06-09-2002, 01:37 PM
Hi Munroe,
As you know, French medals are not named nor numbered, so you really need to get hold of the award documents (rather diplomas in this case).
Regarding the Soviet awards, the ones awarded to the squadron are kept at the squadron home base (not too sure where it is today, but I guess I could find out). As far as I Know, the various groups should still be held by the recipients (a few are still alive like de la Poyne, who is also the Secretary of the Order of Liberation) or their families.
The Normandie Niemen squadron has acquired a quasi-mithical status in France (and to some degree in Russia too as I believe that there is a Red Army division bearing that name), so most of these groups would be very hotly desired (to say the least) in France. It is possible that some of the awards are now in the Army Museum in the Invalides (where Napoleon's mausoleum is).
Being in Australia at the moment makes it somewhat difficult to track and verify, but I should be back there within a couple of months and may be able to get more information.
Marc
As you know, French medals are not named nor numbered, so you really need to get hold of the award documents (rather diplomas in this case).
Regarding the Soviet awards, the ones awarded to the squadron are kept at the squadron home base (not too sure where it is today, but I guess I could find out). As far as I Know, the various groups should still be held by the recipients (a few are still alive like de la Poyne, who is also the Secretary of the Order of Liberation) or their families.
The Normandie Niemen squadron has acquired a quasi-mithical status in France (and to some degree in Russia too as I believe that there is a Red Army division bearing that name), so most of these groups would be very hotly desired (to say the least) in France. It is possible that some of the awards are now in the Army Museum in the Invalides (where Napoleon's mausoleum is).
Being in Australia at the moment makes it somewhat difficult to track and verify, but I should be back there within a couple of months and may be able to get more information.
Marc
