This common medal was awarded for service during the First Sino-Japanese War in 1931-34. Its companion medal may be seen here 1937-1945 China Incident Campaign Medal
Archive for WW2
1931-1934 China Incident Campaign Medal
Posted in 1919-1938 Medals with tags China, Empire of Japan, WW2 on February 22, 2026 by The DudeThe New Zealand Service Medal 1946-49
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Empire of Japan, New Zealand, Occupation of Japan, WW2 on February 22, 2026 by The Dude
This medal is specifically awarded to New Zealanders for service in post-war Japan. It was principally introduced to recognise personnel serving with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan and so is sometimes referred to as the J Force medal.
US Anti-Japanese Cinderella
Posted in Uncategorized with tags Empire of Japan, Fuck the Japanese, Propaganda, United States, WW2 on August 25, 2025 by The Dude
A neat and simple little item dating from 1941/42, early in the Pacific War. This is what’s known as a Cinderella. To quote Google “A Cinderella postal refers to Cinderella stamps, which are non-postal labels that resemble postage stamps but are not issued by a government postal authority for the purpose of carrying mail. Named after the neglected character in the fairy tale who was excluded from the ball, these labels served other purposes like advertising, promoting charities (such as Christmas seals), raising funds, or for private local posts. They are not valid for legitimate postage but are collected and studied by philatelists for their diverse themes and historical significance.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Autriche Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Austria, France, WW2 on March 10, 2025 by The Dude
This is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Autriche” for participation in operations to liberate Austria from Nazi rule. This bar was an unofficial one, but one that was tolerated by the authorities.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Grande Bretagne Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, United Kingdom, WW2 on February 9, 2024 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Grande Bretagne” for participation in air operations flown from a UK territory base between 25 June 1940 and 8 May 1945.
A Birchall in the RAF
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, RAF, United Kingdom, WW2 on November 8, 2023 by The Dude
This group belonged to Frederick Birchall. Frederick was an aero engine fitter before the war and he served in a similar role during WW2. He ended the war as a Warrant Officer II (Fitter), deploying to RAF airfields in France and Germany.
Atlantic Star with Air Crew Europe and France & Germany Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Battle of the Atlantic, Bomber Offensive, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 30, 2023 by The DudeThe Atlantic Star was awarded for six months of service afloat or two months for air-crew service and was not awarded unless the recipient was qualified for the 1939-1945 Star by six months of operational service afloat or by two months of airborne service. Therefore, the total requirement was twelve months of service afloat or four months of airborne service. This star is non-conforming since you were only allowed either the F&G bar or the ACE bar to be added, whichever you qualified for first.
An Bonn Seirbhise Eigeandala Variant 4
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Ireland, WW2 on April 30, 2023 by The Dude
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 NA SEIRBHISE REAMHCURAIM IN AGHAIDH AER-RUATHAR : the Air Raid Precautions Organisation.
An Bonn Seirbhise Eigeandala Variant 3
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Ireland, WW2 on April 30, 2023 by The DudeThis 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 NA FORSAI COSANTA : the Defence Forces (Regular Army, Air Corps, Marine Service, etc.).
New Zealand Postal Cinderella
Posted in Stamps with tags New Zealand, WW2 on April 10, 2023 by The DudeA simple little item that has been sitting unloved by me in a drawer. This is a 1938 cinderella, a postal item that was affixed to the envelope that usually contained a message that supported some sort of public program. This one is for the Territorial Force as evidenced by the message “Help Your Territorials – Home Defence Only”.
A Birchall MID in the RAFVR
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, RAF, United Kingdom, Valour Medals, WW2 on November 21, 2021 by The DudeAn almost lost group here to Leading Aircraftsman R.Birchall (1155198) in the RAFVR. The group came with a Welsh Regiment cap badge so I assume he was originally enrolled in that unit before transferring to the RAFVR. He was awarded an MID oakleaf in June 1945.
Atlantique Bar for the Commemorative Medal of the 1939-45 War
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Battle of the Atlantic, France, WW2 on October 8, 2021 by The DudeThis is the bar issued to French service members who served in the Atlantic Theatre between September 3rd 1939 and May 8th 1945. It was intended to be placed on the Commemorative Medal of the 1939-45 War, like this example here.
Anti-Japanese Postcard “Slap the Jap off the Map”
Posted in Paper, Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Empire of Japan, Propaganda, United States, WW2 on September 23, 2021 by The DudeImmediately after the attack on Pearl Harbour, American capitalism and racist jingoism met and fell in love. Their offspring was a flood of dime-store tat that was fed to the public in an ultimately successful attempt to stir feeling enough that they were prepared to spend whatever it took to defeat the Empire of Japan. Here is an example from my collection of a postcard printed for that purpose.
Slap That Jap Propaganda Sheetmusic
Posted in Propaganda Items with tags Anti-Axis, Empire of Japan, Music, Propaganda, United States, WW2 on September 23, 2021 by The DudeHere’s a second variation on the sheet music for that classic agi-prop song, “We’re gonna have to slap the Dirty Little Jap”. The other one I have is here, and the record is here. The lengths the US Government had to go to get the US people fired up for war were pretty extreme at times and resorted to gross caricature and racism in most cases.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Extreme Orient Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Far East, France, Pacific Campaign, WW2 on April 3, 2021 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Extreme Orient” for operations (including in the Indian and Pacific oceans) between 7 December 1941 and 15 August 1945.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Mer Du Nord Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, Maritime Medals, North Sea, WW2 on February 14, 2021 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Mer Du Nord” for Naval Operations in the North Sea between September 3rd 1939 and May 8th 1945.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Mediterranee Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, Maritime Medals, Mediterranean Campaign, WW2 on February 14, 2021 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Mediterranee” for Naval Operations in the Mediterranean between September 3rd 1939 and May 8th 1945.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Manche Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags English Channel, France, Maritime Medals, WW2 on February 14, 2021 by The DudeThis is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bar is “Mache” for naval Operations in the English Channel between September 3rd 1939 and May 8th 1945.
Commemorative Medal of the 1939-1945 War with Allemagne, Liberation and Engage Voluntaire Bar
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags France, WW2 on December 7, 2019 by The Dude
This is a French medal awarded to all participants in recognised formations, fitted with a range of bars depending on the type and theatre of service. In this case the bars are “Allemagne” for all regular forces involved in the German campaign of 1944-1945, the “Liberation” bar for the French Campaign of 1944 and the “Engage Voluntaire” bar to indicate a voluntary enlistment.
A Birchall Killed In Norway
Posted in Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Norway, Operation Archery, RAF, United Kingdom, WW2 on December 7, 2019 by The Dude
This modest little group belonged to John James Burchall-Ward, 997361, 114 Squadron. John was a Sergeant-Observer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was killed in action on the 27th December 1941 when the Blenheim he was helping to crew was shot down into the sea at the island of Vaagso in Norway during Operation Archery. He is buried in the Møllendal Church Cemetery in Bergen.
Novelty Hitler Moustache
Posted in Propaganda Items, Toys with tags Fuck Hitler, Homefront, United States, WW2 on July 22, 2018 by The DudeA little big of home-front propaganda. Probably American due to spelling. Late war and part of the dime store effort to make a penny while appearing to support the war effort.
NW Europe and Korea Group to a Birchall
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, 1945 + Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Korean War, North West Europe, United Kingdom, WW2 on April 15, 2018 by The DudeIn my never ending quest to find and reunite medals to my family surname, usually it’s months of dross with the occasional excellent find. This group falls into the latter. This group is impressed to W.O. 2nd Class F.Birchall, 5.D.G and Lt. F Birchall, 5.D.G.
Frederick served in N.W. Europe, landing through Normandy with the Regiment in July, 1944. He fought through Belgium, the Roer and into Hamburg in 1945. After returning to the U.K., the Regiment was sent to Korea, where Frederick was awarded an MID as well as a short service commission as Lieutenant.
German Rbl.F.36 Gun Optic
Posted in Optics with tags Germany (Third Reich), Heer, Optics, WW2 on February 19, 2018 by The Dude
Lately I have been finding a few artillery and mortar optics. I like them because they are precision equipment and are quite tactile. The optics viewfinder on this one is a bit different as it has a calculating mechanism for tracking a target traversing the field of view. This one was manufactured by Optische Werke G.Rodenstock in München and has their eso code. It is an Rbl.F.36, which stands for Rundblickfehrnrohr 36. It was used on the Pak-36, 38 & 40 as well as smaller artillery tubes.
A Career Navy Birchall in WW1 & WW2
Posted in 1914-1918 Service Medals, Family Groups & Singles with tags Family Groups and Singles, Royal Navy, Torpedoes, United Kingdom, WW1, WW2 on November 11, 2017 by The DudeThis orphaned British War Medal is impressed to K6690 F.BURCHELL L.STO R.N. Luckily today is Remembrance Day, so the Ancestry military records are free. He was hard to track down because the naming of the medal is in error. It belonged to George Victor Burchell, born in Preston in 1896. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy of 12. He served in both WW1 and WW2, however, all of his service post WW1 was on shore stations like HMS Defiance and HMS Vivid. He had postings on HMS Eagle both in 1918 as well as the next Eagle in the mid 30’s. His trade was listed as jeweller/watchmaker and since most of his berths were at torpedo training establishments, I think he most likely serviced the mechanisms in torpedoes. His rank on the medal was Leading Stoker, his final rank in 1942 was Leading Petty Officer.
Hitler Propaganda Postcard
Posted in Paper, Propaganda Items with tags Fuck Hitler, Homefront, Propaganda, United States, WW2 on May 13, 2017 by The DudeAnother simple bit of propaganda, mocking the Fuhrer. Looking at the material that propagandists used to attack the Germans, it focused mostly on Adolf Hitler. He was characterised as being a carpet biter, portrayed as a monkey or a rat or, as in this example, there was a toilet joke in there somewhere. This looks mid-war American, unofficial and designed for the home front. Let’s say it together, Fuck Hitler.
Kiwi Medals 