Kev in Deva

I will post shots of 3 others I have in my collection a little later.

As promised.

Kevin in Deva.

By the way, the Romanian Phonecard shows items from the Romanian National Mint and features this:

"ORDER OF UNITY" instituted in 1864 by Sir Alexandru Ioan I Cuza (1859-1866)

It was designed by Carol Pop de Szathmari (1812 - 1887.)

Whats your opinion's O' Learned Ones, Twos, and Threes

Mongolian Airforce 1944 jacket on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mongolian-Airforce-Mun...1QQcmdZViewItem

Kevin in Deva.

The military one carries the dates: 1866 -1906 and the words " IN AMINTIREA ANULUI AL 40 LEA AL CAPITANIEI MELE."

This photo shows the rear, which shows somebody has butchered a bar to get the medal in the original auction shots the photo was carefuly cropped around the medal, and shows no sign of the old stiches.

Looking at the quality of the ribbon and the stitching it was originaly very proffesionaly mounted.

I will post shots of 3 others I have in my collection a little later.

Kevin in Deva.

PS: Of course these can be found down here in Romania but rarely with original ribbon and in such great shape, there now 4 in total in my collection were all found in Germany over the last 4 years or so.

Hallo Gentlemen,

this arrived in the door today, all the way from Germany.

A Romanian 40th Aniversary Medal of King Carol I, this type for the Military, which differs from the model issued to the Civil Service which has the Royal Coat of Arms to the rear.

The military one carries the dates: 1866 -1906 and the words " IN AMINTIREA ANULUI AL 40 LEA AL CAPITANIEI MELE."

Variation has also been observed in the size of the Kings Head (on the medal)

And a rare variation of the Military one exsists, where the dates 1866 - 1906 and the MELE have been stamped into the medal after it was produced, the original die not containing these 3 items

The second photo shows the rear, which shows somebody has butchered a bar to get the medal in the original auction shots the photo was carefuly cropped around the medal, and shows no sign of the old stiches.

Looking at the quality of the ribbon and the stitching it was originaly very proffesionaly mounted.

I will post shots of 3 others I have in my collection a little later.

Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gentlemen

Sad news, yesterday a Romanian Military Police Corporal on duty was killed with 3 Italian comrades by a bomb in a car driven into his convoy, I attach details from a Romanian Online Newspaper:

"One Romanian, three Italian soldiers killed in Iraq".

The soldiers were killed during a patrol mission near An Nassyria yesterday morning. The Romanian and Italian authorities, the Pope expressed deep regrets and condemned the terrorist attack.

published in issue 3668 page 1 at 2006-04-28.

Corporal Bogdan Hancu (28, photo) from Iasi, from a family of professional soldiers, was in Iraq with the Military Police Detachment deployed to Camp Mittica.

The armoured vehicle in which the soldiers were patrolling was attacked by Iraqi rebels around 8:00 AM. A trap vehicle was driven straight into the patrol car killing the Romanian and three Italians. The joint Romanian-Italian convoy formed of four army vehicles was just starting a patrol mission that was eventually fatal. Onboard the vehicles there were one Italian officer, 15 Carabinieri and one Romanian ? Bogdan Hancu. The military convoy was driving to the Provincial Joint Operation Centre ? the integrated operative venue of the security forces serving the province ? where the victims of the attack were supposed to carry out their regular service of ground control in coordination with the local security forces. The attack is being investigated by an Italian-Romanian commission.

Romanian soldier repatriated last night.

The body of the Romanian soldier was expected to be flown to Bucharest last evening. Bogdan Hancu will be entombed with military honours most likely on Saturday. The Mayor of Iasi has announced that the municipality would assist the family with money and with a grave.

Condolences

President Traian Basescu voiced his deep regret for the loss suffered by the family of Corporal Bogdan Hancu.

?Through the courage to be a member of the Romanian troops that maintain peace in the hot areas of the world, Corporal Bogdan Hancu ranges among the Romanian heroes who put their lives at risk day after day, taking action there where terrorism represents a daily reality,? said the President, quoted by a press release of the Presidential Administration.

Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu and the Government in their turned deplored the terrorist attack. ?Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu and the Executive express their deepest condolences and their solidarity with the family of the dead Romanian military,? reads a news release issued by the Government. The Minister of Foreign Affairs extended ?his sincerest condolences and solidarity to the family of the Romanian soldier?. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) also expressed regret over the loss of the Romanian soldier and conveyed condolences to his family.

American and British Ambassadors Nicholas F. Taubman and Quinton Quayle also expressed their regret for the victims of the attack, and conveyed condolences to the Romanian soldier?s family. The American diplomat expresses in a news release his gratefulness that ?America has such a brave and trustworthy ally as Romania in the war on terror.? In turn, Quinton Quayle stated that he was impressed with the courage and determination proven by the Romanian troops stationed in Iraq.

The President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and current PM Silvio Berlusconi expressed their consternation and immense grief. Ciampi called upon the competent authorities to keep him informed of any developments and on the details of the attack. Recently elected Head of the Italian Government Romano Prodi in his turn pointed out that ?the tragedy is affecting the entire Italy.?

Bogdan Hancu, promoted post-mortem

The Ministry of National Defence leadership expresses its regret for the death of Caporal Bogdan Hancu and stands by the mourning family, reads a communiqu?. Through the order of the National Defence Minister, the caporal was promoted to the rank of Junior Lieutenant post-mortem. The Ministry will take all the necessary measures to support Bogdan Hancu?s family during such hard moments. The Ministry of National Defence also expresses its regret for the human losses suffered by the Italian partners.

Corporal Bogdan Hancu is the second Romanian soldier to have died in Iraq, but the first one to die on a mission. On March 25, 2006, soldier Lili Dobre (engaged under a contract) from Battalion 280 Focsani, shot himself.

Romania has deployed to the An Nassyria region a battalion of infantry - Battalion 280 Focsani ? and a military police detachment. They are all accommodated at the Camp Mittica base under Italian command.

Italy will pull out from Iraq until the end of this year. The decision has been made by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi under the pressure of the public. Romania has not made any plans or decision about such an eventuality so far, President Basescu having repeatedly stated that the Romanian troops would stay in Iraq as long as it is deemed necessary.

Confusion

The family of the soldier was announced by the representatives of the Defence Ministry soon after the attack. According to the Press Bureau of the Ministry, the person who was announced was the Corporal?s father, Marcel Hancu. Subsequently, the media announced this name. But, a news report signed Mediafax reads the opposite, namely that the family of the soldier had learned about his death from the press.

?We realised what happened when we saw the media at our door. It was around 11 O?clock, and nobody from the unit had called to tell us. When my wife learnt the news she fainted. We knew the risks of the profession of our soldier, but we had never thought that such a thing could happen to Bogdan,? has allegedly said the father of the killed soldier to Mediafax correspondent.

The Ministry denied this information, stressing that probably the mother of the Corporal had not been announced about the death of her son before learning it from the media, but the father had been announced before the information was transmitted to the press.

Corporal Bogdan Hancu comes from a family with military tradition. Both parents, Marcel and Carmen Hancu, had been officers, switched in reserve with the rank of colonel, and Lt. Colonel. ?We have not encouraged him to follow a military career. It was his decision. He had the rank of corporal and he wanted to be upgraded. A mission abroad would have facilitated his promotion. He left to Iraq in January, and had to return in July,? said Carmen Hancu. Bogdan Hancu had married Ionela, an accountant, last November, and they planned to have a baby after his return from the mission. The two were living together with Bogdan?s grandmother, in a flat obtained subject to a real estate loan. Hancu family wants to bury Bogdan in the cemetery ?Sfintii Petru si Pavel? from Iasi, in the lot reserved for the soldiers fallen in the line of duty.

Pope condemns Iraq attack

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday expressed ?profound grief? over the bomb attack in Iraq which killed three Italians and one Romanian soldier. In a letter of condolence to Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, the pope paid tribute to the Italian contingent?s ?generous and unselfish contribution? to peace and freedom in Iraq. The letter was signed by the Vatican ?foreign minister? Monsignor Giovanni Lajolo who said earlier, in an interview with Vatican Radio, that that the Iraq attack and the recent bombings in Dabab, Egypt, were ?acts of cruel barbarity?.

by Rodica Pricop.

End of story in Newspaper.

While some confusion remains over who announced the news to the family, it cannot compare to the stress caused to an Australian mother who when going to look at the body of her son killed in the War On Terror" found the Australian Military had flown the wrong body home!!!

How 'bout Oksana Federova, Miss Universe 2002, and a REAL St Petersburg police officer?

If you care to see more: http://fedorova-oksana.ru/

Brings a whole new meaning to "Are you coming along quietely or will I have to restrain you Sir?" - "Oh Yes please, pass the handcuffs"

"She's coming to take me away, hehe hoho hehe hoho!

Kevin in Deva.

How about these Ladies?:

Never mind the uniform, or the girls*, what are the medals

*wife watching as I type yes dear I am only looking at the medals (.) (.)

Kevin Deva.

The last for tonight as I have to bring my brother to catch the train to Budapest, he is flying to London and from there, on to Ireland after his nice long one-month holiday

This one is the Romanian Version for:

UNKNOWN SOLDIER / EROU NECUNOSCUT R.I.P.

the literal translation is Unknown Hero.

As you can see from the condition of the cross a couple more years and this will be gone too

Kevin in Deva

Even though there is a Soviet section, this guy seems to have been overlooked and put in with the Romanians

The Inscription is:

SOLD(AT) RUS. LESGENCO ALEX 23 VIII 1944. R.I.P.

To the rear left the Inscription is:

SOLD(AT) FRATILIA CONST. REG 98. INF 1944. 16. VI. 1944 R.I.P.

why the date 1944 is repeated twice I have to find out.

The inscription on the cross to the right is too indistinct to make out on this photo, I only have a small digital camera

The one in the next photo is very interesting because besides having the smaller version military cross he has a full-size headstone, the Inscription on the smaller cross reads:

SINISTRAT (CIVILIAN) CIUPILIGA TRAIAN. R.I.P.

While the larger headstone Inscription reads:

Hero of C.F.R (Romanian Railways) CIUPULIGA TRAIAN

Erected to his memory by his wife Maria.

He was probably killed in one of the many bombing raids carried out by the US AIRFORCE against the main Railway Junction in Simeria about 10kms East from Deva. They US flew missions out of North Africa, and later out of Italy against targets in Romania.

To the rear right is the headstone of:

CAPOR(AL) EPURE GH. 4 GR. 1944 16. VI 1944 RIP

Kevin in Deva.

Hi Kev, a poignant thread. Some great photos and thanks for bringing this record of history to the Forum.

Hallo stogieman

well even though it seems the Deva graveyard is somewhat neglected, on the Romanian National Day 1st of December, a local Military unit marches a Platoon up the road to the cemetery and lays wreaths at the War memorial, also wreaths are laid from the Police and Jandameria and the Mayor.

The white marble monument is shown in one picture on this post, around it are the wreaths from December, to the upper rear all the gravestones in white are in part of the civilian section of the graveyard. The small crosses in front of the black wall are all WW2 era for mainly Romanian soldiers.

Afterwards it is left in peace and quite for another year, and in the bushes in and around the Ww2 Soviet sector, vagrants have been sleeping

Kevin in Deva

scowen said:

Not really sure what to make of it. Never seen one before apart from the diagram in H?sken.

Cheers

Don

Hallo Don,

spotted this on page 116 of AUSZEICHNUNGEN des 3. REICHES, Spezialkatalog 2003/2004 by LOTHAR HARTUNG. Maybe of some help.

Kevin in Deva.

PS. Is there any chance the D. J.stickpin was constructed with the crossed rifle and Sieg Emblem that was taken from the award badge shown in the right hand side of the photos, or were the D. J. insignia / award badges in the book one piece castings?

I am tracing out a bar and need to know what Prussian Infantry Regiments was the Russian Czar honorary C&C of? Was he also C&C of an Wurttmebrg, Saxon or bayern regiments? Thanks.

Hallo Paul,

dont know if it has any connection with your post, but the Czar of Russia was also connected to a Romanian Regiment & King Ferdinand of Romania was Commander of a Russian Regiment!!

Some details can be sent if interested.

Kevin in Deva, Romania.

Kev, Very interesting group. Would you happen to know what the back of the book says? Thanks for showing this. Robert

Hallo Robert,

please excuse my delay, had a devil of a time to find somebody to translate the information on the book in my Mar 15 2006, 10:36 Post #50.

However while in the business of transacting a medal sale to a guy in the Czech Republic, I sent him a scan of the booklet and got the following information in reply:

"Enclosed pictures are for membership card (Clensky Prukaz) in Mladez of Narodni Sourucenstvi. It means Youth of National Mutual Cooperation.

This association was something like political party or coalition of political groups which existed during WWII in Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia. The program of N S was some scale of collaboration with German occupation authorities.

Front page displays the N S Coat-of-Arms. Vlasti Zdar means Prosperity to Motherland.

The second page has identification details (Brother/Sister, Born in, and Address.

Is a member from a local group, District, Region, with Signature, Rubber-stamp, local leader, local chief.

The next page gives details about number of card; date of issue, and about paid membership contributions for the years 1940, 1941, 1942.

The last rows are for records about changes of group.

The last page is Promise or Association Motto:

Brother, Sister

Do not forget that you have done this promise:

I promise under my reputation and conscience,

That for ever I will be faithful Czech,

Led by N S rules I will loyally serve to my nation

And will work for the prosperity of my country.

Improve and learn yourself and teach others, love them and help them

This card is valid only with another official card equipped by picture and when it is properly confirmed and fees that are paid.

With many thanks for the translation to Mr. Frantisek Sedlacek of the Czech Republic.

Kevin in Deva.

Thanks so much for the photos, it makes me need a vacation more then ever.

Dan

Thanks for the comments Dan ,

Romania is a very beautiful country, and very cheap for a holiday, some places offer very basic services but with each year the service improves. and the people are very hospitable, Romania has got some bad press with regards the Gypsey's who go to Italy, France, G.B. etc. etc and get caught stealing, they are very anti-social even here in Romania, they have no love of work, refuse to intigrate into society (under Ceauchescu the Dictator they were made send the kids to school, since the Revolution, they dont bother to do that) and begging & stealing is their full time business.

I am not being a racist here, to understand their mentality, you have to see the way the Clan leaders (who never had a job in their lives) live in 5 story "kitch" palaces, big cars and the women have their gold necklaces, ring and jewelry, big cars etc., etc. all this is from the smaller minions in the clan who go out everyday begging and stealing on the streets.

The Roma comunity is even trying legal means to get compensation from Germany for the value of all the gold allegedly stolen by the Germans from them in WW2, as well as for all the members who were deported to concentration Camps. No doubt this did happen on a small scale but the figures of the amount of gold is being quoted are vastly inflated

Dan If you are interested P.M me your email address I will send you some more scenic shots full size..

Kevin in Deva.

By the way, today I visited the Military section of one of Deva's local cemetery's about 10 mins walk from my house, the Russian WW2 section is a little over grown , and strangely only one headstone for the soviets is marked (please see photo),

KOKUSKIN. VLADIMIR ANATOLIEVICI, R.I.P Exhumed in 1968, (presumably for return to Russia).

the other shot shows the graves of Romanians killed in late WW2 whether with the Germans against the Russians, or with the Russians against the Germans is not yet known by me.

I hope to photo and document all the names and ranks, over the summer, there as the crosses are made from concrete and eroded by the weather, These crosses don't carry any pictures though.

Kevin in Deva

Item 4. Industry Medal? Serial Number:984141.

Kevin in Deva.

Item 3, Para for sure

Hallo Gentlemen

these few Soviet pieces are in my collection, but I am not entirely sure who or what they are for.

Item 1: Markmanship badge.? Serial number on screwback: 4732750 ?

Pictures will be attached in folowing replies to the thread.

Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gentlemen

these few Soviet pieces are in my collection, but I am not entirely sure who or what they are for.

Item 1: Markmanship badge.? Serial number on screwback: 4732750 ?

Item 2, I believe is connected to the Kasakstan area.? to the rear under the rear wheel is a maker mark? 6

Item 3, Para for sure.

Item 4. Industry Medal? Serial Number:984141

Pictures will be attached in folowing replies to the thread.

Kevin in Deva.

I'm not too worried about the Ehrenlegion, bars like this exist. Wearers who just didn't care mixing official and non-official awards.

Back seems ok, last medal was added later, but better pics would be needed.

What I don't understand, but maybe it's just my fault: This guy was in the armed forces in WW1 (Hindenburg!). He's got an RAO4, so was at least a senior Hauptmann (or equivalent) rank in 1914. But how come he doesn't have ANY LS decoration in 1934?

Hallo webr55

I was under the impresssion that the iii reich ridgedly enforced the medal regulations, as a "diplomat" this guy would have had some fair exposure to the "high and mightyness" of the iii reich, would he risk getting a bollacking by displaying the wrong combination of medals,?? after all the Civil-service - diplomatic corps was a cut-throat business, and it still dosent explain the very common Romanian order and bar.

Kevin in Deva.

to be honest id want to see the medal in myy hand before id pay that sorta money!!!!!

Me too Paddywack

thats alotta dosh and it would be quite a sickener if it turns out to be a REPRO

Kevin in Deva.

Well, if it's a "made" bar it's one of the more creative ones we've seen in some time. I think it's more realistic that we have a WW1 soldier in some post 1935 diplomatic position. This isn't out of the realm of reality in entirety.... the only real issue I have is the Ehren Legion Medal. I'm sure my other half will weigh in soon. he has several other bars that look quite nice including a couple of scarcer Baden Medals.

Hallo stogieman

thanks for the comments, hopefully all will be revealed by our very own medal guru's, and nice job on the pictures, Its only now I notice the last medal has been added on as an extension of an exsisting bar.

I still think it strange with reference the Romanian medal, from what I could learn, the bar "PRO PATRIA" to the medal was only given with the civilian award for donating large sums of money or material to the Romanian Military in WW1, and the Romanians were fighting Germany in WW1

Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gentlemen, just spotted this bar:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Ordensspange-Diplomat_W...1QQcmdZViewItem

Seller claims it belonged to a "DIPLOMAT"

but its strange as its got a Combatant EKII. followed by A War Service Help Cross,

A Hindenberg NON-COMBATANT next to a German Legion of Honour for Combatant!!

Followed by an Order of the Red Eagle without Crown & Swords, next to a Romanian King Carol Jubilee Medal with PRO PATRIA BAR, only ever given to Romanian civillians who helped the military with donations.

And to top it off a Venezualan Simon Boliviar Medal.

Surely not possible. . . .

Kevin in Deva

In the graveyard of the church and the seventh of the headstones,

Its to: GHEORGHE NEGRU*, Born 6 December 1908 - Died 1995. R.I.P.

Hard to make out the insignia on the cap looks like a crown over a winged wheel, if so he to is a Railway man, I will make more enquires the next time I visit.

* In english his name would be George Black.

Kevin in Deva.

In the graveyard of the church and the sixth of the headstones,

Its to: GHEORGIE VLAD, Born 1921 - Died 1996. R.I.P.

As the photo on the headstone is a little indistinct he might be connected to the Romanian Railways

FLOAREA VLAD, Born 1923 - 1995 (Wife?) R.I.P.

Kevin in Deva.