Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) A few days ago, these three documents to BORB?NDI J?NOS were offered for sale on the Sale Page of the GMIC. While I researched them Christphe bought them! Christophe has asked that I share my research so here I am.The first document was Polish and for the non-portable "Order of Grunwald". The criteria for this award was similar to the Polish "Brotherhood in Arms" medal except that it went primarily to Eastern Block military commanders and to distinguished WWII veterans. The cased medal displayed with the award document is from my personal collection.The case has a red crinkly surface and does not have a latch. It measures 14.1cm (5 9/16") wide by 18.2cm (7 1/4") long by 2.7cm (1") high. The medal weighs 285 grams (10 ounces) and measures 8.1cm (3 1/4") wide by 10.2cm (4 1/8") long.First the cover of the award document. Beside the cover is what appears to be a Hungarian translation of the Polish text on the inside of the document. Edited January 15, 2009 by Gordon Craig
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 Here is a rough translation of what the Hungarian document says. It will give you an idea of what the Poles had to say about this award."In the year 1410 the Polish, Lithuanian, Smolensk, Kiev, Czechoslovakia, and Masovia armies united in a common battle against the Knights Templar and won a mighty victory at Grunwald. (more commonly familiar to us as Tannenburg)In 1945 the Countries National Council leaders decided the Polish people should fight shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet soldiers to a heroic victory against the Prussians. The Poles were determined to fight for their home after centuries old oppression under the feet of Fascism. The freedom loving Soviet Union has been fighting Hitlerism hard for years to rescue the world from fascist barbarism. The third Grunwald will bring welcome peace to fellow countrymen. The Grunwald medal is a symbol of victory over fascism."
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The interior of the document cover showing the closed award document.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The award document opened and showing the Polish text.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The back of the document when it is closed.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The top of the case of the Grunwald Award.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The next document is the Hungarian carrying document that allows the carier to wear the Czechoslovakian Brotherhood in Arms medal. It indicates that the medal was presented to BORB?NDI J?NOS by the President of the Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic and gives the name of the award in Hungarian. I do not know if the date on the document signifies the date the award was given or the date the document ws prepared.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The obverse of the medal courtesy of Michael Gallagher.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The reverse of the medal. Again courtesy of Michael.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The Hungarian carrying document for the Hungarian Order of the Red Star. The date on this document would indicate the correct date of the award.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 A cased Hungarian Order of the Red Star from my collection.
Gordon Craig Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 A brief bio of BORB?NDI J?NOS.J?nos Borb?ndi (Balatongy?r?k, 1923-Budapest, 1994)His original profession was engine fitter. Entered the Communist Party in 1945. Graduated in the 1950?s from the University of Economic Studies in Budapest. Attended the Academy of the Soviet Communist Party from 1955 to 1958. He was the secretary of the party between 1949 and 1953 of the DIM?VAG in Di?sgyőr, and of the Lenin Steel Mill also in Di?sgyőr between 1953 and 1955. Between 1958 and 1961 he was the party secretary of the II. ker?let (second district) of Budapest. He was deputy state secretary and political head of the Ministry of Defense between 1961 and 1966 (as a general major of reserve). Between 1966 and 1974 he led the adminstrative section of the MSZMP Central Commitee. Between 1974 and 1984 he was deputy prime minister. Awarded the Polish Order of Grunwald on 25 September, 1964; Czech Socialist Friendship/Brotherhood Order First Class, on 8 March 1973; Hungarian Order of the Red Star, on 20 March 1965. Lived as pensioner after 1985.Regards,Gordon
seb16trs Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 hello Gordon, I believe the nice document for the grunwald badge is dedicated to this very badge:
Ed_Haynes Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 What a nice set. The custodian is very lucky.
hunyadi Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Well - since banging my head againt the wall till I bleed for missing out on this opportunity.. I thought that I would add my little part about the Brotherhood medal. The one that Gordon posted is actualy for the 3rd Class. I was lucky one day in getting this cased and documented 1st Class, probably to a Polish officer or civilian...http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25585
Gordon Craig Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 seb16trs,Thanks for your post. You are probably correct and I guess I need to do more research here. I had seen this document and the medal from my collection posted together before and assumed they belonged together.Charles is also correct and I never thought about that until after I went to bed last night. In a rush to put up the thread before I left for Vienna today and posted the wrong picture. I'll have to post the correct medal/ribbon when I return.Regards,Gordon
Christophe Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Thanks Gordon and all for you help in knowing more who is Janos Borbandi. I will myself also try to know more about him, and will certainly post additional infos as soon as I get them. Many thanks again, Gordon.Cheers.Ch. (happy to be lucky... sometimes )
Ulsterman Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 Thanks Gordon!! Great thread.Ah- I wish they'd been mine.Great pieces.
Gordon Craig Posted January 17, 2009 Author Posted January 17, 2009 (edited) Thanks Gordon and all for you help in knowing more who is Janos Borbandi. I will myself also try to know more about him, and will certainly post additional infos as soon as I get them. Many thanks again, Gordon.Cheers.Ch. (happy to be lucky... sometimes )Christophe,Yes it would be interesting to learn more about this man. I have a few more comments to add once I get back to Budapest.I should have given my sources for the bio. The English material came from the files of Radio Free Europe. Corroberation of this material was provided by a Hungarian collector collegue, plus some additional material, that he got from Hungarian language sources.Regards,Gordon Edited January 17, 2009 by Gordon Craig
seb16trs Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 The award document opened and showing the Polish text.here's my document. I suggest a new thread if you enjoy it on the other socialst countries section.
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