Soviet Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz

[Ed_Haynes]

Not sure we quite have the "where" of this . . . quite . . . ??

You may have it, say it?

[Christophe]

I think it is on the State Kremlin Palace (previously the Palace of Congresses).

Ch.

[Ed_Haynes]

Ding! You win, as expected, Christophe. Simon gets honorable mention.

Sorry mine was so easy . . .

[Christophe]

Ed,

Frankly, Simon did the hard job, in reminding that Putin unveiled such a plaque and giving us the context (when the Order has been created). I then just had to find the place ...

I therefore propose that Simon is the winner. It seems fair to me.

Do you agree ?

Ch.

[Ed_Haynes]

Fair enough ... Simon ... ???

[Christophe]

Simon, your turn now!!!!!

Ch.

[Guest RedThreat]

Christophe and Ed,

Thank you. Let me think a bit about the next question.

Simon

[Guest RedThreat]

This general has a rare combination of orders. He was also awarded Suvorov 1 and Kutuzov 2. Unfortunately, I can't find a photo of him wearing all his decorations.

1. What's his name?

2. What is he most known for?

Edited October 2, 2006 by RedThreat

[Guest RedThreat]

I found a pic of Tank King of Russia cover. Now, we can see a tiny photo of our mystery man with all his orders. Why didn't I save a full size photo when I saw it in the Red Star?

Edited October 3, 2006 by RedThreat

[Bryan]

2. What is he most known for?

2. Tank King of Russia?

1. Isaac Moiseyevich Salzmann

He was Major General of Engineer-Tank Service : he was in charged of a thank factory.

He got the Hero of Socialist Labor award and Stalin price.

3 Order of Lenins, Order of Suvorov (1st Class), Kutuzov (2nd Class) and 2 Orders of the Red Banner.

From the picture posted before, it seems he also had at least 1 Red Star.

Thanks to yandex!

Edited October 4, 2006 by Soviet

[Guest RedThreat]

Congratulations, Soviet

The Tank King, as he was called by British and American media, was Narkom of tank production in 1942-43.

For supplying Red Army with new KV tanks and other weapons during Finnish War, the head of Kirovsky Plant Zaltsman was awarded Labor RB. In the fall of 1941, under German air strikes and artillery bombardment, the Plant located only 4 km from the front line increased its production. Zaltsman was made HSL. Then, the factory was evacuated to Chelyabinsk where along with other evacuated facilities, it was to become the the center of tank production. In February 1942, after a phone conversation with Stalin, Zaltsman was sent to Nizhniy Tagil to organize production of T-34 using equipment of several evacuated factories. Here our tank king had a confrontation with Beria's men who insisted that Nizhniy Tagil factory must continue to manufacture parts for 76mm gun. Zaltsman replied, "Comrade Stalin gave me an order to organize production of T-34. I will squash anyone who gets in my way under [tank's] tracks." After a few minutes, L. P. Beria himself called. In the end of an unpleasant conversation, Isaak Moiseevich assured Beria that production of gun parts will actually increase after the factory is up and running. Lavrentiy Pavlovich seemed content with the answer but said in place of good bye, "Zaltsman, make sure your tracks don't snap." After a short time, T-34 were rolling off the assembly line and our hero was decorated with 3rd o. of Lenin. In July of 1942, Stalin sent Zaltsman back to Chelyabinsk to organize production of T-34 within a month without interrupting manufacture of KV. 34 days later the first T-34 made in Chelyabinsk was sent to the front. A year later the factory was given a task to begin manufacture of IS tanks in 50 days. The task was completed successfully and Zaltsman got o. of Red Star. Early in 1945, the factory started making IS-3 and its director was decorated with Kutuzov 2. Soon after the victory, Zaltsman contribution to the war effort was considered worthy of Suvorov 1. In 1949, the new wave of repressions swept through the country. Isaak Moiseevich was thrown out of the Party, demoted to the position of a shift supervisor at a small factory in Orel but his decorations weren't taken away from him. In 1955, he was rehabilitated and in 1957 became director of an experimental mechanical plant in Leningrad.

Hope you found it interesting. It's your turn, Soviet.

Simon

[Bryan]

#1 Where was this picture taken?

#2 What was special with the statue?

#3 When was this monument removed?

#4 What stands at this place right now?

[Christophe]

Thanks Simon for your question.

What is interesting in this little quiz is not only the question and the "pleasure "to find or get the right answer, but also what we learn from it. And such small texts or explanations are very valuable and we all appreciate them.

Thanks again.

Now, back to Soviet question : I recognize well here Bryan interest (that I share with him) for architecture things. Not find to "work" on it now, but certianly will come back...

Any idea or guess from the Others ?

Ch.

[Bryan]

Small hint: The city where the statue once was is a well known East European "liberated" city.

[Alfred]

Prag

[Bryan]

#1 Where was this picture taken?

Question #1 is answered. Yes this was in Prague.

[Alfred]

I was on this bridge last summer holiday, when I visited the city of Prag for one day.

There was a big Josef Stalin figure on the Letensky hill. I think the figure was removed in 1962 and

they build there an big metronome. An instrument for musician to hold the takt in a song.

regards

Andreas

[Ed_Haynes]

I find this very interesting. But I know a little about medals, and a little about history, but nothing about the narrowly fine points of architecture. Educate me?

[Bryan]

Andreas won this round!

It was the world biggest Stalin monument ever made and wasunveiled by Czechoslovakia's Communist regime on May 1, 1955. The monument only stand there for 7 years. Too heavy to be displaced, it was blown to pieces.

Here is an article of interest : http://www.radio.cz/en/article/66095

[Bryan]

I find this very interesting. But I know a little about medals, and a little about history, but nothing about the narrowly fine points of architecture. Educate me?

There are plenty of books about Soviet period architecture. Too bad I spent much money on medals and not enough on books!

I am very much interested in Communist architecture and I also have lot to learn.

[Christophe]

Bryan,

Interesting. And what stands at its place today ?

Ch.

[Bryan]

Interesting. And what stands at its place today ?

Like Andreas said, there is now a big metronome. If you guys like communist architecture, I recommand a ride in Prague's metro. The design is so nice.

[Christophe]

Like Andreas said, there is now a big metronome. (...)

Oooops, sorry Bryan . Did not read the post carefully enough...

Ch.

[Christophe]

So, Andreas, it's your turn now .

Ch.

[Christophe]

Andreas (Alfred) ?

Your turn, now...

Ch.