Badge "Veteran Of The 318th Mountain Rifle Novorossijsk Division".

[Pobeda45]

318 Order of Suvorov 2nd Class Mountain-Rifle Division

[Pobeda45]

Here's the doc to the above badge, listing a print run of 200 copies.
I wonder if the badge was originally just the star with a pin attachment, and the vet made the suspension part..

[CtahhR]

Here is a case of the document being considerably more appealing that the actual award.

[Pobeda45]

You are right. It could have been beautiful. Instead it looks like a rather unfortunate school project. I still appreciate the significance of it to someone.

[CtahhR]

I have a rather special place for the liberators of the Crimean Peninsula (specially the 414th) so this award for a veteran of the push to and through Crimea (and through the Carpathians to Czechoslovakia) is rather appealing, more so with the limited run of 200 (other print runs?).

Sasha here was a rather busy participant.

I wonder what significance "Novorossijsk" has to this person.......

His 20th October 1943 OPWII Citation. (Only a GSSR resident too!)

[CtahhR]

At it again on 1st November 1943 - Red Banner this time.

[CtahhR]

OPWI awarded 12th January 1944 - Busy times! Unfortunately this slice is all that is available.

Also a OPW1'85.

[charlet]

PObeda, really fascinating and rare badge! It is purely an artisanal, or really short-run production, so it can explain the poor finishing. The plastic coating deserves to be delicately put apart and glued bakc in correct position with wood glue (it becomes transparent after drying). I believe the veteran replaced the original proken stick pin by a stronger one.

[Pobeda45]

Thanks! I've researched this gent as well. Unfortunately this is another vet whose awards have been scattered and sold in small batches. I have four of his items:
- The above doc and badge
- (attached) doc to "Veteran of 318 Desant Division 'Scorched Earth - Eltigen' " Print run was only 100. I wish the badge came with it, but no such luck.
- (attached) doc of Committee of Soviet War Veterans. Best part of the doc are signatures by HSUs Maresyev (the man is a legend) and double HSU Batov.

[CtahhR]

There are few things I detest more than the splitting of groups - once they are split the chances of a full reunite are almost 0. That being said it is often the only way many of us could ever get our hands on pieces to more notable figures.

I was absolutely amazed this (last) year when I realised that a partial group of 8 (I think) awards I bought on the forum marketplace belonged to a wartime head of state - there weren't many of them so it's not hard to work out (specially knowing my preferences). I'll post the group one day when I get round to it, but that will mean digging it out and the pile that has to be dug through only gets bigger and bigger.