Mihail Nikolov Ivanov.

[d-riemer]

Here is the Bravery Order that was awarded between 9 September 1944 and 28 March 1950. The army used the royal type and replaced only the inscription ring on the front of the order. The new ring has a little star in the 6 o'clock position.

The order shown is a 4th class, grade 2. The class was, as in the old days, determined by the rank of the recipient. This order was awarded to a captain of the royal army who remained in the 130,000-strong First Bulgarian Army. These former German allies using their German equipment, together with the Soviet army under marshal Tolbukhin, battled the Germans all the way into Austria, losing 30,000 men.

By the time this order was awarded in 1946, Mikhail Ivanov had been promoted to major.

[d-riemer]

In 1954, Mikhail Ivanov of my previous message, now a colonel, received this Medal for Combat Merit (the lowest grade of the PRB Bravery Awards). He was a member of the regular army and I am not sure how he could have received this medal during a time of peace unless the army was used to calm riots of Bulgarian workers that occured in 1953.

[new world]

Dietrich,

Very nice set!!!

William