Military Medal of Cabinda

[Bob]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinda_Province

"Cabinda (also spelled Kabinda) is an exclave and province of Angola, a status that has been disputed by many political organizations in the territory."

The exclave is located in Congo, just north of Angola.

"While the Angolan Civil War largely ended in 2002, an armed struggle persists in the exclave of Cabinda, where some of the factions have proclaimed an independent Republic of Cabinda, with offices in Paris. The Treaty of Simulambuco establishes in Cabinda a Protectorate of Portugal and a number of Cabindan independence movements consider the occupation of the territory by Angola illegal."

What's it all about (if you're cynical): oil... there's lots of it in Cabinda!

So... there's a medal for FLEC - the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_for_the...lave_of_Cabinda

The Cabindan's didn't accept communism / marxism and declared independence in 1975 and 5.000 guerilla's fought for independence against the MPLA (of Angola) which also contained 2000 "foreign" (Soviet/Cuban) fighters.

The Military Medal of Cabinda has been manufactured in a run of 500 by Paul Kramer in Neuchatel in Switzerland. It's awarded immediately during combat, without a diploma or other document. Four foreigners have received this medal and they did receive a document certifying so.

The medal is 45mm in diameter, in bronze. The ribbon is 35mm and represents the colors of the Cabindan flag.

This is the only Cabindan medal.

I'll post scans a bit later this evening... going for a run first :cheers:

[Bob]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993976.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993992.jpg

[JPL]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993976.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2009/post-679-1246993992.jpg

Hi Bob,

What an obscure but yet interesting medal. The construction of the medal reminds me of IVV Medals when I was stationed in Germany.

Jean-Paul

[Herr General]

The font on the top bar makes me almost think of an Irish medal!