Red Star.

[Lapa]

Jeff,

The enamel on the Red Star definitely looks like it was exposed to high temperature (you can tell by the look of it).
Definitely an interesting set here!

Marc

[desantnik]

This could account for the scorch marks and the interesting enamel. Paul, have you seen enamel like this?

Yes, in my former life I did jewelry repair work and this enamel looks overexposed to heat. Sounds like an interesting, as well as, true story.

[Dave]

I'll be quite fascinated to see what they come back as. The Red Star and Valor medal do look ground dug, or they were kept in a shed for many many years! (A friend once found a Suvorov 3rd in a toolbox at a dacha once...) :wow Please do keep us posted!

Dave

[HuliganRS]

Even if you can find just the name of the recipient, there are way to look up where and how the soldier died.

One of my grandfathers was a tankist and all we knew that he was KIA.
My grandmother wanted to find out what and where he was killed and was able to find him through some WWII veterans organization here in US. They were able to tell us that he burned in his tank defending Moscow (down to which village). This is more than the USSR governmet would ever tell my grandmother about her brother...

Rusty.

[jefflgarrison]

Not doubting you but how can WWII veterans organizations in the US find out this information? That seems strange.

From the seller.

"Two medals come from between Bolosławiec and Zgorzelec (close to Görlitz on the German border). One comes from near Luban. These are places where the German Army put up a stiff resistence and the Russian's lost a lot of men"

Now, my question is. Can anyone elaborate on battles east of Görlitz?

[ANZAC]

Jeff

From what I know in early March of 1945, German High Command attempted to break the encirclement of Fortress Breslau by concentrating in the area of Zgorzelec (Gorlitz) seven divisions including four panzer divisions.

German attack began on March 3rd and its main force fell on weakened 3rd Guards Tank Army. After heavy fighting, German attack was stopped and both sides suffered heavy losses.

I haven't studied a great deal on this front but I can probably find out more if you need.

Brendan:thumbsup

[jefflgarrison]

Ok, I got the star in the mail yesterday. Here are the photos. The 5 o'clock arm shows a definate curve down like the silver softened due to heat.

BTW, (not that I do this will all my stars but...) putting it to the smell test, the star gives off the unmistakable odor of something having been dug out of a trash burn pile.

[Lapa]

jeff,

By the look of it, it definitely went to Hell. I think that the seller's story is true.

Marc

[jefflgarrison]

Can anyone point me in the right direction where I can do more research on the MzPP Red Stars?

I am curious about who was doing the engraving of the numbers. They are so "sloppy" that it seems that kids or teenagers might have been employeed for this job.

Any info is greatly appreciated.


Also, on another note. Maybe someone reading this will have an answer. I posted a question about a group of ORS medals that have a curved bayonet. I am wondering if anyone has any information in regards to this variation?

Thanks.

[Lapa]

Jeff,

The Mondvor site is always a good place to start ;)

Marc