Italy - Medals relating to Albania

[Eric Schena]

Hi all:

There are numerous medals that relate to Albania that were issued by Italy, both at the national level on down the line. So, I am starting this thread in the hopes folks will share some of what they have in their collections; the medals, the documents, and even photos of medals in wear. So, open up your archives and share them!

First up is an example of the Italian campaign medal that commemorates Albania's annexation in April of 1939, which ousted King Zog and installed Vittorio Emanuele III as king. There are several varieties, this version, the "Albania Redenta" medal, and the "Spedizione in Albania" medal, all of which share the same black and red striped ribbon.

[Eric Schena]

The next medal I have to share is the commemorative medal for the Greek & Yugoslav campaigns for the 9th Army. In 1940 and 1941, Italy used Albania as a staging ground for several campaigns against Greece and Yugoslavia. The two major components were the 9th and the 11th Army, both of which spent much time in southern and eastern Albania. The 9th Army medal is fantastic: it's in high relief, the places on the map side are named in tiny letters, and most interestingly, it's bilingual (Italian and Albanian).

The 11th Army issued a commemorative cross, however, I do not have one of those.

[Eric Schena]

The Albanian government awarded a small campaign badge to Italian troops who participated in the Greek & Yugoslav campaigns. Examples of that badge as well as authorization to wear documents can be found here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16967

[Eric Schena]

Here's a better detailed view of the 9th Army medal:

[Bob]

So, finally started to dabble in the pre-communist Albania(-related) awards.

Here's a nice set of miniatures:

- United Italy 1848-1918

- Royal Tombs Veteran Guard of Honour Medal

- Victory Medal 1918

- Czechoslovakia War Cross 1918

- Albanian Order of Scanderbeg (reverse centre makers plate ?Raviolo e Gardino, Roma?)

Could somebody please shed some light on the second medal - what's that exactly for? EDIT: and light came: In 1878, King Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of a united Italy, was buried in the Pantheon in Rome rather than in the family crypt of the Savoy ruling family. On 9 August 1900, his son, King Umberto I was also interred there. A guard of honour drawn from veterans was mounted at the tombs and the medal awarded to participants in recognition of their service.

Edited April 11, 2009 by Bob

[Bob]

Reverse

[Bob]

And you might be thinking, what's that "funny" helmet on these Albanian awards. Well, there's a museum in Vienna where you can see for yourself: the set of arms of Skanderbeg!

[Bob]

Close up

[Zaim Qyteza]

The Albanian government awarded a small campaign badge to Italian troops who participated in the Greek & Yugoslav campaigns. Examples of that badge as well as authorization to wear documents can be found here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16967

Dear Eric,

I send to you my list of medals of Italian Army in Albania during WWI and WWII. Unfortunately the list is Albanian.

Regards,

Artan

MEDALJE_ITALIANE.doc

[Eric Schena]

Hi Bob:

That's a fantastic mini set you have there. The Skanderbeg with the maker's plaque makes it all the better! Thanks for sharing! As a side note, where are Skanderbeg's arms/helmet displayed?

Faleminderit, Artan!

That list is very useful - thank you for sharing with us. Do you have any of those medals or photos of them in wear?

Cheers,

Eric

[Bob]

I remember first going to the wrong museum. It's NOT in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, it's on the other side of the street. I believe it was called the Museum fur Volkerkunde inside the Hofburg. They have a huge collection of arms etc.

[Zaim Qyteza]

Hi Bob:

That's a fantastic mini set you have there. The Skanderbeg with the maker's plaque makes it all the better! Thanks for sharing! As a side note, where are Skanderbeg's arms/helmet displayed?

Faleminderit, Artan!

That list is very useful - thank you for sharing with us. Do you have any of those medals or photos of them in wear?

Cheers,

Eric

Dear Eric,

I post here a photo of three Albanian carabineers decorated with the MEDAL AL VALOR MILITARE. Where is the third? The third carabineer is dead in action and the medal goes to his wife. Having regard to the dress of his wife, we can surely imagine that he was a Muslim Albanian. Photo of Greek-Italian War, 1941.

Regards,

Artan

[Bob]

Anybody know a good site where I can look up the Italian ribbons?

First row: Commendatore dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro / Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia / Commendatore dell'Ordine Coloniale della Stella d'Italia

Second row: Commander in the Order of Scanderbeg / Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, Ordine di S. Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta / x / x

Third row: Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit? / x / Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme / Romanian Order of the Crown (knight?)

Edited May 1, 2009 by Bob

[Eric Schena]

Hi Bob:

What a great ribbon bar!

Have a look here: http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/host/itali...edals/index.htm and barring that, try http://www.comandosupremo.com/.

Hope that helps!

Ciao!

Eric

[Eric Schena]

Oh, and I think the "bookend" ribbons on the bottom row are actually the Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit (officer I presume) and the Romanian Order of the Crown.

[lilo]

Anybody know a good site where I can look up the Italian ribbons?

First row: Commendatore dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro / Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia / Commendatore dell'Ordine Coloniale della Stella d'Italia

Second row: Commander in the Order of Scanderbeg / Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, Ordine di S. Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta / x / x

Third row: Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit? / x / Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme / Romanian Order of the Crown (knight?)

Hi,

- The 2nd ribbon from the right - in the middle row - is that of the 'Order of the German Eagle' (Nazi award);

- The 2nd ribbon from the left - in the bottom row - is that of the the 'Vatican Order of St Sylvester';

- the Romanian Order of the Crown is the 1st type of this Order.

Regards

Lilo

Edited May 2, 2009 by lilo

[Bob]

First row: Commendatore dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro / Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia / Commendatore dell'Ordine Coloniale della Stella d'Italia

Second row: Commander in the Order of Scanderbeg / Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, Ordine di S. Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta / 'Order of the German Eagle' (Nazi award) / x

Third row: Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit? / 'Vatican Order of St Sylvester' / Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme / Romanian Order of the Crown (knight?)

===============

Great - thanks. That just leaves one mystery ribbon!

[Bob]

Update - guesstimate from Rick Research on the missing ribbon is "Swedish Vasa or maybe a Persian Lion and Sun". Not being familiar with Italian history, would any of those two options historically make sense?

First row: Commendatore dell'Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro / Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia / Commendatore dell'Ordine Coloniale della Stella d'Italia

Second row: Commander in the Order of Scanderbeg / Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta, Ordine di S. Giovanni di Gerusalemme, di Rodi e di Malta / 'Order of the German Eagle' (Nazi award) / x

Third row: Bulgarian Order of Civil Merit? / 'Vatican Order of St Sylvester' / Ordine Equestre del Santo Sepolcro di Gerusalemme / Romanian Order of the Crown (knight?)

[Bob]

Albanian King Zog era badge: 10th anniversary of the monarchy

Reverse: E. Gardino, Roma

[Bob]

Just in, a nice Italian miniature set, 10 medals mounted on a black silk cord:

* Order of the Crown of Italy (founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861)

* Medal of Military Valor, bronze;

* Silver Messina Earthquake Medal 1908;

* Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, bronze;

* Italo-Turkish War 1911-1912 Silver Medal (hallmarked 800 on reverse in very small letters); medal instituted by Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy on 21 November 1912 for all civilian personnel and Italian and colonial troops who fought against the Ottoman Empire in the Italo-Turkish War of 1911 to 1912

* War Merit Cross, bronze;

* 1915-1918 Campaign Medal, bronze;

* United Italy Medal 1848-1918, bronze;

* Italian Victory Medal, bronze;

* Albania, Order of Skanderberg, silver gilt enameled, maker’s mark from “E. Gardino, Roma”

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2012/post-679-0-91638500-1327617331.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2012/post-679-0-09571300-1327617348.jpg

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2012/post-679-0-65279500-1327617362.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2012/post-679-0-65604900-1327617382.jpg

[RobW]

Just in, a nice Italian miniature set, 10 medals mounted on a black silk cord

Hello Bob,

Nice group. Being a specialist victory medal collector are there any markings on the victory medal? I would expect to see at least '@' and possibly 'SACCHINI' or 'SJ'.

Regards,

Rob

[Bob]

Will have a look this evening - didn't take a very close look yesterday and to be honest the little medals are a bit worn and detailing is very small. Don't have a magnifying glass where I am now either.

Pretty amazing really the level of craftsmanship which goes into these.

[Bob]

Had a closer look, on medals 3/4/5 from left I can indeed see a SJ mark although it's very small and faded, right under the neck on front side of the medal.

[922F]

Bob seems to have cornered Skenderbeg mini & ribbon group market!! All very interesting groups.

Post 13 green ribbon, given context of other awards, is most likely a Hungarian Regency Merit Order; rosette 'wings' imply neck badge & star or grand commander level award. Or maybe green with envy due to Bob's good fortune....

Some people believe that a small swastika device on German Eagle ribbons means pin-back award and the larger size [as here] means a neck badge.... Any other theory?

[Bob]

Document for a Skanderbeg Order Commander’s Cross, 3rd Class, 1st Type, instituted in 1925. Awarding document dated 19th of May 1941 to an Italian Colonel with the name of Mario Stampacchia

These documents for pre-Communist Albanian awards or rare and sometimes very beautiful. Will need to spend some time to research this Colonel.

If anybody could help with translating the document and/or identifying the signatures at the bottom of it, this would be highly appreciated!