Mongolian Uniforms

[medals73]

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[Urnuh]

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The officer on the right (with army hat) wears the uniform of the People's Voluntary Cavalry Division (similar to Soviet opolchenie) that was created after the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Mongolia,as true ally of the SU, immediately declared the war time situation and the Government called the Mongolians to join the People's Voluntary Cavalry Division units in each province and also donate resources /cash, horses, food, etc/ to the Red Army. As you see on the photo, the officers of the division used different insignia and uniforms. The division functioned for four years and was dissolved after the war with Japan (1945-1946).

[Urnuh]

Here is the photo of an officer wearing the insignia and uniform of the People' Voluntary Cavalry Division. They used this uniforms and insignia until 1944.

The Commander of the People' Voluntary Cavalry Division was Ch. Mijid. He was later promoted to the rank of Major General. He was also one of a few Mongolians awarded with the Tannu-Tuva People's Republic award, namely the Order of the Labor Red Banner. You can see Mijid's picture (with the uniform) in my book, page 78.

[medals73]

The Commander of the People' Voluntary Cavalry Division was Ch. Mijid. He was later promoted to the rank of Major General. He was also one of a few Mongolians awarded with the Tannu-Tuva People's Republic award, namely the Order of the Labor Red Banner. You can see Mijid's picture (with the uniform) in my book, page 78.

Thanks for the reference. I was always amazed that he was allowed to accept and wear that award, especially given Choibalsan's attitude toward Tannu-Tuva and their leaders. Maybe there was just no choice.

[Urnuh]

Marshal of the MPR Kh. Choibalsan during his visit the Khalkhin Gol front in August 1939. Note a Soviet officer dressed in Mongolian Ministry of Internal Affairs officer uniform to Choibalsan's right and then Soviet Representative (Ambassador) to Mongolia Comrade Ivanov to the left. Ivanov apparently is waiting for Choibalsan to get on the car.

[medals73]

I may not have posted this, but shall do now.