Hauptmann

Hi all, Well, not so much a collection... yet! But hoping I'll be able to start adding pieces over time. So in that spirit... here's my one and only Mongolian piece in the hope that it'll get things moving: I've loved Mongolian awards for quite some time. Beautiful enamels and terrific designs. Sadly prices went up before I could dig in... but I'm still looking for deals and as I say hoping to continue to add to this thread over time. And yes, I plan to buy Dr. Battushig's book as soon as I can.

Hi Jim, As in tests in school, often guesswork pays off! As to the questions... and speaking only for me of course, I love seeing difficult ones as they help to keep us learning new things... but the occassional set of easier ones are nice as well. I for one have never traveled in Europe, am not fluent in any other languages, although I have taken German and French and can manage by hook or by crook. So I'm not able to read many of the references and books that some others can, nor have I visited many of the places others have been. So it's either the web or things that have been available in English, either books, documentaries, movies, etc., that help me out in these. Well, that and my education here at the University of GMIC. And I must admit that I've learned quite a bit on the last few questions... although that last one was soooooo frustrating. I had the person and his dates... just not the eye for sure... but knew it was him. Of course without all the info I couldn't answer the question. But I got to ask the next one anyway (many thanks to Christian! ) so all worked out. But still hoping to get more over time. Again just my two cents worth. Dan

Hi Jim, WOW... you are good! I'd hoped this would be a bit easier than the last few as I felt we needed a bit of a break... but didn't think it would go quite that quick. Congratulations on all points! Here's a link to an article with more information: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN Go down just a bit to the article "On The Phone" and then click on "writes" in the body of the text and it will take you to the full article with more pics, etc. Hoping it works okay for everyone. So back to you! Great job! Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks my friend and congratulations! Now that Jim has confirmed your hard earned victory I'll run with it per your request. I was a gift. What am I? Who was I given to, by whom, in what year and on what occassion? Good luck! Dan

I love the Order of the Red Banner on this one... just had to have it. Would be most grateful for a translation and any further info on this one. Dan

Hi all, My latest... a small banner from Paul Schmitt. Pics are his and used with his permission. Many thanks Paul!

Hi all, First off... don't be hesitant about posting that last one WC... I think it's neat! Interesting history and one of those "if only it could talk" pieces. Nothing in the world wrong with that. I enjoyed seeing it. Thanks for sharing! Secondly... they're breeding again. Here's my latest additions. First one off Ebay... complete 85 2nd class set of original box, OGPW 2nd and award booklet all matching: Sellers pic... will do better scans and pop on when I get a chance. And this one, although not a matched set... another 85 2nd class where the number was scratched out... but they didn't do a good job and it's still completely visible. Got this from Paul Schmitt and the pic is his used with his permission. Thanks Paul! I'll have to do up scans of this one, front and back and pop on along with the one above. The award booklet sadly does not match... it's for a different number but was included with this OGPW. Dan

Got it a short while back from Paul Schmitt. The pics are his and used with his permission. Many thanks Paul! Note it has a crack which Paul believes happened due to the size and weight of the medal when it was struck. Still a nice piece though and goes well with the rest of my DDR collection. Wish I had the case for it... if it was originally issued in one. Dan

Hi all, Here's my one addition to this thread... so far:

Hi Gordon, Many thanks for the additional info on these and the pics as well. I love the color representation of the badge... very nice! Just out of curiosity... was there any documentation given with the presentation sets when they were given to whatever higher up received them? I don't know a ton on the history behind them... just what has been posted on them in the Hungarian section so far. Dan

Vic, Bryan... great passports!!!! Keep up the great work! Dan

Great one Vic! Keep up the good work!!!! You're going to be document king before long! Dan

Hi Jim, I believe we have a winner. A couple of points though from my reading of the article: How did my helping him help save me later... and from what? After the collapse of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in April 1920, Rasulzade left Baku and went into hiding in the mountainous village of Lahij to direct the resistance to Sovietization, but in August 1920, after Soviet Russian army crashed the rebellions of Ganja, Karabakh, Zagatala and Lankaran, lead by ex-officers of the Azerbaijani National Army, Rasulzade was arrested and brought to Baku. It was only due to his earlier rescue of Joseph Stalin in 1905, that Rasulzade was released and transferred from Azerbaijan to Russia. For the next two years, Rasulzade worked as the press representative at the Commissariat on Nations in Moscow. He was seconded to Saint Petersburg in 1922 from where he escaped to Finland. and: I could be called a founder... name some things I founded or helped to found. In 1904 he founded the first muslim social-democrat organisation "Hummet" and became editor-in-chief of its newspapers, "Tekam?l"(1906-1907) and "Yoldaş"(1907). Rasulzade also initiated the establishment of Baku State University together with Rashid khan Kaplanov, minister of education with the funding of oil baron Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev in 1919. Rasulzade taught Ottoman literature at the University. He was an Azerbaijani statesman, scholar, public figure and one of the founding political leaders of Azerbaijan Republic (1918-1920). Again just my slant on having read the article... which I would highly recommend doing. It's very interesting and again this was an individual who was involved with history we were all familiar with (As far as Stalin and the Bolsheviks) but I'd never heard of him before. Had it not been for my research into the past question I would most likely never have discovered or learned anything about him. Yet again one of the great things about this quiz and about GMIC! So Jim... you are the official winner. Congratulations on a job well done!!!! I pass the baton to you. Dan

Hi Christian, Actually it's not necessarily my definition... but the site I found the info on. Some more clues. The "Stalin" incident happened in 1905. He lived most of his final years in exile as his presence in those places where he'd been involved politically would have been too sensitive. He died in 1955. Hope this helps... but not "too" much. Dan

Hi all, Let me know if ya'll need more hints. I'm all for making ya'll work for it but not for driving anyone insane! Dan

Hi Christian, Many thanks my friend! Wow, a shooting "star" you say... guess I definitely fit into Soviet collecting then. And yes... although not sure how much play it may or may not have had in his bio's but I'd certainly hope it was mentioned. It's out on the web at the very least. Hope I didn't come up with one that's too hard. I'd definitely want someone to get it... but definitely want some thrill in the chase. In fact... not even sure what happens if a question can't be answered. Ya'll will have to fill me in on that should the occassion arrise. Best of luck!!!! D

Hi Christian, Sorry... just got home from work a few minutes ago. Yes, many apologies. Did this right before I headed to work and it is indeed a type error. And yes, it is Stalin. Dan

Hi Christophe, Many thanks! I know everyone went nuts with this one... because I did too! But that's a good thing because I'm sure, like I did, we've all learned new things in the process. It's just like my current question... this is someone I did not know about till researching Charle's question. We're all so familiar with the big names of Soviet and Soviet block history, but not so much those lesser known individuals. This is an excellent way to learn new things and bring some of those figures out of the misty corners of history. Plus, at least this time it helped me to be prepared and have a question ready to go instead of having to come up with something. My biggest worry is that I'm going to ask something that's either been asked before or is far too easy. I know everyone likes a challenge... as painful as that can be so hoping this one does the trick. Good luck!!!! Dan

Hi all, Well, looks like I'm back in the drivers seat again. I'm going to try one this time and hope I can do almost as well as Charles. Great job my friend! You kept us all going and I for one have learned about things I never would have otherwise (and no... not leather or boys! ). In fact... I ran into the idea for my next question while searching for this last one. Who was I? I'm was not a Russian but I've been involved with Russians... and in fact was a Bolshevik. I helped a man of steal in a great way and having done that later helped save me. I was a writer, playwrite, revolutionary, statesman. At one point in my career I was involved with youth. When I died, I died a broken man. So the questions are: Who was I? What was my involvement with youth? Who did I help and how? How did my helping him help save me later... and from what? I could be called a founder... name some things I founded or helped to found. When did I die? Where am I buried? And a couple of bonus questions: What expression of mine became the motto of a movement? Name one of my plays. Good luck to all! Dan

Hi Charles, Was it Cserny J?zsef? Dan

Hi Vince, Thought I'd pop in here. I've dealt for years with Boyan Savov (goes by BOU on Ebay). I'll PM you with his site link. He specializes in Bulgarian but does carry some other countries militaria as well. He may either have or could possibly get you what you need but no idea what it would run. As with most such countries militaria Bulgarian has gone up over the last few years... and I believe this is especially the case with WWII items. Anyhow hope this helps. Dan

Hi all, Just found these shots of Mr. B. wearing his OoV: Dan

Hi all, Here's my latest... fresh off Ebay today... to go with the above two presentation sets: (Sellers photo) Charles said this about it: Given to special soldiers who qualified for the local, regional competitions as well as being the excelent company leader. Not too common, but it did happen. From the 1970's. Dan

Kiril Mazurov? Dan

Hi Paul, I just tried it again and made sure... it's still coming up for me. I use Internet Explorer as my browser... don't know if you use a different browser and perhaps that's causing a problem or what. It's on MSN videos which I pulled up through the www.msn.com news page. It should come up with a page titled: What's Hot > Viral Videos > Editor's Picks : 73view which has multiple videos/pics on the page. If the movie doesn't start there are five pages of those videos... check through them and it should be one of them. But the link definitely does work in IE and I'd hope in most other browsers. Hope it works! Dan