Albania Order and Medal for Bravery

[Bob]

Attached screwback PRAWEMA order.

[Bob]

And again, although reverse is often most "interesting", what would an award be without the front?

[Eric Schena]

The Order and Medal of Bravery were part of the original series of orders established in July 1945. They were awarded for combat bravery (of course) and continued to be awarded into at least the 1960s. While I have not been able to definitively determine when it was replaced, it would appear that the 1965 overhaul rendered this decoration obsolete and was effectively replaced with the establishment of the Order and medal for Brave Deeds that year. The 1968 regulations, however, still carried it as active, but the 1982 regulations state categorically that they were no longer awarded.

There are still mysteries that abound in the Albanian honors system...

Cheers,

Eric

Edited June 17, 2006 by Eric Schena

[ehrentitle]

PRAWEMA was an East German firm. On East German insignia the PRAWEMA mark is only seen on early items from the 50s thru early 70s. Kevin

[Eric Schena]

Here is the Medal of Bravery, also established in July of 1945. Like it's big brother, it was also rendered obsolete sometime between 1965 and 1980.

[Gerd Becker]

This is my last Albanian Award, a Medal for Bravery:

This seems to be another variation than yours, Eric, right?

Edited June 20, 2006 by Gerd Becker

[Gerd Becker]

Here is a comparison of both Medals. These are definately different dies. Look at the huge differences alone on the soldier. Two different makers?

[Eric Schena]

Hi Gerd:

I have no doubt that IKOM and maybe even Mennica Panswowa struck this medal, however, I have no idea how to tell the difference right now. It is neat to see the subtle die differences though!

Cheers,

Eric

[Eric Schena]

I just got in a Soviet made Yugoslav Order of Bravery with a suspension type that exactly matches one of the two Albanian Medals of Bravery I have in my collection. I strongly suspect Gerd's comparison above with the Medal of Bravery does indeed point to two makers: the USSR and IKOM in Zagreb. There is a NarKomFin receipt for metals used dated July 1945 that says it made several thousand bronze decorations for Albania, so I suspect that many of these Medals of Bravery as well as the Medal of Liberation may be Soviet in origin. I am going to do a little more digging and comparisons. If anyone has some other Medals of Bravery, please show them here

[albania]

ORDER OF BRAVERY MADE BY IKOM BUT PINBACK

[Bob]

Award doc for the order and the medal (for two different people).

Would the degree match the awarding of an order/medal only to 1 specific person?

[Paul R]

ORDER OF BRAVERY MADE BY IKOM BUT PINBACK

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2007/post-2111-1176048794.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2007/post-2111-1176048907.jpg

This must be a presentation piece only, as I cannot see this being practically worn on a uniform otherwise.

[Bob]

The medal document translated (awarded to a woman by the way):

PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

THE PRESIDIUM OF PARLIAMENT OF ALBANIAN PEOPLES REPUBLIC

AWARDS

COMRADE: ZYRA RADHIMA

WITH MEDAL OF BRAVERY

DISTINGUISHED AND BRAVE FIGHTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXAMPLE OF RESISTANCE AND SELF SACRIFICE AT DIFFERENT BATTLES AGAINST INVADERS AND TRAITORS FOR LIBERATION OF FATHERLAND AND ALBANIAN PEOPLE.

DECREE NR. 1526

[Bob]

Order document

PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

THE PRESIDIUM OF PARLIAMENT OF ALBANIAN PEOPLES REPUBLIC

AWARDS

COMRADE: MEHMET REFAT KODRA

WITH ORDER OF BRAVERY

DISTINGUISHED AND BRAVE FIGHTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXAMPLE OF RESISTANCE AND SELF SACRIFICE AT DIFFERENT BATTLES AGAINST INVADERS AND TRAITORS FOR LIBERATION OF FATHERLAND AND ALBANIAN PEOPLE.

DECREE NR. 2178

[Bob]

Make that: an ULTRA rare Ikom one!

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219598020.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2008/post-679-1219598028.jpg

[Anatoly13]

Very interesting variant,Bob!

This is mine - without rivets and not gold colour.

[Anatoly13]

rev and screw

[Anatoly13]

By the way,with the big share of probability it is possible to assert that the first type of the Medal for Bravery was made on Mondvor - Moskow.

[TeaRex]

Hi All,

I was reading this post and I saw a name that I knew. Zyra Radhima. I have a document to I assume the same women, a later award from the General Staff of the Albanian National Liberation Army. Sometime in the 80's I would think.

The front of this small laminated certificate on thick card reads something like...

"Out people, wounded, without bread, in the storms, in the snow. But at all times with high moral, have shown courage without hearing, which will boast future generations of our people"

[TeaRex]

Better add some photos...

[Bob]

How about an attempt to reunite?

[Belaruski]

A nice Mennica made Order that I got this week.

I think it's made with real silver too.

[Kallarati Heroik]

FROM MY COLLECTION

[Kallarati Heroik]

Details makes the difference!

[Georg14]

Left one was made in SU by Krasnokamski Mint (order of 20 / 09-1945), followed by assembly at the Moscow Mint.