20 Year Commemoration of the Liberation of Romania from the Fascists

This is yet another commemorative issued by the Communist government of Romania. It seems that all the Warsaw Pact countries continued to stamp out these medals at regular intervals. Perhaps to rub it into the West that they had played a large part in Germany’s defeat. As a side note, since the Romanians spent most of the war under the Axis perhaps this medal could also be described as commemorating 20 years of subjugation by the Communists?

Loyal Service Cross Type 2 Class 2

The Type 2 Loyal Service medal was awarded from 1932 to 1947. It was awarded in three classes. Class I was made in silver gilt, class II in silver, and class III in bronze. Beginning in 1937, the type 2 medal could also be awarded with swords to members of the military.

The ribbon is blue, flanked by 3mm silver stripes with a 3mm yellow stripe in the center. In times of war, the “war ribbon” was used, which included the addition of 3mm yellow stripes on the outer edges.

The cross is 34mm wide, plain, and is encircled with a wreath. The center medallion is the same as the Type I medal.

The Obverse reads “Serviciu Credincios” (Translation: Loyal Service), surrounded with a wreath of laurel and oak leaves.

In all there were 8 variations of the medal.

WW2 Commemorative Cross

This medal is a post-Communist Romanian commemorative medal issued to all those who served in the Romanian Armed Forces during WW2. This medal actually similar in design to that produced after the First World War and is obviously intended to mimic it.

Medal for the Crusade Against Communism

This medal was instituted by Royal Decree No. 1014 of April 1, 1942 and was awarded to military personelirrespective of rank as well as civilians who had distinguished themselves in the battles on the Eastern front. The medal could be awarded without bars, but the following bars were authorized: BUCOVINA, BASARABIA, DOBROGEA, NISTRU, ODESSA, BUG, NIPRU, AZOV, CREMEEA, DONET, MAREA NEAGARA.

The medal is dated 1941, and it was awarded through 1944. After 1944, Romania was occupied by the Soviets, and this award became obsolete. In fact if would have been very unhealthy to be found with this medal under the Communist regime that followed the War.

Medal for the Liberation From Fascist Subjugation

This is a post-war commemorative medal from the Communist Romanian People’s Republic. The writing roughly translates as in the title of the post. Undoubtedly stamped out by the million.This medal was awarded in 1949 by the Communist Government to soldiers and civilians who participated in the ‘struggle’ against the Germans in World War II. While Romania was allied with Germany during most of the war, King Michael overthrew Marshal Antonescu (the defacto ruler of Romania) in 1945 and turned Romania’s forces against their former allies. Because there is also a medal awarded by Romania for fighting against Communism (see Crusade against Communism Medal), it is conceivable that some soldiers received both awards.

The medal is suspended by the distinctive communist tri-fold ribbon, and has four red and three white stripes in alternating fashion. The medallion depicts the bust of two soldiers, one Romanian and the other Soviet, side by side. The busts are encircled by the words; “ELIBEREA DE SUB JUGUL FACISTl” translation: Liberation from fascist subjugation.

The reverse is comprised of a laurel wreath surmounted by the letters RPR encircling the words, “IN SLUJBA POPORULUI MUNCITOR”. translation: “Workng for the working people”

Romanian Faithful Service Medal Class II

This is the Faithful Service Medal issued under King Carol of Romania. This is the second class type without swords so it would be issued for non-war service, for example civil servants, postmasters, policemen and so on.

King Haakon VII Freedom Medal

This medal was awarded to both civilians and foreigners for “significant” services to Norway during WW2. I have yet to discover what “significant” means.

Panzerfaust 60

There is, of course, a good reason why I shouldn’t be allowed to go to a militaria show unsupervised. This is it. I went to the Toronto Militaria Show in Etobicoke this weekend and was determined that I would only but something if it was “funky”. The show was filled with masses of German stuff, about half of which was fake. I saw this Panzerfaust 60 (indicating it was accurate to 60 meters which I believe was pretty optimistic) and decided this was the “funky” item. It has been fooled with, there were very few veteran bring-backs of these, who wants to smuggle 10lbs of high explosive home in their satchel? Most of them ended up being thrown into lakes and waterways by the surrendering Volksturm. In consequence almost all of the ones you see are in “relic” condition. This one is far better despite the re-paint and re-stencil job it has had done on it. All of the original bits are still there and it looks awesome!

Commemorative Medal of the Continuation War 1941-1945

This Finnish medal was handed out to all participants in the Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union. It was called the Continuation War by the Finns as they saw it as an extension of the 1939 Winter War which they had lost.

This medal was instituted in 1957, not surprisingly just after Stalin’s death. There is a Swedish language version as well for the Swedish volunteers.

Hitler Youth Knife

Here is a Hitler Youth knife that I obtained from Colorado. It’s in absolutely mint condition, suspiciously so. In fact if it wasn’t for the RZM tag still attached to the belt loop I would have said it was too good to be true. As it is this is about as good as it gets except if perhaps there is a mottoed blade out there somewhere.