Albania Documented Groups!

[Bob]

Will be making several posts here... first of all, a group from the National Historical Museum in Tirana. Documented as in attributed by the museum but not actually with documents included.

Note:

- gold order of the flag

- very rare silver medal remembrance

- and some other items

awarded to Nako Spiru (google to follow)

Have to also look into the cloth ribbon bar belonging to the group!

[Bob]

Link to Hero of Labor documented group (+ second documented award) to Hoxhollit

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=9125&st=0

[Bob]

Next group... translation pending - a nice labor group. Details to follow in coming days.

With more doc's coming out, starting to raise questions about the decree numbers.

- 1 decree = 1 awarding?

- 1 decree = multiple awardings?

- decree numbers are in order for medals awarding or does it also contain numbers e.g. for decision to build a new bridge, etc.?

Will have to get all my doc's out and start to order the decree nr / dates to see if some logic can be found.

[Bob]

Another small group - again more details (name, translation, etc.) to follow. Interesting to note that it includes a Naim Frasheri order document (rare!) as well as a medal of labor.

Edited October 1, 2008 by Bob

[Bob]

Next group... translation pending - a nice labor group. Details to follow in coming days.

With more doc's coming out, starting to raise questions about the decree numbers.

- 1 decree = 1 awarding?

- 1 decree = multiple awardings?

- decree numbers are in order for medals awarding or does it also contain numbers e.g. for decision to build a new bridge, etc.?

Will have to get all my doc's out and start to order the decree nr / dates to see if some logic can be found.

for state and civic services.

As a member of Democratic Front Organization has been hard working to fulfill the appointed tasks.

order of labour third class

Distinguished in hard work and honest discipline in fulfilling continously the tasks according to the planning in the sector where he works.

[Bob]

Another small group - again more details (name, translation, etc.) to follow. Interesting to note that it includes a Naim Frasheri order document (rare!) as well as a medal of labor.

Labor:

For good work and help given to fulfill tasks appointed from Party and Government. Through his attitude of honesty towards the work and society has become an example for the sector where he wroks, in keeping running the first two turbines of Fierza Hydrocentral.

Frasheri:

For good work in developing the agriculture propoganda in radio. Has well explained the directions (policies) of Party regarding the agriculture. Has worked hard in propagating the advanced experiences.

--------------------

Agriculture propaganda on the radio... gotta love that:)

[Eric Schena]

Thanks, Bob, for sharing these documented groups to us. I have found the documents to be rather hard to get or to find, so this kind of thing is invaluable.

[Bob]

True Eric - I've in fact started to now also document decree nrs / dates / etc. for all my documents and really have the impression that the decree numbers represent unique awardsing (i.e. 1 award to 1 person) and that the decree numbers only relate to awardings of medals (i.e. in between a decree nr will not be for building a bridge somewhere)

Coming weekend I'll look at my stash of documents and complete the list and post here - should also help to identify volume of awardings and approximate timing.

In the meantime, research in the archives is still something which is on the horizon... not close by, but not impossible either.

[Bob]

<!--quoteo(post=294222:date=Oct 1 2008, 13:23 :name=Bob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bob @ Oct 1 2008, 13:23 ) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=294222"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->

Another small group - again more details (name, translation, etc.) to follow. Interesting to note that it includes a Naim Frasheri order document (rare!) as well as a medal of labor.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Labor:

For good work and help given to fulfill tasks appointed from Party and Government. Through his attitude of honesty towards the work and society has become an example for the sector where he wroks, in keeping running the first two turbines of Fierza Hydrocentral.

Frasheri:

For good work in developing the agriculture propoganda in radio. Has well explained the directions (policies) of Party regarding the agriculture. Has worked hard in propagating the advanced experiences.

--------------------

Agriculture propaganda on the radio... gotta love that:)

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Albania/North/Tropoje/photo359343.htm

Link to a picture of the Fierza "Hydrocentral". Where the first two turbines are, who knows... but it's neat to see a real link to this award:)

[Bob]

And now for a rather large documented group... belonging to a Kico Kotani, a person that participated in WWII and later on part of the Albanian Armed Forces. The group ranges from 1953 to 2004 (!!!) and has more documents than medals so perhaps can "complete" it myself.

First up, some kind of academic paper with what appears to be some aspects deliberately cut out. Elvis, perhaps you can shed a light on this?

Will be posting scans of all the documents at a later stage. Hopefully some forum friends can help translate so we get a picture of what Mr Kotani actually did:

5-2-1953 - Certificate nr 14788 - Medaljen e Trimerise

5-2-1953 - Certificate nr 35836 - Medaljen e Clirimit

10-?-1953 - Certificate nr 2 (!!!) - Medal 10 Vjetori i Ushtrire

21-6-1954 - Dekoron, dekret 1888 - Urdherin Ylli i Kuq 2nd class

13-7-1959 - Dekoron, dekret 2939 - Urdherin e Skenderbeut 3rd class

1-7-1965 - Dekoron, dekret 4025 - Urdherin e Sherbimit Ushterak 3rd class

4-11-1968 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

6-11-1969 - Dekoron, dekret 4535 - Urdherin e Sherbimit Ushterak 2nd class

30-6-1970 - unkown document for Flet-Lavderimi

24-4-1972 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

14-7-1972 - Certificate for title "Kuader Shembullor" (nr order: 1094)

16-6-1977 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

7-7-1978 - unkown document

16-10-1981 - Order 40 Vjetori i ppsh

6-5-1986 - unkown document for Flete Nderi

29-?-2004 - document (with table medal) for 60 years liberation?

More pics (lots!) later

[Bob]

[Bob]

[Bob]

[Bob]

10-?-1953 - Certificate nr 2 (!!!) - Medal 10 Vjetori i Ushtrire

Poor scan, sorry

21-6-1954 - Dekoron, dekret 1888 - Urdherin Ylli i Kuq 2nd class

13-7-1959 - Dekoron, dekret 2939 - Urdherin e Skenderbeut 3rd class

1-7-1965 - Dekoron, dekret 4025 - Urdherin e Sherbimit Ushterak 3rd class

[Bob]

6-11-1969 - Dekoron, dekret 4535 - Urdherin e Sherbimit Ushterak 2nd class

5-2-1953 - Certificate nr 14788 - Medaljen e Trimerise

5-2-1953 - Certificate nr 35836 - Medaljen e Clirimit

30-6-1970 - unkown document for Flet-Lavderimi

[Bob]

4-11-1968 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

[Bob]

14-7-1972 - Certificate for title "Kuader Shembullor" (nr order: 1094)

Very curious to know what this is for!

24-4-1972 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

29-?-2004 - document (with table medal) for 60 years liberation?

[Bob]

7-7-1978 - unkown document

6-5-1986 - unkown document for Flete Nderi

16-6-1977 - unkown document for Flete Lavderimi

Not all scans came out OK, will request an Albanian friend via mail with larger scans to gradually translate.

[Zaim Qyteza]

Dear Bob

Compliments for the group of documents. Can you offer me a better picture or scan of that two documents?

I can explain to you, why the photo of the school (called in Albania: "polifoto”) is with two missing pieces. The original name of Albanian Military Academy was Mehmet Shehu. He was an ex partisan commander, many times minister of defense and later prime minister (1954-1981). In that year he made suicide under the pressure of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. After that, he was declare an traitor, polyagent, spy, sabotator, etc. Naturally the name of the Academy was change immediately. In this moment, our poor Kico Kotani, was obligated to cancel with bistouries the old name of his “polifoto” of the times of Academy.

Regards,

Artan

[Bob]

Thank you Artan - here better scans - exterior and interior.

[Bob]

[Zaim Qyteza]

Dear Bob,

Thank you for the pictures.

Attach the picture of the breast badge of the Albanian Military Academy. He was used on the period 1961-1966 and is very very rare one. It is in gild bronze with the initials “AU” (Akademia Ushtarake = Military Academy).

Regards,

Artan

[Bob]

Artan - thanks for this fascinating additional details. And also wonderful to see yet another "new badge - look forward to your third book on Albanian badges:)

[Bob]

Thanks to Elvis, now have translations for the documents in this last group (unfortunately, while it is fun to read the typical socialist kind of language, it doesn't give much real detail on what the guy did):

1) Comrade Kico Kotani

On the 27th anniversary of founding of Border Arms we thank you for:

Trying hard in political and military training of yourself and your unit, you have reached high results at work, by being an example in strengthening the discipline and military alertness in guarding and defending the holy borders of our socialist fatherland, from enemies of all colors (type)

2) C. Kico Kotani is awarded Medal for Bravery with this motivation:

A brave Warrior, has been an example of resistance and self sacrifice at war against the invaders and traitors for the liberation of Fatherland and Albanian People

Presidium of Peoples Assembly of Peoples REpublic of Albania

Note: it certainly sounds like Kotani was not a "stuck in the rear doing paperwork" kind of soldier!

3) C. Kico Kotani is awarded Medal of Liberation with this motivation:

Has been part of Albanian National Liberation Army and with weapon in hand has fought against the invaders and traitors until complete liberation of Fatherland and Albanian People.

4) Certificate C. Kico Kotani:

On the 10th anniversary of creation of Albanian Peoples Army (10th July 1943 - 10th of july 1953) based on Decree of Peoples Assembly Presidium on 30th of May 1953 is awarded with medal "10th Anniversary of the Armed Forces"

on the 10th of July 1953 is still in service of Albanian Armed Forces.

5) Peoples Republic of Albania

Presidium of Peoples Assembly of Albanian Peoples Republic Awards

C. Kico Kotani with Order Red Star of Second Class

For honest and untiring work during 10 years of service in Peoples Army

6) Peoples Republic of Albania

Presidium of Peoples Assembly of Albanian Peoples Republic

Awards C. Kico Kotani with Order of Scanderbeg of Third Class

For honest and untiring work during 15 years of service among Armed Forces of Albanian Peoples Republic

7) Peoples Republic of Albania

Presidium of Peoples Assembly of Albanian Peoples Republic

Awards C. Kico Kotani with Order of Military Service of Third Class

For honest and untiring work during 20 years of service among Armed Forces of Albanian Peoples Republic

8) Albanian Peoples Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Internal Affairs - Tropoje (a place in Northern Albania, I visited this a year or two ago)

Praise Award Comrade Kico Kotani

Party Committee and Department Staff express gratitude because:

During exercise with units of Department of Internal affairs you have been distinguished in leading military operations and completing tasks successfully in all given scenarios. You have been disciplined and untiring by surpassing all difficulties during exercise.

9) Peoples Republic of Albania

Presidium of Peoples Assembly of Albanian Peoples Republic

Awards C. Kico Kotani with Order of Military Service of Second Class

For high honesty at work, for well organizing and leading of appointed tasks and for developing political military training, thus by contributing in defending and strengthening Albanian Peoples Republic.

10) Albanian Peoples Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Internal Affairs - Tropoje

Praise Award Comrade Kico Kotani

Party Committee and Department Staff gives you this Praise Award for discipline and completing over two norms (the amount of work requested) during the concentrated actions organized from Party Committee of the region in honor of completion of work of 10th Plenum of Central Committee of Albanian Labor Party.

11) Albanian Peoples Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs Department of Internal Affairs - Tropoje

Certificate Comrade Kico Kotani

Is awarded the TITLE EXEMPLARY WORKER Kuader (used for people working for military and administration)

with this motivation:

Exemplary worker for defending with diligence and bravery the victories of building socialism and for excellent results in military political and professional training, for high discipline and well defending the state and peoples assets.

12)

During the first half year 1977 has been distinguished

in learning very well the lessons of the 7th Congress of Albanian Labor Party, in defending the state assets and securing the convicts, has been diligent, ready and disciplined in given tasks.

13) Giving the badge Exemplary Officer

Officer Kico kotani is distinguished in fulfilling tasks given by Party, in ideo political and military professional training, he has a pure moral figure, has good behavior with colleagues, he fights with perseverance for well administration of military assets and has developed the saving concept.

14) Praise Award

C. Kico Kotani

Distinguished for untiring deeds and work in successful completion of electoral campaign of 27th April 1986 elections

15) Republic of Albania

Council of Ministers

Certificate

Awarded to Kico Kotani

medal for excellent contribution in Liberation of Fatherland

16) Albanian Peoples Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs

Department of Internal Affairs Tropoje

(These departments were main means of oppression)

[jeffskea]

Here is a small documented group I picked up recently, when I bought them I was unaware they were awarded to the same person so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out.

The group includes:

A Medal for Bravery, type 1, awarded to Sotir Cimo Rapo on 21 Aug 1948, No. 685, the citation is roughly translated:

"For service to the homeland border protecting against violations and provocations by fascist 'monarko' Greeks, is distinguished for bravery, loyalty, and determination."

Then there is a Medal for Meritorious Service to the People, type 1, var. 2 (vertical pin with 'Per Sherbim Te Mire Popullit' on reverse) also awarded to Sotir Cimo Rapo on 12 Dec 1969, No. 4618

Finally a Medal for the 10th Anniversary of the Army 1953, awarded to Sotir Cimo Rapo on 10 July, 1953, certificate no. 28.

The certificate also states that Sotir Rapo was born in Cerven, Fier, Albania in 1921. So he would have been 27 during the Greek Civil War and 48 when he received his Medal for Meritorious Service to the People. He would have been at the right age to serve during WWII but am not aware if he was awarded a Liberation Medal or not.

Jeff

Edited December 9, 2011 by jeffskea