Former Forum Competitions.

[Art]

Greetings new collectors of Soviet awards! We have a contest for you!

If you have just begun your Soviet awards collecting odyssey and are wondering what award you should start off with, we have the answer. A generous collector and fellow member of this forum has donated a Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad, Variation 1 (see picture of the actual award that will be given away below). All you have to do to have a chance at winning this fine specimen is reply to this message and ask to be included in the drawing. If you are one of the lurkers who have not registered...well, register! and reply here for your chance to win. This thread will be stuck at the top of the General Talk group until 6-10-2008. I will then close the thread and write all the names on slips of paper and select the winner through a random drawing. Contest Rules:

1. You must be a new collector. (We'll know)
2. You must pay shipping. (and insurance if you want that)

General information and awarding criteria for this medal:

"Established 22 December 1942. Awarded to all servicemen of the Soviet Army, Navy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and civilians who took part in the defense of Stalingrad. The defense of Stalingrad was from 12 July 1942 until 19 November 1942. The 6th German Army began the offensive towards Stalingrad in 1942. Heroic defenders fought for more than 140 days under increasing enemy numbers. On 19 November 1942, the Soviet Army launched a counter-offensive, surrounding and defeating the entire 6th German Army. Stalingrad was awarded the Title of "Hero City" on 1 May 1945, and is one of only four "Hero Cities" in the USSR (the others being Sevastopol, Leningrad, and Odessa.) It is made of brass. Approximately 760,000 were issued."

GOOD LUCK!

[RedMaestro2]

Pick Me!

Thanks for holding this contest, whoever it was that donated the medal

-Alex

[Art]

Well, looks like it's going to be an easy drawing so far! Thanks everyone for saving me from "writers cramp"

[Lapa]

Art,

Hang on, one more week to go. The flood gates could open at any time between now and then

Marc

[pacha b]

Hello my name's Nick and i'm a sovietaholic.



Nice one Art.

[RedMaestro2]

I would like to thank the donor for his extraordinary generosity. It is not often that one comes across someone who would not only hold such a contest for new collectors, but also grant the "loser" a prize as well. I really appreciate this! This Stalingrad Medal is exactly what I need for my collection! Thank you so much!

-Alex

[pacha b]

Thanks Art.

Wow to be rewarded for having a cool hobby,
I'm liking this.
Many thanks to the generous collector who donated the prizes,

SMA ALL THE WAY.

Cheers,

Nick.

[marcotk]

I would like to add my voice to the general choir. Great to see such generous acts! My most felt compliments to the donor and good luck to the winners!

Greetings,
Marco

[Esteban_cool]

Me too would like to compliment the donor. When my collection grows more I´d also like to do the same thing for the sake of newbies.

Congratulations to the winners. A stalingrad medal is really a nice piece, especially when you begin collecting

[Art]

Forum Scavenger Hunt Contest

This contest is open to all forum members except moderators. The contest will run for two weeks, beginning February 22, 2009 and will end March 8, 2009.

The contest will consist of 14 questions, one question posted per day. All the answers will be given at the end of the contest. The question will require the contestant to search the forum for the answer to the question asked. All answers are found in the forum. There will be a few clues given for each question. The individual who correctly answers the most questions will be the winner of the grand prize, a medal for the Liberation of Prague, and a medal for Victory over Germany, awarded to Senior Sergeant Mikhail Dmitrievich Doka, by the 97th Guards Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion. A very nice set. This group was purchased from Brendan at war in pieces (ANZAC here on the forum). Please see attached pics. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker question will be asked. If there still remains a tie, winner will be determined by random drawing of the tie-"ees".

Brendan has generously donated two Bravery Medals as runner-up prizes. At the end of the contest, all those who have answered at least 5 of the 14 questions correctly will participate in a random drawing where two contestants will each win one of the medals. If you have any questions, please ask. Good Luck to everyone.