Christian Zulus

Dear Rick, true words and you are presenting historic facts . I had been more difficult to get an RS in winter 1942 in Stalingrad, than an RB in spring 1945 in Berlin . At a recent thread, I compared the mass-HSUs for Dnepr-crossing to the crossing of the Landwehrkanal in Berlin: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=147160 , where a heroic tank-commander did not receive his earned HSU. Best regards Christian

HSU Alexander Matrosov Gentlemen, here are 3 links - the first in English and the rest in Russian language - with further informations about HSU Alexander Matrosov: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Matrosov http://www.warheroes.ru/hero/hero.asp?Hero_id=597 http://www.peoples.ru/military/hero/matrosov/index.html Best regards Christian

Lieber Gerd, congratulations to your promotion to the rank of a CLUB HOST . Best regards Christian

Dear Bryan, don't take my postings too literally, when they are ment metaphorically . Dave's approach is right: Propaganda would make not so much sense. The noted "20 killed Hitlerites" may result in actually 25 killed German soldiers or 15 killed German soldiers, but if you would draw a "balance-sheet" of all citiations, they citated quotas will somehow correspond to the actual historic reality, I assume. The Red Army did a hard job to liberate Europe (and the Asian continent) . Best regards Christian

Lieber Gerd, we already had such discussion ... At least the young lady looks nice . As you should know, a Lenin or Hero of the Socialist Labour was not possible anymore in post-CCCP Russia . The fact is, that the "value" of a HSU declined after march 1953 ... Best regards Christian

Gentlemen, just by accident a discussion arose about the Burgundian-Austrian "Order of the Golden Fleece" and the so called "Imperial Regalia" (Crown of the Holy Roman Empire, Spear of Destiny, etc., etc.) in the fake-department at the GMIC-Communist-Section. You will find a lot of educational stuff - and also some entertainment - at: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=135745 and the following postings at that thread. Have a look. Best regards from Vienna (k.u.k. Haupt-, Reichs- und Residenzstadt) Christian Zulus

Dear Bryan, I will try my best . My modest collection consists also a rather fine YU-section (partly from my daughter's family) . Best regards Christian

Dear Bryan, we are coming rather close to a "revisionist"-discussion . Maybe comrade Gagarin had never visited the orbit and the story around him was made up? Maybe the majority of Nazi-soldiers died of influenza, committed suicide or had been killed by US-bombs? Maybe you received an Glory just for shooting at 1 (one) Nazi-soldier? 3 shots = 1 Cavalier of Glory . Matrosov had not been a "propaganda-fake" - and there were a lot of heros like Matrosov in the GPW . The soldiers & officers of the Red Army did a great job in WW II - and that is a fact . Best regards Christian

Original documents ? Dear Dave, I asked you, if you have the original documents - as shown at the scans - in your hands or copies? Best regards Christian

A big stain on Cuicov's image Gentlemen, after reading that more than outstanding citation of that young heavy-tank commander for 3 different (!) heroic deeds - completly different locations and dates -, I think, that our comrade deserved for: - Landwehrkanal: HSU (without discussion!) - Flugplatz Tempelhof: RB (at least) - Seelower H?hen: RB (at least) Several thousends (!) of Soviet soldiers received their HSU for crossing the Dnepr. Crossing the Landwehrkanal in the city of Berlin with that heavy tank is something completly different - the resistence of the German forces had been much more fierence inside Berlin, than somewhere in the Ukraine So getting for 3 outstanding heroic deeds only 1 RB is a big scandal . BTW: Nevsky or Suvorov 3cl had not been possible for an officer in that position (tank commander). Just my opinion ... Best regards Christian

Research of numbered YU-Awards Dear Bryan, wise decision . Research has to be possible and all our archives are in Belgrade. After we have formed a new government, with new ministers, responsibilities etc. I will try to find a solution for researching the numbered awards (a lot of them are unnumbered!). I hope, that I - as the Secretary General of the "Austrian - Serbian Union" http://www.oejg.net - could offer a service to the collectors community. Coming week I will have another meeting with our military attachee in Vienna and I will ask him about the possibilities. But the big mass of numbered YU-Awards at the market seems to be unissued and unawarded fresh from the stock :-( We should also publish a comprehensive guide about YU-Awards. Best regards Christian

The importance of the "Golden Fleece" & the "Imperial Regalia" Dear Esq. Haynau, at special threads the remarks in my postings shouldn't be taken to literally, but more metaphorically . But I did not compare the "Archhouse Habsburg" to Miss Umalatova in an unfair way. I already stated at this thread: "Coming to the point: Miss Umalatova does the same, as Mr. Habsburg - confering orders of a sunken period. O.K, Mr. Habsburg has a legitimation by the Republic of Austria and Miss Umalatova does not have it from the Russian Federation." So, I pointed out the legitimate continuity of the Habsburg's tradition in a correct way. Concerning the "Golden Fleece", you will find more educational and serious postings from me at that thread: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=145413 (till post 33#), where I described the "Golden Fleece" as of Burgundian-Austrian origin. You mentioned the "Spanish branch" of this order. But the fact is, that the "value" (and the phaleristic quality) of the Iberian items are much lower, than the original Burgundian-Austrian examples. You also mentioned another highly interesting legal chase: The so called "Reichskleinodien" (Imperial Regalia = Crown of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, Holy Lance ("Spear of Destiny"), etc., etc.), which are stored and exhibited in Vienna, KHM, Schatzkammer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Regalia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Crow...ly_Roman_Empire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spear_of_Destiny Intersting question: Who is the legitimate owner - "keeper", because the "Imperial Regalia" might be a legal subject of their own - of the whole stuff? As we know, the "Holy Roman Empire" - the only authentic holy empire - passed away in the year 1806, destroyed by Napoleon. The last ("Holy Roman") Emporer had been the Habsburg Franz the 2nd (ident with Austrian Emporer Franz the 1st ...). Since that time, the "Imperial Regalia" are located in Vienna - with a short interruption by Gefreiter (Lance-Corporal) Adolf Schickelgruber (vulgo: "Hitler", Russian: "Gitler"), who took them back to Nuremberg - and it is absolutly not solved, who is the legal owner of the collection. How did the "Imperial Regalia" come to Vienna? When the army of Napoleon approached Nuremberg in the spring of 1796 the city councilors decided to remove the "Imperial Regalia" to Vienna, Austria for safe keeping. The collection was entrusted to Johann Freiherr (Baron) von H?gel, who promised to return the objects as soon as peace had been restored and the safety of the collection assured. However, the Holy Roman Empire was officially dissolved in 1806 and Freiherr von H?gel took advantage of the confusion over who was the rightful owner and sold the entire collection to the Habsburgs. When the city councilors of Nuremberg discovered this they asked for the "Imperial Regalia" back but were refused. Till 1919 the whole stuff of medival collectibles had been private property of the Habsburg family. 1919 the "Imperial Regalia" had been expropriated by the new Austrian Republic. Legally very simple: Freiherr von H?gel had a hughe collection of nice medival collectibles to offer and Franz von Habsburg-Lothringen purchased the whole stuff. The some case, as someone offers an "Iron Crown 3rd cl." at GMIC and the passionate A&H-collector Vladimir Springfield from Kentucky buys the order . The Austrian "Expropriation-Laws" against the Habsburg-family are due to international legislation not so 100 % legitimate and lawsuits at international courts are still going on ... The "Kunsthistorische Museum" in Vienna keeps the "Imperial Regalia" with that interesting argumentation: "Until there is again a Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation" . Taken the fact, that 100 % of all countries of the former "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" are now part of the European Union EU, then the head of the EU, President of the European Commission, Jos? Manuel Barroso http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Man...%C3%A3o_Barroso , might have some legitimation to wear and use the "Imperial Regalia" - the crown, sceptre, orb, sword, lance, etc., etc. Mr. Barroso is also member of the Roman Catholic Church and believes in god. He grew up in a Latin country and likes Germany. So, why not use the whole collection in Brussels? Anyway it would help him to establish real authority among the EU-Commissars, when Mr. Barroso would wear the "Holy Crown" at the meetings in Brussels . Or using the "Holy Lance", the "Spear of Destiny" for the military operations of EU-forces. The showing of the "Holy Lance" can have a tremendous effect at the battle field, as history shows, i.e. Emporer Otto the 1st & the Battle of Lechfeld against the Magyars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lechfeld . Imagine Tony Blair would take that lance, go to Bagdad and show the "Spear of Destiny" to the opponents of the British Forces: Within hours the whole Iraq might convert into the most peaceful place in the whole region . O.K., coming back to the legal viewpoint of the "Imperial Regalia". These versions might be possible: a) They are a legal subject of their own, but who should be the keeper: aa) The museum in Vienna? ab) The Habsburg-family? ac) The EU-commission in Brussels (as the "Imperial Successor")? ad) The museum in Nuremberg? ae) The Pope in Rome, Joseph Ratzinger (waiting for the coronation of the coming Emporer)? b) They are property of the Republic of Austria, due to the so called "Habsburg-Laws"? c) They are property of Dr. Otto Habsburg-Lothringen, because his family bought the collection from Baron H?gel? A truly tricky question . Maybe a fair solution would be, to bring the complete collection to Sotheby's in London for auction - might be a real sensation . The hammer-price might be divided in 3 parts: One part for the Habsburg-Family, one part for the Republic of Austria and one part for the city of Nuremberg. As long, as the Russian Oligarchs pay almost USD 600.000,- for an ordinary "Order of St. Andrew", they might be also willing to pay about USD 35.000.000.000,- for getting the "Imperial Regalia" as a complete & documented group (incl. all the handcrafted cases!) in excellent condition (PMD-rating ca. 8/10). If someone might be further interested in the topic "Imperial Regalia" and can read German, there is a great comprehensive book of Dr. Ernst Kubin: "Die Reichskleinodien - Ihr tausendj?hriger Weg", 1991: http://www.stauffacher.ch/shop/home/artike...ayxywlie2.fdc61 Yours sincerly Christian

Downgrading Dear Dave, congratulations to that outstanding IS-2-group . Question: You have the original papers from the RF-archives in your hand or copies ? Downgrading by several steps? I think, it was practical only one step from the HSU to RB, because a Lenin would have been an extremly odd decoration for an officer of such rank. I documented at another thread a mass awarding for a battalion at the "Weichsel-Oder-Operation" (1945) with the awards: HSU - RB - Nevsky - Glory http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtop...st&p=111519 . So the downgrading from HSU to RB looks for me rather "normal". Another point is, what sort of heroic deeds fullfilled or comrade in his IS 2 ? The fact is, that "Seelower H?hen" had been a fiasco for the Soviet tanks (due to Zhukov's wrong planning). The battle was won by infantry & pioneers. Also that special terrain is very bad for heavy tanks. The battle inside the city of Berlin was also not THE ideal terrain and environment for a IS 2, I assume. The simple and primitive German "Panzerfaust" had been the biggest threat for the Soviet tanks. What I want to say is, that our comrade in his IS 2 maybe didn't have the change to take part in an authentic "tank battle" - killing Tigers & Panthers with his "Iosif Stalin No. 2" ? My humble theory, why the strict Cuikov could have ment, that a RB might be enough for our brave tank commander. I have Cuikov's "Berlin-book" in my library. If you show us the translation of the citation, I can look after, how Cuikov described the actions of his IS-tanks - and maybe of these IS-tanks, where our comrade belonged to - in Berlin. Best regards Christian

Dave's Book Dear Ed, you have to tell us . I hope, I will get my copy next week . Best regards Christian

Gentlemen, no idea, about that (very) famous and (very) important Soviet Tank ? It's easy . Best regards Christian

Dear Dan, sorry, I don't have a good digital camera . But I can show you the Suvorov-Badge of Dr. Herfurth's 1987 collection - authentic, of course . Suvorov-Badges usually have rather fine red enamel and a realistic face - at least the older ones ... Best regards Christian

Dear Dan, nice design & nice item - take it, if it's still so cheap. With the inscribed name of the receipient, you might have the chance to get the badge somehow researched in the future ... I assume, that this badge went along with that medal: http://www.collectrussia.com/DISPITEM.HTM?ITEM=5327 Best regards Christian

Dear Dan, mine looks different . Everything is wrong with the picture of Generalissimus Suvorov . Usually these school-badges are rather well manufactured ... Best regards Christian

Dear "Wild Card", great group . At least the 5th RB is NOT a RB #5, but only an ordinary RB without number (birthday or anniversary) and the UK-Order has the wrong ribbon . So, your "loss" is not too "heavy", I think . But congratulations to your highly interesting Naval Invantry USD-15-k+-group . Best regards Christian

Dear Andrew, you are the expert, because you have the feeling, the knowledge and you know Soviet history & daily life . And you are accurate ... I would advise to put the "blow-up-scans", you presented us at GMIC, at an additional website-level to MONDVOR. So, if anyone wants to have a closer look at thes odd items, he can have it with just one mouse-click . Many fellow collectors would say "Oupps ...., what's that!", when they scroll down your (English) MONDVOR-website. With the additional blow-up-scans there will be no discussion any more about those items . Best regards Christian BTW: I don't have Suvorovs in my modest collection (only one Kutuzov 2cl), but I had a Suvorov 1cl, 2 T (authentic from the mint, but "museum") & a Suvorov 2cl 2T (ereased s/n.) at the dealer's shop in my hands.

Dear Andrew, many thanks for your "blow-up scans" - they show all the details :-) In that special case, they maybe want to save some gold (for theeth?) at the production of that Suvorov 2cl . Concerning your MONDVOR-website and your reputation as one of the world's top experts: Please, either decent scans in good quality (or blow-ups) or some more explanatory notes, whith scientific arguments. Now it is a little bit a mess: Bad scans of rare & odd variants (Suvorov 2cl) + no serious explanatory notes. We don't have to go back to the ABC of forgery - I know that gold-patina is almost impossible to fake ;- ) -, but the devils from the Baltics are delivering almost - at the first sight - convincing orders & medals :-( Andrew, I regard you as the No. 1 expert in Soviet Awards and never thought, that you might present "Baltic-Products" at MONDVOR-website :-) But your scans are actually too bad in quality :-( (concerning only these two Suvorov 2cl !). Best regards Christian

Some problems in communication Dear Ed, many thanks for your wise words . Neither Andrew, nor myself are English native speakers . Dear Andrew, due to your rather "extreme" reaction, I can only assume, that you did not understand the content of my message - sorry, I can not write it in Russian language . I did not write, that you are collaborating with those forgers in the Baltics, by presenting their copies at your website . My argument - as a user of your excellent website - had been, that these 2 Suvorovs 2cl look rather queer for 99 % of the collectors and your statement, that some other similar items exist, is not THE argument for their authenticy AND your scans are not of the usual quality, we know from your website. I only asked for some phaleristic and scientific arguments, why the collectors community should believe, that these odd looking Suvorovs 2cl have to be genuine & authentic . O.K., I myself belief, that all items presented at your MONDVOR-website are 100 % genuine & authentic, no doubt about that. MONDVOR is the top website about Soviet Awards and exactly for that reason the collectors community might expect some scientific arguments. Andrew, you don't run a simple dealer's-website, where it is sufficient, to state: Order is authentic due to the expertise of Andrew or of a PMD-certificate. You are running THE top website with a non-commercial content. So, if you tell us, that this order is authentic, because I tell it or PMD tells it - BTW: As we know, PMD has made mistakes in the past -, that is neither scientific, nor very polite. I have the position towards you as an ordinary collector of Soviet Awards, who wants to know the "how & why". Maybe you have understood my message now and don't feel, that I have done "a very serious accusation in front of many forum members" - that's rubbish, why should I accuse you . Best regards Christian

Dear Andrew, many thanks for your additions . Your (English) website works now at least 20times faster . Andrew, the last 2 items of the Suvorov 2cl at the bottom of your 1st page look a bit strange to me - the scans are also not of the usual high quality . The fact, that some other similar orders exist, is not THE proof, that they are NO fakes - my humble opinion. I assume, that our forgers in Eastern Europe produce small series of their copies. So we might find some rather ident items by the time in collection and at the market. Andrew, are there any scientific arguements, why these two examples should be authentic & original Suvorov 2cl ? Many thanks for your advice . Best regards Christian

Gentlemen, I did some advertisment for our quiz at the GMIC-section for armour: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=14882 , due to the fact, that we have now a question about a certain Soviet tank. Best regards Christian

Dear Christophe, no, I don't think so, because the Childs' already received their US Award directly from Regan. So why should they be honored again by some third-rate quasi-politican of the US-lead "Soviet-Puppet-Regime" ? That would have been an act of disgrace, if they would have forced Morris Childs to accept a "Lenin" from the hands of such creatures like Gorbacev or Jakovlev . BTW: Jakovlev worked for decades for the CIA and Gorbacev had been his "zombie" . What is also highly suspicious in the "Childs-double-agent-story", is the fact, that they worked for the FBI and not for the "wise guys" in the CIA. I think, that Yuri Andropov played a very tricky game with the USA in using the Childs brothers. Best regards Christian