Bob

Note, the museum contains a separate section with decorations given to former Bulgarian heads of state. Very very impressive! It also has a room which documents all Bulgarian ODM - also impressive! Outside it also has a display of tanks, fighter jets, etc. Overall a very pleasurable museum.

Visited the highly recommend National Museum of Military History in Sofia - especially rich in uniforms and orders/medals - and saw among many other impressive groups the following one. Nice group, incl of course the SB order!

The armored vehicle (apparently a French one, go figure) was not in horrible condition - could use a paint job though. I was surprised how 'understated' the Khasan Battle is in terms of lack of monuments, museums, and general communication (e.g. to tourists visiting Vladivostok). You really have to be motivated and go out of your way to visit the place - a day trip (with lots of driving) would be fine. By the way, the picture of the bridge is the bridge in Khasan village from Russia to DPRK. The little wood house for high officials to meet is right in front of that bridge. I was surprised to see almost no guards there... but was told that there are many 'eyes' watching nonetheless.

double post

It took me a few years longer than expected, but finally visited... 4 hour drive from vladivostok to get there, on a bad road with some stretches, various little monuments on the way, key is visiting the rail way station (i can tell more about that offline) it is possible to get close to the DPRK border where there is a small wooden hut where Kim Jong Il would meet high ranking Russians for negotiations as he did not like traveling too far also, in a school, there is a 1 room khasan museum

Some pics of the huge War Museum... pics inside I only gut buy taking pics of a magazine... while visiting Khasan railway station where Korean magazines were laying around - one of those pics actually is of the long hallway with heroes... including names, bios and also some hero stars

Here the Korean War heroes cemetery - wasn't able to get closer...

Here the martyr's cemetery overlooking the mausoleum

Here pics of the mausoleum and the front entrance gate with marshall star motif

I returned from a trip to DPRK earlier in April and will be posting some pics which are relevant for orders/medals collectors and DPRK enthusiasts - related to two "heroes cemeteries", Kim Il Sung / Kim Jong Il's mausoleum and the big War Museum. I also spent time in Vladivostok afterwards incl. a side trip to the Lake Khasan area to visit the battle related sites and the border with DPRK there. More on that in a separate post. First (and the pics will follow separately as they are on a different PC)... it was interesting to spot two major cemeteries in Pyong Yang whereas I was expecting to see only the Revolutionary Martyr's Cemetery which is on a hill overlooking the mausoleum of the two Kims. This cemetery has the graves (incl. bustes) of 155 Hero's which took part in the liberation war against Japam- 140 'regular' ones and a further 15 'special' ones. Some of these heroes also have their wives included in their grave. Secondly, to my surprise, by coincidence we drove by a cemetery full of heroes related to the Korean War (1950-53). Roughly 500 graves there. I have less pictures of this second one as it was not on my official itinerary and more a spontaneous "let's look at that" idea when driving by and it made my guides rather nervous... I also visited the Mausoleum for the two Kim's - it used to be their working office (a HUGE office) on the outskirts of Pyong Yang but was converted to a mausoleum. One is expected to dress up (tie) when visiting and no pics are allowed inside. Extensive security and hygiene (!) measures throughout... incl walking through airvents which blown away all the dust from you before entering the rooms where the two Kim's are laying. Also requires an endless line of walkways, stairs, etc. before actually seeing them. There were some other rooms which also showed their train carriage, Mercedes, etc. but what was MOST interesting was the room each had which displayed all of their orders/medals. No pics allowed and forced to move on so no possibility to make notes but a few from memory: - Kim Il Sung: 3 regular hero titles + 1 hero of labour... he also had 2 Mongolian Sukh Baatar orders... one in a normal red box and one an an oversized green velvet box (was custom fitted) - Kim Jong Il: no Mongolian awards but 4 regular DPRK hero titles The War Museum was extremely impressive and unfortunately my tour did not have enough time planned in to see it entirely. Also, no pics allowed. There was a gallery with names and details of various DPRK hero title awardees incl. a double hero who had shot down many airplanes using an improvised anti aircraft gun. There were also 10 Koreans who were made a hero for their fighting against the US in the Vietnam war - it seemed like they were all fighter pilots. The USS Pueblo is also part of the War Museum and worth a visit. You can even get a tour from one of the Koreans who attacked/boarded the USS Pueblo. pics to follow shortly

Anybody here ever visit this museum? Any feedback appreciated (especially in terms of relevance for Mongolia orders/medals). http://www.chinamuseums.com/inner.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_Mongolia_Museum

Here an election poster for the Great Hural... with a nice communist style bio of a hero of the revolution. The original of such posters are A3 in b/w. ============================== Damdiny Sodnomdarjaa Damdiny Sodnomdarjaa was born at Bagh #6 of Choibalsan soum of Choibalsan province in 1895. Prior to the People’s revolution, comrade Sodnomdarjaa had no political rights and he was suffering from the harsh oppression of the external invaders and internal feudals. At that time, he has been looking for ways to eliminate this oppression. The Mongolian people rose against the oppressors in 1921 under the influence of the victory of the Great October revolution led by Lenin and Stalin. In 1921, comrade Sodnomdarjaa enlisted voluntarily to the partisan formations of our great leaders Sukhbaatar and Choibalsan. From the very first day of the revolution, he has been steadfastly and actively taking part in the sacred struggle for liberating our people and Motherland from the external and internal oppressors. In 1921, comrade Sodnomdarjaa became the platoon commander of the Mongolian revolutionary army. In recognition of partisan Sodnomdarjaa’s selfless heroism and feats for ensuring victory of the People’s revolution and defending its achievements, the People’s Government of Mongolia awarded him with the Order of the Red Banner of Combat Valor, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor Valor, the Order of the Polar Star and four medals. Comrade Sodnomdarjaa was also awarded the Soviet Order of the Red Banner for his feats in defeating the White Guard forces that tried to occupy our Motherland under the covert guidance and support from Japanese imperialists. Comrade Sodnomdarjaa directly participated in the operation to eliminate pillager monk Dambiijantsan who conducted anti-revolutionary activities in Western Mongolia. Comrade partisan Sodnomdarjaa exerted all his efforts towards developing our beloved Motherland and he has been fulfilling his obligations before the nation and the people with honors for the last three decades. Partisan Sodnomdarjaa enrolled Choibalsan’s Revolutionary Youth League in July 1921 and was admitted to the ranks of the beloved Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) in 1927. Comrade Sodnomdarjaa’s entire life is linked with the MPRP and he has been carrying his sacred obligation of the party member at high level. Comrade Sodnomdarjaa has been heading military cart factory since 1945. The cart factory under the management of Sodnomdarjaa fulfilled 5-year production plan within the first three years and has overfilled the quota by 30-46 percent. Damdiny Sodnomdarjaa has been elected to the 9th Congress of the Mongolian People’s Republic and was elected as the member of the State Small Khural in 1949. Up to now, comrade Sodnomdarjaa in his capacity as the member of the State Small Khural has been fulfilling his obligations in exemplary manner and is actively participating in the public activities. Partisan Sodnomdarjaa is one of our outstanding people and for that he has been recommended as the candidate for the deputy of the State Great Khural by the citizens of Tumendelger soum. Dear voters! Let’s vote for Comrade Sodnomdarjaa who proved his capacity to fulfill the tasks of the voters by his exemplary labor records.

An interesting bit of history (a form of marketing from a time and place where I was not expecting this) - a bio of General Jamyan from the 1951 pre-"election" campaign for the People's Great Hural (Communist parliament). Compared to the later bios, this one gives more details on what he has been doing until he joined the army. A scan of the poster (original b&w A3 size) is also attached. ============================== Jambyn Jamyan Photo of Jamyan Jambyn Jamyan was born at Bagh #5 of Buyant soum of Hovd province in 1916. Jamyan’s parents were poor herders and Jamyan lived in poverty prior to the People’s revolution. Jamyan lived with his parents until the age of eleven. Since then and until the age of 18, he worked as a messenger for the local postal service and also led the camel trade caravans. From the age of 18, he worked as the salesman of the first people’s store and later he became the Mongolian language teacher. Comrade Jamyan enrolled the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party in 1941. Since 1935, Jamyan has been serving for the Mongolian Armed Forces. He has particularly contributed to the cause of strengthening border security of our Motherland and the matter of upbringing and training our border guards. Comrade Jamyan studied at the Central school of Ministry of Internal Affairs in Ulaanbaatar from 1936-1938 and also studied at the Soviet Border Guards School from 1938-1940. After returning from the Soviet Union, Jamyan served as the Chief of the Human Resource Division of the Border Guards Department from 1940-1945. From 1945-1948, comrade Jamyan studied at the Soviet Military Academy and since his graduation, he has been working as the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs in charge of military matters. Jamyan, brought up by our revolutionary army, is one of our outstanding comrades. He has devoted all his strength to the revolutionary military service. Comrade Jamyan was decorated several times with orders and medals of the MPR. The border guards of Ovoot border guard unit and herders of Bagh #6 of Noyon soum put forward comrade Jamyan as the candidate to the election of People’s Great Hural. Dear comrades! Let’s vote for the candidate colonel Jambyn Jamyan! Let’s vote for comrade Jamyan recommended by the members and non-members of MPRP.

More on Purevjal Apparently he was born in 1907 and was a native of Bulgan province. Registry of awardees compiled by Presidium of State Small Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic (1926-1939) # 256 257 Full Name of the awardee Jamsran Gombosuren Baatar Purevjal Age 46 32 Social Status Herder/Halha Herder/Halha Gender Male Male Residence Address Arhangai province, Undur Ulaan county, Bagh#5 Bulgan province, Namnan county, Bagh#5 Occupation Inspector of Education Division of the City Administration Office Technician of Mongolian Air Force Order of the Red Banner of Combat Valor - - 2nd award - - 3rd award - - 4th award - - Order of Industrial Valor 1 1 Order of the Polar Star - - Date of the award 10.07.1936 31.03.1936 Photo And... a pic!

Also note post nr 90: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/36164-1920s-order-of-the-red-banner/page-5?hl=luvsanperenlei#entry583947 The decree awarding Luvsanperenlei the Order of Combat Valor

Translation of Luvsanperenlei's bio from the 3-part Partisan biography book - a modest description when you consider the historical events he was involved in! ============================================================== Yondon Luvsanperenlei (1899-1978) He was born at a place called Zuuht Bor Toirom of Arjargalant soum of Dornod province. Luvsanperenlei was a servant herder in his youth years. He also served a military service for the Bogdkhaan’s Army and was stationed with a military unit in Dariganga. He voluntarily joined People’s Army in 1921 and took part in the military campaign against Chinese invaders and Russian “White Guards†forces in eastern Mongolia. He continued his military service with the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs after the revolution. He is a member of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party since 1924. At the beginning of 1921, I was conscripted to the Bogdkhaan’s Army and sent to Dariganga region along with other ten new conscripts. We were stationed at the place called Hundlun Bor river. Our military unit was quite a large one. The Count Undur Dugarjav was the commander of the unit. However we were equipped with outdated rifles. We received some military and physical training there. At the end of 1921, Count Undur Dugarjav returned to the capital and the Count Gombo-Idshin took over the command. At the same time, Minister of Eastern Mongolia Magsarhurts Dugarjav and Commander Gonchig Bumtsend arrived to our base with their troops. Our unit joined their troops and we fought against the Russian “White Guards†forces and pro-Chinese tsahar Jodov’s troops. Our unit pursued the Russian “White Guards†forces of Baron Ungern and traitor Naidan units at places like Moltsog sands, Badam-ishii steppe and Enger hashaat steppe. We engaged in numerous skirmishes and combats there. One by one, we forced the enemy units to surrender and give up their weapons. After defeating the enemies, the troops from the capital left us and we returned to our previous base in Dariganga.

And finally... translation pending

Here a group of documents that belonged to a partisan of the 1921 revolution called Yondon Luvsanperenlei. The group consists of 10 documents: 1. 1950s red covered partisan’s certificate. The page with the name of the partisan and other details are well preserved but unfortunately the front page with the photo is missing. Other pages including the partisan’s privileges and rules are present. The documented is dated 1958 and has some personal notes on the inside of the cover dated 1979. 2. Red covered soum (Batsumber county of Tuv aimag) people's deputy ID card. It depicts the photo of Luvsanperenlei wearing military officer's uniform with the ribbons of awards on his left chest. Dated 1967. 3. Red covered soum (Batsumber county of Tuv aimag) people's deputy ID card which depicts him on a photo wearing his military officer's uniform with the orders and medals on his chest. Dated 1969 4. Brown covered document of the retired officer of the Military and Public Security Ministry issued in 1959. The document depicts the photo of him with ribbons of awards on his chest. It states that Captain Luvsanperenlei worked for the Border guard and Public security division as Chief of Border guard outpost and Chief of Fire brigade unit since 1921 and retired in 1954. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-679-0-80188800-1424375865.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-679-0-18758300-1424375872.jpg 5. Blue covered document of the member of the fire-fighting and prevention group. Issued by the Department of the Fire-fighting. Dated 1966. The doc also has his photo and notably his partisan badge is clearly visible under the award ribbons. 6. Blue covered document certifying that partisan, worker of Batsumber Agricultural Farm and Member of Socialist Labor Brigade Yondon Luvsanperenlei is Honorary pioneer member of high school of Hujirt soum of Uvurhangai province. Signed by the Director and Principal of the school. This document was probably originally printed for awarding the honor students but was converted to this purpose by the school administration. The depiction of the badge of the Excellent student was scratched off of the front cover. 7. Large red-covered document of the Honorary Pioneer of Uvurhangai province (#1). Registered as Honorary Pioneer of the province by Pioneer Committee of the same province on January 10, 1974. 8. Red covered (gold lettered) ID card of employee of the Department of Police (#21) that belonged to Luvsanperenlei. The ID card is prolonged from 1975 till the end of 1977. The bearer’s photo is removed. 9. Red covered certificate of the member of the Socialist Labor Brigade and the Bearer of the badge (#58). The document is issued by the trade Union Committee and Revolutionary Youth Committee of Tuv province. 10. Last but not least is his document of the Medal of 25th anniversary of revolution for the medal with serial number 9307. Unfortunately, no orders, medals or badges came with this group but the pic's indicate this partisan has been awarded the Order of Sukhbaatar, the Order of Red Banner of Combat valor, two Orders of Combat Valor, two Honorary Medals of Combat, Halhin gol badge, Badge of 15th anniversary of revolution and other anniversary medals. From the timing of the documents it appears he was awarded the Order of Sukhbaatar by 1959 which is relatively early - proof that he was a "weighty" guy among the partisans. Will also be posting pics of his description in the 3 part Partisans book and eventually a translation.

Awaiting more info and will post detailed scans of the document once it arrives. A bit more on Purevjal: A book on the Mongolian Airforce has his name without the first name. Apparently he was sent with a group of planes to Western Mongolia to fight the Kazakh invaders in 1935. Purevjal may have died at the end of 1939/early 1940. This is not (yet) confirmed though without reliable documents. The fact is though that his order certificate has not been replaced with later type common Order and Medal Booklet and absence of his first name supports that conclusion. But again, no documents to prove that (sofar).

And here a translation of the ukaz on awarding Purevjal for his role in the border conflict in 1936. It appears that aviation and artillery played a key role in the success of the conflict. Purevjal's skills were probably very important in ensuring the smooth operation of the fighter and bomber planes that strafed and bombed the Japanese. For sure there were other technicians, including Soviet and Mongolian and also other rear supply people but only Purevjal was awarded the order. That says a lot about his efforts. ================================================================= March 31, 1936 Decree #11 of the Presidium of State Small Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic Commander of the Mongolian Armed Forces and Minister of Military Ministry Marshal Demid reported that a group of 200 Japanese and Manju military personnel armed with heavy and light machine guns crossed the border of the Mongolian People’s Republic on 8 trucks and subsequently attacked the border guard outpost stationed at Adag Dulaan. Our brave soldiers, commanders and political commissars successfully repelled the attacks of the enemy forces and inflicted heavy casualties to their personnel and vehicles. As a result of skillful and brave actions of our soldiers, some enemy officers and their vehicles were captured and the remnants of the enemy were forced to retreat to their territory. The actions of pilot Jamba, navigator Lhamsuren, pilot Demberel, navigator Dorj, commander of the outpost Sanjaa, plane technician comrade Purevjal greatly contributed to the success of combat operation and therefore, the above brave comrades are recommended to be awarded with the Orders of the Red Banner of Military Valor and the Order of the Industrial Valor. Pilot Jamba, navigator Lhamsuren, pilot Demberel, navigator Dorj, commander of the outpost Sanjaa, plane technician comrade Purevjal and other 25 commanders and soldiers displayed bravery and heroism in the battle against the Japanese and Manju invading forces. Our brave comrades inflicted heavy losses and casualties to the enemy invaders and proved that Mongolian Revolutionary Army can defend its nation from the aggressions of foreign enemies. Having reviewed the recommendations, the Presidium of State Small Khural of the Mongolian People’s Republic decrees to award the second Orders of the Red Banner of Military Valor to pilot Jamba and pilot Demberel, the first Orders of the Red Banner of Military Valor to navigator Lhamsuren, commander of the Adag Dulaan outpost Sanjaa and navigator Dorj and the Order of Industrial Valor to plane technician Purevjal. The recommendations of other soldiers and commanders who distinguished themselves during this battle have to be received and reviewed by the Military Ministry and the ministry is authorized to bestow the awards. Chairman of the Presidium of State Small Khural (hand-signed) Dogsom Member and the Secretary of the Presidium of State Small Khural (hand-signed) Surahbayar

Eagerly awaiting for a 'new' document to arrive in the mail. It is a rare document... an order certificate that was in use for roughly a year and half (from early 1939 to till 1941) - a transition period certificate and hence rare and not illustrated in the well known books. This certificate was issued to all participants of the Khalkhingol war who were awarded any of the three orders for their feats. Also, the government issued this certificate to some surviving awardees of orders by 1939 and those who were awarded from early 1939 till 1941. The certificate was replaced by red hard-cover Order and Medal Booklets (known as 1940 type) and the paperback certificate was withdrawn from the awardees (as it happened with the 1926 and 1931 type ORBCV, OIV and OPS). The specimen coming my way was issued to Comrade Purevjal who was awarded the Order of Industrial Valor for his participation in the border conflict in Eastern Mongolia on March 31, 1936. The date of issue is March 14, 1939. I have already received some research information on this incident and a copy of the ukaz listing all awardees. Purevjal's name is among the awardees. For some reason, the name of order was entered incorrectly on the certificate. It shows his name and date of award correctly but the name of award is entered as "Military Valor Order" whereas it should be "Industrial Valor". The document has serial number 255 and is hand signed by Chairman of Presidium of State Small Khural Dogsom and Secretary Damdinsuren. Both of these comrades were purged. Dogsom was arrested in July 1939 and was executed by Soviet NKVD in USSR in July 1941. The hand written text reads "Purevjal is awarded for his honest service and active participation in the cause of defending the borders from the military invaders and defeating them". The incident took place at Buir Lake (Khalkhin gol area) near the border outpost on March 29 and 31, 1936. The Mongolian border guards clashed with Japanese forces on March 29 and additional Mongolian and Soviet troops were deployed to force the Japanese out of Mongolian territory. The conflict employed light tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, machine guns and fighter planes. Soviet and Mongolian fighter planes took part in the conflict and comrade Purevjal was one of few Mongolian technicians who served the fighter planes. And the only one awarded the order. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-679-0-05529100-1423277143.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-679-0-92954100-1423277146.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-679-0-39709200-1423277150.jpg

Here's a pic I found online - let's see what response comes from the experts on this one

There was one sold over at emedals.com a year or two ago for 1100 USD - wrong ribbon http://www.emedals.com/collectors-gallery/europe/albania/order-of-bravery-1928