Japan Changkufeng and Nomonhan Incidents in the Mirror of the Soviets Awards

[JapanX]

The Battle of Lake Khasan (russian name for Changkufeng Incident) and the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol (russian name for Nomonhan Incident) were undoubtedly two most famous and significant battles during the so-called “Soviet-Japanese Border Wars Period”. Hopefully it will be interesting for collectors of japanese decorations to get acquainted with two soviet awards associated with these Incidents

The Battle of Lake Khasan was started on July 29, 1938 and was ended on August 11, 1938.

For additional info please go to

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

The Battle of Khalkhyn Gol was started on May 11, 1939 and was ended by September 16, 1939.

For additional info please go to

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

[JapanX]

Badge for the Battle of Lake Khasan

It was established on June 5, 1939 on the eve of year anniversary of the battle.

Made in bronze.

All badges were manufactured by Leningrad Mint.

It is believed that around 50 000 were made.

Here it is

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Another one (with interesting patina)

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Pretty salty one

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Now let’s take a look at the very interesting documents for this badge.

An exemplary specimen.

Edited September 3, 2012 by JapanX

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Usually the page with the photo of cavalier is on the right, but there are eccentric documents with photo of cavalier on the left (pasting in error?).

Nice example of such document.

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Another “eccentric” document issued for a woman.

[JapanX]

Standard one issued for a woman.

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Photo gallery of cavaliers of this badge can be found here

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/55520-photo-gallery-of-khasan-badge-cavaliers/

[JapanX]

Badge for the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol

Formally it is a Mongolian Award. Mongolian award that was manufactured in USSR and major portion of which was awarded to citizens of USSR.

Nevertheless it was established by the Presidium of the State Small Khural on August 16, 1940. However first actual awarding by this badge took place only at the end of 1941.

Made in brass (it is believed that first 5 badges issued for top ranking Mongolian and Soviet military officers including Marshal Choibalsan and Marshal Zhukov were made in silver) this badge has two variations. First variation was manufactured in 1941 by Moscow Cooperative of Artists (reverse of these badges shows the relief of the obverse). Second variation was manufactured by the Leningrad Mint in 1946 (these badges have flat reverse). It is believed that around 3000 badges of first variation and around 5500 of second were made. On December 29, 1966 badge was given the statute of the Medal.

Let’s take a close look at them

[JapanX]

Variation 1

[JapanX]

Check out this enamel!

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

[JapanX]

Variation 2

[JapanX]