Kev in Deva

Hallo Ed, I dont think there is a Romanian connection either with the one on the left, the colour of the flag white, green over red to the rear is not the Romanian colours of Blue, Yellow, Red. OR The second a sports / athletics badge, again I cant see a connection to Romania, who by the way use Roman Fonts not Krylic style like Bulgaria. Kevin in Deva. Transylvania, Romania.

Hallo hunyadi that makes sense as it appears to be a quality item, "patriotika par excelance" hopefully somebidy else will add more to the information. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo, just to say you have some fantastic pieces in your collection, congratulations. Kevin in Deva.

You forgot to add the words "In my opinion" in your reply, it is only in your opinion "it was posted as an ideologial item (which is calling to the victory of the communism). Unless you have evidence contary to this. You will not find anywhere on this forum any postings allowed by any members, that are Pro-Communisum or Pro-Fascist allowed, but increasingly it seems you have a very anti-Soviet agenda, and I dont think this forum is suited to what you require. As far as I am concerened most of the members, if not all, post here out of a genuine desire to know more about the military artifacts that the collect, most, if not all, dont come here to preach how one-side or the other were more evil. I would like to believe that its a simple misunderstanding caused between people's who have been living on different sides of the fence for so long. But, please understand this, nobody will be allowed to use his membership of G.M.I.C. to post Pro-this or Pro-that statements. Or declare we have double standards, and are hipocritical, because there is no truth to that statement. Prior to 1936 - 45 there was perceived to be only two choices for the people of Europe, Communist or Fascist, since the end of 1945 people have realised there is another choice its called being Democratic, today in the "Free world" you can follow other alternatives than the two listed above. Many of our members have travelled to many countries, many live in other countries, many have had military service in one form or another, many others are civilians, many are well educated, and some not so well educated,(I include myself in the latter catagory with regards education). But, all share a passion for military history and the items that are associated with it. If I collect Soviet items does that make me a communist? If I collect iii-reich items does that make me a nazi? If I collect Rodhesia & South African items am I a racist? We collect, we compare, we ask questions, but, above all we do not preach about the politics or past empires. Many of us have no idea what life was like under domination of the Communists, Many of us have no idea personaly about life under nazi occupation, unless told by our Grand-parents, The East was fenced off from us after WW2 ended. But, you cannot hold us responsible for the past crimes commited by the Soviets, when we were under the threat of the "Cold War". But, what we do have in the west is the memory of the thousands of citizens of our countries who gave their lives in WW2 to stop the nazi's and japanese. Communism is gone, is it dead?, I doubt it, there will be a great period of change and re-adjustment, that does not mean you go back to following the fascist's of pre-communist times, its time to look forward. We, in the west faced this immediately after the end of WW2, the old Colonial Empires were finished, independence was coming for many Nations around the Globe, we in Western Europe faced the uncertainty and difficulties, as now former Soviet controlled countries have to face them, but there is one benifit standing by to help, the E.U. (although not everybody will agree that the E. U. is so benificial, ) but what country can aford to stand alone and prosper?? This is how I see it, and it might be simple of me to think of it this way. Kevin in Deva

Pluribus, Fact: the Nazis and their version Fascism exsisted. Fact: the Soviets and their version of Communisum exsisted. Fact: May Day was always seen as a holiday for the "Workers" Fact: Mr Ed_Haynes post is not out to gloryfie Communisum, Joe Stalin, or Lenin. Perhaps when you have spent more time here you will recognise that fact. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Teddy, congratulations on such a nice find even without paperwork its a great set Kevin in Deva

Interesting to see he has at least 3 Italian medals where did he serve in WW1? Kevin in Deva

Auctioneer Speak: "Not many of then out there" translates to: "should raise the bids by a couple thousand. Suckers" Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents thanks for your input. There is no writing on the crown, and it differs from most tinnies as it has quality enameling whereas most "tinnies" were just that tin or aluminum, unless it was for officers?? I thought at first somebody had adapted an enameled cross to this style, also interesting that no maker mark is shown to the rear. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Chris I asked the seller about the size of the badge he said its 1 inch X 1 inch so its bigger than a mini. Kevin in Deva.

IRISH MERCHANT MARINE MEDAL WW2 I asked the seller when did he intend to send the pictures I requested days ago and got this in reply. Did send to you by mail two days ago Dennis The pics I am using are from a previous sale of a medal exactly the same, take my word for it this is as good as you are going to get when it comes to this medal, it is 100% genuine and in excellent condition. Regards Dennis Finally sold to "Starryplough" for: US $3.050,00 VERY FISHY Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents Now for something completely different take a gander at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...atchlink:top:us Was it an original period Austrian cross of sometime?? or has it undergone a conversion?? Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...DME:B:FSEL:US:1 any thoughts on this item, its been post war decorated. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Christophe sad news may he Rest In Peace. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, any indication in the auction page that the seller took a medal bar apart? Or maybe he obtained them this way? I believe the current high bidder "strelitzer" is also a ebay dealer in bars? Kevin in Deva.

Erased details to the rear, probably the original winner of the medal, to the front "2nd Preis". Kevin in Deva

Hallo iffig, if my memory serves me correct, and I may be wrong the Fasces symbol dates back to the times of the Romans, and was not the invention of the Italian Fascists (they stole a lot of symbols no more than the nazis), I believe it represented a person in official capacity of the Roman Empire, a Judge?? Even shooting competions require judges and administration. So could the medal predate the Fascist period?? Kevin in Deva

Hi Tony in western Europe especialy since the 1960's the youth have looked for ways to show signs of rebellion against what they perceive as the "Control by the State" and it's laws and regulations, student groups have alligned themselves with all sorts of canpaigns, such as the Anarchists, Anti-War, Anti-Establishment, Neo-Nazi groups to have tended to attract students as well as the young un-educated, poor working class types (the type who made the NSDAP what it was at the begining,) there is also a sprinkling of people who have a good back-ground, well educated, who have had an admiration for the policies of the nazi party and Fascism, either through the family history going back to the 1930's. The people who thought Adolf and Benitto had the right idea, throw into this mix, the anti-semetic ingrediant, the anti-Non White ingrediants, the social misfits, the out and out mentals and you end up with a potent mix. The USA contribute with its "White-Power" Aryian Nation and KKK" groups who since the use of the internet have no problem setting up their hate web-sites. In many countries, (including the former Communist controlled ones) now we can see the emergence of the Far-Right Parties who believe their turn for power is coming, actively recruiting the unemployed youth to use as a power base, and to be used as muscle. A couple of years ago I saw an interesting documentry about for the want of a better word "neo-cossack" groups in Georgia, guys dressing up in the old costumes, singing the old songs, spouting hatred against the Jews ("Remember they killed Christ") being a very common line, they also proudly boasted of their ancestral service with the Germans in WW2 and the honour it had brought them. Fascism is on the rise all over, the youth are wearing the symbols which they percieve to "P%*@ Off" the authorities. Racial attacks are on the rise all over even in Russia. I saw in Budapest, Hungary when the recent disturbances took place, swastika-tattooed youths throwing stones at the police, others with the s.s. runes tattooed on their arms doing the same thing as well, side by side with teenagers in the hoodies wearing the anarchist symbols. I have seen at a collectors meeting in Targu-Mures, Romania a guy dressed in U.S. chocolate-chip camo, with red para boots, on his arms very tastefully tattooed a portrait of Adolf and a depiction of the Iron Cross with swastika, buying up anything, fake or real with a swastika on it!! Probably a fan of the old "IRON GUARD" the Romanian Fascists. At the dedication of the monument to fallen SS men in one of the Baltic States, a large group of youths, wearing what they percieve as the new uniform of the fascism, Para boots, black combat jacket & pants, stood and chanted, and gave the nazi salute. (how cool ) In Germany the Neo-nazi skinheads do the same, in a couple of years we will have the new, re-packeged "neo-communists" and I have to ask myself has anything at all been learned from the horrors we inflicted upon ourselves between 1936 and today, be it Nazo or Communist. I myself was born in England, raised in Ireland, my parentage is an Irish father, English mother, and I have heard for years the Anti-British crap from the mouth of youngsters, nearly all starting with. . . . well my Grand-father said the Brits did this... and that..... all over 200 years ago and bearing little relevance to today. I served over 21 years in the Irish Defences Forces and with the U.N. in South Lebanon, so I have seen what, intolarance can do. But, do we really have to equate power, with total control of others, who differ from us in Race, Religion, Politics? Will ignorance always offered as an altenative to inteligence and understanding. Lets hope not. Kevin in Deva.

The monument is one of the largest I have seen in the area where I live and I will try to add some more information with regards the fighting in this area in WW2, hope you like the tour. Thanks for looking. Kevin in Deva

Hallo iffig, Your post will help to date the medal, and shows it does not have any connection to Mussolini. Kevin in Deva

Ovidiu, my driver and good friend of the family, (in fact he is the guy who introduced me to Adriana my Romanian wife ). Thanks Ovi Kevin in Deva

The other long side has this list of names: CAPITAN ∙ ION ∙ FATU ∙ SLT ∙ GHEORGE ∙ CISMARU ∙ SLT ∙ DARIUS ∙ POPESCU ∙ ELEVII ∙ SERGENTI : CONSTANTIN ∙ BADANOIU ∙ TOMA ∙ BLAGA ∙ SCARLAT ∙ JINAU ∙ ION ∙ MOTREANU ∙ EMIL ∙ SINITEANU ∙ VASILE ∙ CODREANU ∙ BALAN ∙ BALAN ∙ ILIE ∙ RADU ∙ IOAN ∙ DUMITRESC ∙ ALEXANDRU ∙ SUCIU ∙ EMIL ∙ POPESCU ∙ MARIN ∙ PREDICIA ∙ IOAN ∙ SOSOI ∙ CONSTANTIN ∙ LUGULESCU ∙ IAON ∙ DASCALU ∙ CONSTANTIN ∙ ANTANSIU ∙ LERA ∙ SLOBODAN ∙ ION ∙ECOVESCU ∙ PETRU ∙ RADUCANU ∙ ION ∙ BOBEI ∙ MIRCEA ∙ FOTA ∙ CONSTANTIN ∙ COMANESCU ∙ AURICA ∙ STROIE ∙ IULIU ∙ IUGA ∙ ERNEST ∙ RICHA ∙ NICOLAE ∙ MILITARU ∙ GRIGORE ∙ CASOTA ∙ DUMITRU ∙ GHEORGE ∙ PETRE ∙ MOTEA ∙ TIBERU ∙ IOVI ∙ IOAN ∙ DOBRITOIU ∙ ALEXANDRU ∙ BABALAU ∙ EMIL ∙ STANESCU ∙ NICOLAE ∙ SERB ∙ PETRE ∙ COANDA ∙ GHEORGIE ∙ STAMATOIU ∙ DUMITRU ∙ MECHENICI ∙ APOSTAL ∙ PLOPSOREANU ∙ CORNEL ∙ WEICHERT ∙ CONSTANTIN ∙ SELEA ∙ PAUN ∙ BALESCU ∙ NICOLAE ∙ IVAN ∙ SERGENT : ELENA ∙ CHIRITA. Strange to say not all the above names are on the marble tablets under the statue So is the "bunker" an ossary?? must investigate. Kevin in Deva

The end of the marble block had this carved into it, and here I would ask Carol I for a translation. Kevin in Deva

As you look at the monument to the front, their is a curious "bunker-like" structure with a white marble block on top, At first I was stumped as to what the structure was for. Kevin in Deva.

The fields to the left hand side of the monument rear, now prime agricultural land, a far different crop was sown here in 1944. Kevin in Deva