Bob

I visited the War Museum while in London last week. There was one room full of victoria crosses etc.... thought I'd highlight one group here

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090725/ap_on_..._gandhi_prize_4 "the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India. Most of the money has gone to prevent AIDS and eradicate polio." Your friends Xbox problem sounds a bit trivial to me and certainly not relating to peace, disarmament or development. Gates is a force for good in this world, wish there'd be more Bill Gates'es

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090725/ts_af..._20090725140234 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Gandhi_Prize An ultra rare award!

I posted a doc I have on GMIC as well - it was an award to a Belarussian person and it did come with a photograph in the booklet. Don't have the link, but it's there:) Perhaps you could also post in the thread in support of a DPRK forum?

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246994182.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246994194.jpg Here in brass

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993976.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993992.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinda_Province "Cabinda (also spelled Kabinda) is an exclave and province of Angola, a status that has been disputed by many political organizations in the territory." The exclave is located in Congo, just north of Angola. "While the Angolan Civil War largely ended in 2002, an armed struggle persists in the exclave of Cabinda, where some of the factions have proclaimed an independent Republic of Cabinda, with offices in Paris. The Treaty of Simulambuco establishes in Cabinda a Protectorate of Portugal and a number of Cabindan independence movements consider the occupation of the territory by Angola illegal." What's it all about (if you're cynical): oil... there's lots of it in Cabinda! So... there's a medal for FLEC - the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_for_the...lave_of_Cabinda The Cabindan's didn't accept communism / marxism and declared independence in 1975 and 5.000 guerilla's fought for independence against the MPLA (of Angola) which also contained 2000 "foreign" (Soviet/Cuban) fighters. The Military Medal of Cabinda has been manufactured in a run of 500 by Paul Kramer in Neuchatel in Switzerland. It's awarded immediately during combat, without a diploma or other document. Four foreigners have received this medal and they did receive a document certifying so. The medal is 45mm in diameter, in bronze. The ribbon is 35mm and represents the colors of the Cabindan flag. This is the only Cabindan medal. I'll post scans a bit later this evening... going for a run first :cheers:

Maybe he did and nothing came out? http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=21216 Similar disclaimer here...

http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=21211 an interesting documented group!

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090701/tuk-qu...al-dba1618.html

Contacted the national archives, and a few weeks later I got the following response (for what it's worth): "...we have been unsuccessful in identifying any records related to the medal with no. 164. In order to continue the research, it is that you indicate the person the medal was awarded to and when it was awarded(the year)." Unfortunately I do not have the name / year :banger:

Wow - that's awfully close to the 252 numbered document up higher Very nice :jumping:

Just received another honorary badge but nr 491 (rotating engravement). I suspect the suspension may be wrong though... it actually is different in shape. What is interesting is a small mark on it... an M with a W below, and then MET.

Done, but don't believe it gives much detailed info.

Here's a document... J?ger Schott des bayrischen J?ger Regiment 15

Speaking of the 15th, will be posting the Tamara award doc for J?ger Schott des bayrischen J?ger Regiment 15 which i won at a German auction. any possibility of learning more about who this was?

one for sale on zeige now

Not sure - sometimes i lose track of what i bid where. I did put a bid in and 1400 sounds like it might have me winning. Will wait and see what i get in my mail.

Hi Ed, i didn't receive your email. The internet gods must be playing tricks.

On nr 99, seller just confirmed it's a quality fake

There's a numbered one (no 10) on paretski's site. The price was a bit of a shocker though. Almost 13k (no, not dollars...)

I've always wondered, was there any real practical point towards these batons? I can only imagine it being annoying to walk around with such a "stick" on one hand all day. Any thoughts?