Dukla Commemorative Medal.

[KDVR]

Hello friends

Does someone know if copies of this medal exist? What is your opinion about mine? original or copy?

Thank you!

Michael

[Lapa]

KDVR,

All Czech medals appear to be softly struck, so it does not seem to be out of line. Wait for Charlet to chime in, he know those more exotic "destinations" quite well ;)

Marc

[medals73]

Perhaps not what you were asking, but here's one in a Soviet group, documented.

[CtahhR]

Here's a rather worn example with the original fork. Document to follow.

[charlet]

do you mean by worn the dirt on the ribbon? Otherwise the czech coining is known for its "soft touch". Superb medal shown here.

[Tommy]

I like this a lot, it has an almost oil painting like appearance.

[CtahhR]

Worn due to the fact it has quite a few knocks on it either due to wear or rough handling. The price was right so I can't complain. It isn't as poorly struck as some similar Czechoslovak or Polish Medals and due to the design being more subtle than the usual bold Soviet campaign Medals it has more of a western European (France/Belgium) feel rather than Soviet. The fork of course doesn't hinder it feeling French or Belgian. A different beast to her Soviet counterparts but still a very valid campaign Medal for an offensive battle that saw heavy Red Army casualties and a Soviet victory. An event the Czechoslovak regime felt deserved its own award even though over a decade had passed - not as late as the Medal "For The Defence Of Kiev" though.

Here is the A4 sized document. Awarded to Lieutenant Varden Trifonovich Mihalidze/Mihelidze of the 241st Rifle Division.

[CtahhR]

The Battle Of Dukla Pass was just one of many large battles of the Soviet Offensives of 1944-5 but one of only a very select few honoured with a campaign Medal. Lieutenant Mihalidze is a good example of the constant push westwards.

The Battle Of Dukla Pass lasted 8th September to 28th October 1944 and saw Mihalidze lightly wounded on 4th October. Mihalidze had only served at the front from August 1944 but had a very active 10 months.

After being wounded during the Battle Of Dukla Pass, he was then awarded a Red Star for killing 6 Fascists in combat on 18th November 1944. In 1945 he also received 3 gratitude thanks from Stalin.

25th January 1945 "Gzhanuv" (Which is most likely Grybów).
28th January 1945 Dąbrowa Tarnowska.
7th May 1945 Wrocław (This may seem like a long break in action but the Siege Of Breslau started on 13th February 1945).

[charlet]

Czech medals are not always easy to collect, as some important ones do have two diplomas... The complete set for Dukla medal is scarce...

[charlet]

and...the two documents bear the samed number. I don't think the medal is numbered, but it has to be firmly confirmed by a czech collector... Others medals of higher grade are numbered, as all czech orders are.