This is a Greek medal created in 1948 and awarded to recognise all partisans and regular troops who served in the fight against the Nazis. It was also awarded to Allied soldiers involved in the defence of Greece in 1941.
Archive for WW2
The Medal of National Resistance 1941-45
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Greece, WW2 on May 2, 2013 by The DudeCommemorative Medal of the 30th Anniversary of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Empire of Japan, Mongolia, Soviet Union, WW2 on May 2, 2013 by The Dude
The Battles of Khalkhyn Gol (Mongolian: Халхын голын байлдаан; Russian: бои на реке Халхин-Гол; Chinese: 诺门坎事件; pinyin: Nuò mén kǎn shìjiàn) was the decisive engagement of the undeclared Soviet–Japanese border conflicts fought among the Soviet Union, Mongolia and the Empire of Japan in 1939. The conflict was named after the river Khalkhyn Gol, which passes through the battlefield. In Japan, the decisive battle of the conflict is known as the Nomonhan Incident (ノモンハン事件 Nomonhan jiken) after a nearby village on the border between Mongolia and Manchuria. The battles resulted in total defeat for the Japanese Sixth Army.
This medal marks the 30th anniversary of the battle.
The Medal for Combatant Merit Type 1
Posted in Valour Medals with tags Mongolia, WW2 on May 2, 2013 by The DudeThis Mongolian Medal was created in 1941. It was awarded several thousand times. This one has the number 2017 engraved on the rear.
The Medal for Outstanding Acts
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Greece, WW2 on May 1, 2013 by The DudeThis is a Greek medal, instituted in 1940, that was awarded to both civilians and military for acts of an outstanding nature that did not warrant a valour award.
Medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Victory Over Militant Japan
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Mongolia, WW2 on May 1, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued by Mongolia, a sometime Japanese puppet state, a sometime Soviet client.
The Commemorative Medal of the Continuation War 1941-45
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Finland, WW2 on May 1, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was instituted in 1957 and came in two varieties, one in Swedish for the Swedish volunteers and one in Finnish. The Continuation War was how the Finns described their war against the Soviets in 1941, in concert with the Germans. The continuation part refers to the Winter War between Finland and the USSR in 1940.
Commemorative Medal for Loyalty and Military Ability
Posted in 1945 + Medals with tags Slovakia, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was created by the independent rump state of Slovakia formed after the dismantling of Czechosovakia for members of the Slovakian Federation of Volunteer Combatants of 1918-38.
Medal for Foreigners in Tito’s Partisan Forces
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags WW2, Yugoslavia on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was awarded to the foreign fighters who fought as members of Tito’s Partisans for the liberation of Yugoslavia during the Second World War. It was issued shortly after the end of the war. The medal has an inscription on the back that reads “Smrt Fašizmu – Sloboda Narodu”, which translates as “Death to Fascism – Freedom to the People”. That was the slogan of the Yugoslav liberation fighters led by Marshal Tito.
The Medal for the Liberation of Siebenbürgen
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Hungary, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
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.
Medal for the Liberation of Upper Hungary
Posted in 1919-1938 Medals with tags Hungary, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
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.
Hungarian Commemorative Cross of WW2
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Hungary, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This medal, made to resemble the Fire Cross, is dated 1943 on one arm and 2003 on another.
The Medal for the Recapture of South Hungary
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Hungary, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis 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.
Cross for War Merit
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Italy (Republic), WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This is the Italian Republican version of this medal, indicating post 1949.
Souvenir Medallion of the Liberation of Rome
Posted in Medallions & Badges with tags Italian Campaign, Italy (Republic), Unofficial, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This medallion was struck in 1944 and sold locally to the members of the U.S. 5th Army that liberated Rome from the Germans.
Italian Spanish Civil War Volunteers Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Italy (Fascist), WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis medal was issued to all the Italian Volunteers who served in the Italian Fascist forces in Spain. My one is missing its ribbon loop.
The Abyssinian Campaign Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Abyssinia, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Italy (Fascist), WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis medal, missing its ribbon, commemorates the Italian invasion and defeat of Ethiopia in 1936.
The War Commemorative Medal 1940-43
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Italy (Republic), WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
This medal was instituted in 1948 and awarded to all forces that served Italy between 11 June 1940 and 8 September 1943.
The Medal for the War of Liberation
Posted in 1939-1945 Jubilee Medals with tags Italy (Republic), WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis 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.
The Iraq 1945 Victory Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Iraq, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
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.
Medal of the May 1941 Revolt
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Iraq, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis Iraqi medal was awarded to the troops involved in the overthrow of the pro-Axis Iraqi government in 1941.
The Iraq War Medal 1939-1945
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Iraq, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis 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.
The Transjordan WW2 Victory Medal
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals, Rare Medals with tags Jordan, Trans-Jordan, WW2 on April 30, 2013 by The Dude
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“.
An Bonn Seirbhise Eigeandala
Posted in 1939-1945 Service Medals with tags Ireland, WW2 on April 30, 2013 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 AN FORSA COSANTA AITIUIL : the Local Defence Force.
Order for Bravery
Posted in Valour Medals with tags WW2, Yugoslavia on April 30, 2013 by The DudeThis 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.
The Order of the 9th September 1944 Civil Division 1st Class
Posted in 1945 + Medals with tags Bulgaria, Civilian Medals, WW2 on April 28, 2013 by The Dude
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.
Kiwi Medals 