08-25-2007, 11:10 AM
pacha b Wrote:The main thing i don't understand is why! if it's a civilian award why put such effort into a badge! which is why researching awards i noticed a lot of similarities with orders from 1935/6 almost like it was a special project done at 25% scale what do you think, also have you ever seen anything like it before ?
There was a big push for military preparedness in the 1930's. Although Stalin was caught with his pants down on the actual invasion, the Soviet Union knew armed conflict with Germany was inevitable. There were similar promotional drives for parachuting, tank production, interest in aviation, etc.
Also, another thing you don't take into account when you admire the quality of the badges. They are nicely made, expensive badges. Unlike a capitalist economy, if the state gives priority to something (this paramilitary preparative program) it gets priority. Another example of this is the lavish and beautiful Russian metro system. In the West public transportation is drab and utilitarian, but there it was the showpiece of what the State was doing for the people, thus they have beautiful statues, mosaics, etc.
