Bob

Appreciate your thoughts/feedback

And pure fate, luck, and some $$$ resulted in the above mentioned soviet cavalry sword recently becoming a part of my collection! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shashka Good thread as it does have a Khalkin Gol badge on the scabbard Am awaiting translation of what's engraved on the blade.

Just in, this large cloth ribbon bar with some ribbons which are leaving my puzzled (especially at the bottom)

These pics were of one floor in one wing. There much much more - in particular displays with uniforms and assorted items. Also outside all kinds of soviet era tanks etc.

Don't have much time so will just dump some pics in - focused on pics with lots of medals although the museum has a lot more (and barely no visitors!)

Sure, about to go on vacation but give me 1-2 weeks and I'll be loading lots more pics. The Zhivkov display... there were at least 10-20 more of those with same caliber of awards. Really a great museum and Sofia is a charming city so recommend it for a long weekend trip.

Example... part of Todor Zhivkov's awards... he was President of Bulgaria and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces from 71-89

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