in yet here in the US. So, I hope our European members share what's in their news - then and now.

I propose we resurrect this one every month or so just to see how we're doing...

"Attention. Attention, citizens. Terrible news. There is still no sign of Santa Claus. Although the imposter has been shut down. It looks like Christmas will have to be cancelled this year. I repeat: The imposter has been shot down, but there is still no sign of the real Santa Claus..."

PS: Well done, Old Man. Well done. Now about that roast pheasant...

Nice bonus.

This is the first year in almost 16 that I haven't been with a few Russian colleagues - and WW2 vets - to share a few toasts on Victory Day. It's difficult to understand the impact that war had on Russia until you spend some time and a few vodkas with those veterans on a day like today.

Though I've been "inactive" for a few months, it's good to see things moving smoothly along.

Sounds like you made a great deal - all around. But I suggest "something nice" for your wife should be in the $600 range. Just in case...

Oh so true about buying/bidding when you see it and not waiting for the "right" moment. The stories we all could tell would be a blog all it's own. Better luck next time.

My condolences for the loss of your friend. Suicide is always such a sad cause.

I have only a couple very minor documents to contribute to such a project, but on the surface it sounds like a fantastic idea and I would suspect garner a lot of interest at GMIC.

Must be missing something because I don't see a Chat Tab.

But I did find it listed like a sub-forum at the bottom of the page. Nice that you can also open it in a separate window.

I love the coincidence's of life. One of our best memories of touring England the first time - it was 1992 - was staying at a B&B in your old neighborhood of Bexley. I will have to ask my wife if she recalls the name, but it was a wonderful two day stay with a very nice older lady. I recall the wonderful farm countryside.

Greg, just looking through your USSR gallery. Are these scans or photos? How did you do the different color backgrounds? Well done.

Are sure you aren't a published author in the "suspense" genre? Come on, man, out with it!

Here in NOVA, we have to add flash flood warnings to the traffic reports. I have to cross one very low bridge on my way home - wondering what day this week it will be closed due to flooding.

The American military is frequently called out by Europeans for having too many medals. On the other hand, I always found it ironic that soldiers in monarchies have few medals to mark the milestones in their personal careers, but there are plenty allow to mark royal milestones.

Frank, like many things, I think collecting fields are highly influenced by marketing - as in advertising and promotion. Soviet ODMs were highly marketed - and still are to some degree. It's the same with the major combatants of both WWI and WW2 - high degree of information and promotion. Your new area - Russian Federation - is suffering from a lack of exposure. One could say the same thing for ODMs for all the former Communist states. Of course, Russia is the largest, but until the marketing craze kicks in, there will simply be a lack of interest except among true collectors like yourself.

I think a big reason for the lack of exposure is also the lack of wartime service; Russia has a few decorations associated with the Caucasus, but that's about it; until there is a conflict that makes the medals more desirable, they will probably languish on the sidelines.

Hmmm...

I'll admit, this feature has my curiosity.