This Hungarian medal was struck to commemorate the incorporation of Siebenbürgen (perhaps better known as Transylvania) into Hungary, this medal in “war metal” was instituted on 1 October 1940. Transylvania was taken from Transylvania.
The obverse has the bust of King Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490) while the reverse holds the arms of Siebenbürgen.
This is a medal commemorating the gains that Hungary made at the expense of Czechoslovakia in the 1st Vienna Award of 1938.
On 2 November 1938, the First Vienna Award transferred to Hungary parts of Southern Slovakia and Carpathian Ruthenia, an area amounting to 11,927 km² and a population of 869,299 (86.5% of which were Hungarians according to a 1941 census). Between 5 November and 10 November, Hungarian armed forces peacefully occupied the newly transferred territories.
This medal, made to resemble the Fire Cross, is dated 1943 on one arm and 2003 on another.
This medal celebrates the part Hungary took in the partition of Yugoslavia by the Axis in 1941. The German Army invaded Yugoslavia and quickly crushed Yugoslavian armed resistance. Horthy dispatched the Hungarian Third Army to occupy Vojvodina. Later, Hungary forcibly annexed sections of Baranja, Bačka, Međimurje, and Prekmurje.
This is the Italian Republican version of this medal, indicating post 1949.
This medal was issued to all the Italian Volunteers who served in the Italian Fascist forces in Spain. My one is missing its ribbon loop.
This medal, missing its ribbon, commemorates the Italian invasion and defeat of Ethiopia in 1936.
This medal was instituted in 1948 and awarded to all forces that served Italy between 11 June 1940 and 8 September 1943.
This medal, struck by the Republican Government that rose in Italy after the overthrow of Mussolini, was issued to all members of the resistance and the Republican forces that served after 1943.
This medal is from the Saddam Hussein regime and was awarded to all personnel involved in the invasion of Kuwait and the Coalition battles in the year after.
The Victory Medal (Nut al-Nasir): instituted by the Prince Regent ‘Abdu’l Illah, on behalf of King Faisal II, in 1945. Awarded in commemoration of the Allied victories over the Axis powers in 1945.
This Iraqi medal was awarded to the troops involved in the overthrow of the pro-Axis Iraqi government in 1941.
This medal was awarded to all members of the Iraqi Levies who served in WW2. In 1940/41 the Iraqis joined the Axis and invited a German mission to enter the country. The British sent a column into Iraq and was able to overthrow the Iraq government and put in place a puppet government which stayed in power until the mid-50’s. The photos below include an early issue example.
This medal, from the Principality of Transjordan, was issued to all citizens of the mandate who served in WW2. Trans-Jordan later became the Kingdom of Jordan. It’s Arabic name is “Midalat al-Zarari al-Herb al-Iradani Lasanat 1939-1945“.
This is the Emergency Service Medal 1939-1946 issued by the Republic of Ireland. For service with good conduct between 3 September 1939 and 31 March 1946 this medal came in eleven variations depending on the unit or branch of service. I have four of these variants. This one is for AN FORSA COSANTA AITIUIL : the Local Defence Force.
This is the Indonesian Guerrilla Star awarded to all those who fought in the War of Independence from the Dutch, 1945-1949.
This Yugoslavian medal was created in August 1943. The words mean “Freedom to the People!, Death to Fascism”. Awesome. Some 120,636 of these were awarded apparently although this one is numbered 139370.
Instituted on 14 September 1945, this order was awarded for services in connection with the 9 September 1944 uprising, for outstanding services in the establishment of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, and for bravery in action by officers and leaders of the People’s Army. Two divisions were created, a Military and a Civil Division, each having three classes. The Military Division can be recognized by its insignia having crossed swords. Two types of the order exist : a screw-back type and a ribboned one. The central medallion depicts a Bulgarian patriot, Vasil Levski.
Instituted on 14 September 1945, this order was awarded for services in connection with the 9 September 1944 uprising, for outstanding services in the establishment of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, and for bravery in action by officers and leaders of the People’s Army. Two divisions were created, a Military and a Civil Division, each having three classes. The Military Division can be recognized by its insignia having crossed swords. Two types of the order exist : a screw-back type and a ribboned one. The central medallion depicts a Bulgarian patriot, Vasil Levski.
This medal was awarded in 1975 to all surviving veterans of the war against Germany. This marked the 30th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazi’s.
This medal, from Bulgaria was given to surviving veterans in 1995, upon the 50th anniversary of the end of the European War.
All soldiers and partisans acting on behalf of the unity government instituted in Bulgaria after the Soviet occupation of 1944 were entitled to this medal.
To commemorate the coup whereby the Ba’ath party took control, 8 March 1963, to all members of the Syrian armed forces serving on 9 March 1963 or recalled during the following 2 years.
This Syrian medal was awarded for valour and service in the conflict with Israel, 1948-49.
This Syrian medal was awarded to all members of the Armed Forces serving on 1 August 1971 to mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Syrian Army.
Kiwi Medals 