Figure trivia/knowledge exchange #01 can be found HERE


David Blacker (spooky6) has the floor with this question:

My guess is that it is 'The Kuban Shield'
Instituted by Hitler and his High Command on 21 Sept 43.
This was to honour those who were fighting to preserve the bridgeheads in the Kuban Region during the period 1 Feb 43 until there abandonment on 9 Oct 43 when they fell to the Soviets.
I haven't a clue what makes it individual.

Steve

I'll give you a clue: As I said, it was the last shield to be approved, and it was approved in 1945.

How about the Lappland Shield?

As per http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/campaign_awards/shields/unofficial_prototype.htm

"The Lapland Shield was the last officially instituted German battle shield of the war. This award, created in February of 1945, was to recognize the efforts of the 20th Mountain Army group commanded by General Boehme, who had been fighting a two front war against the English and the Russians since November 1944. The shield was officially approved on May 1st, 1945, a day after Hitler’s death. The Army surrendered to the British on May 8th, 1945.

Thought the shield was recorded into Soldbuchs as early as April, it is believed that no awards were actually presented at this time. However, after the cessation of hostilities the German forces in the area found that their captor, General Thorne, went against common practice and allowed his prisoners to wear their decorations (it is of interest to note that the reason for the liberal attitude of the British forces was that at that time the possibility of using German troops to stem the Soviet advance had not been discarded). In light of this circumstance, the men of 20th Army began to produce the shield from whatever industry was available in the area (it was constructed from a variety of medals including zinc, aluminum and tin).
Presentation of the award then took place, with the commanding German officer, General Boehme, in charge of this task. It has been stated that the criteria for the shield included 6 months service in the area, to have been wounded in an engagement in the area or to have attained a bravery award in the area. Even though the award was presented after the end of the war, it should be considered an official award as it was authorized prior to the capitulation of the Wehrmacht.

The award itself consisted of a crudely constructed shield which had a rounded bottom and a flat top, with a rim running along the edge of it. Immediately below the top there was a horizontal bar with an eagle perched on it. The eagle in the shield does not include a swastika, as this of course would have been unacceptable to the Allied forces. Immediately beneath this is the word “LAPPLAND” and under it there was a map of the area. On the edges of it four small holes were perforated from which the shield was sown to the uniform. Needless to say, this award has countless variants and, being field produced, was of a very low quality. "



Unique because it was officially approved the day after Hitler's death?

The Lapplandschild it is, Rudi. However, what made it unique wasn't that it was approved after Hitler's death (several other awards were too), but that it was issued after the end of the war, to POWs in British custody.

Okay, I'm swamped, but in order to keep this going I'm passing the ball... however, there is condition attached

The first person to post a Napoleonic period question has the ball... so, make it a good one and have fun

Let's go with Napoleonic times, then...

There was a regiment whose members won the right to wear their insignia both at the front and at he back of its headgear. Which regiment was it, and why dit it earn this peculiar honour?

Bye,

Dani

I will confess that this is an absolute guess, but the 9th Regiment Death Hussars?

Never mind that... just found what I suspect is the correct answer...

The back badge was awarded to the 28th Regiment of Foot for their actions at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801 when the regiment fought on whilst completely surrounded by the enemy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gloucestershire%2C_Berkshire_and_Wiltshire_Regiment

Correct!

The 28th Foot Regiment - later the Gloucestershire Regiment, known as "The Glosters".

Initially, they took to wear a plate inscribed with the number of the regiment on the back of their headgear. This received official approval in 1830. The number was replaced ny a badge after the 1881 reforms.

Your call, Rudi!

Dani

Okay, here's something a lee-e-e-tle bit different

The question deals with one of my other interests... heraldic art...

Identify the following winged heraldic creature:

A small eagle usually shown displayed and without beak or legs. This creature is used in the arms of Lorraine. The arms of Lorraine are said to commemorate an event when Godfrey de Boulogne shot 3 legless birds with 1 arrow. The name of this creature is an anagram of loraine - which may be a clue to the origin of the name

The answer is The alerion.

LOL, I knew I made it too easy :-)

Pat is correct.... so... over to you Pat

I'll have to put my thinking cap on........watch this space

Okay to continue the bird theme, which American Civil War Unit took "Old Abe" a live Eagle into battle with them as their mascot?

Eighth Wisconsin Regiment Company C

"...McCann carried the eagle to Chippewa Falls and attempted to sell him to a company just recruiting there for the First Wisconsin battery. Failing in this, he proceeded a little later to Eau Claire and offered the bird, now nearly full-grown and handsome, but spiteful as a scorpion, to the Eau Claire "Badgers," that subsequently became Company C, of the Eighth or Eagle regiment.
Captain John E. Perkins hesitated at first about accepting such a strange volunteer, but finally agreed to take him to the front.
..."

List of engagements that Old Abe partook in:

Fredericktown, MO - 21 October 1861
New Madrid and Island "10" - March & April 1862
Point Pleasant, MO - 20 March 1862
Farmington, Miss. - 9 May 1862
Corinth, Miss. - 28 May 1862
Iuka, Miss. - 12 September 1862
Burnsville, Miss. - 13 September 1862
Iuka, Miss. - 16-18 September 1862
Corinth, Miss. - 3-4 October 1862
Tallehatchie, Miss. - 2 December 1862
Mississippi Springs, Miss. - 13 May 1863
Jackson, Miss. - 14 May 1863
Assault on Vicksburg, Miss. - 22 May 1863
Mechanicsburg, Miss. - 4 June 1863
Richmond, La. - 15 June 1863
Vicksburg, Miss. - 24 June 1863
Surrender of Vicksburg - 4 July 1863
Brownsville, Miss. - 14 October 1863
Fort Scurry, La. - 13 March 1864
Fort De Russey, La. - 15 March 1864
Henderson's Hill, La. - 21 March 1864
Grand Ecore, La. - 2 April 1864
Pleasant Hill, La. - 8-9 April 1864
Natchitoches, La. - 20 April 1864
Kane River, La. - 22 April 1864
Clouterville and Crane Hill, La. - 23 April 1864
Bayou Rapids, La. - 2 May 1864
Bayou La Monre, La. - 3 May 1864
Bayou Roberts, La. - 4-6 May 1864
Moore's Plantation, La. - 8-12 May 1864
Mansura, La. - 16 May 1864
Maysville, La. - 17 May 1864
Calhoun's Plantation, La. - 18 May 1864
Bayou De Glaise, La. - 18 May 1864
Lake Chicot, Ark. - 6 June 1864
Hurricane Creek, Miss. - 13 August 1864


http://users.ap.net/~chenae/oldabe3.html

Correct Anders. Over to you.

Weeeeee

Here is the next trivia question:

First with both correct answers gets the Q.

#1

Who is depicted in this picture and what is he doing?



#2

What war are these characters involved with and who are they?

Seems like I need to put in a couple of hints!

The first picture is depicting the year 1791. The man is very well known, more so after his death in the same year. He was a cultural man, not a soldier.

The second question, the man on the horse is a Swedish King.

Hope this will help out a little

Hi Anders,

It could be people is not responding because , after your instructions, one needs to answer all questions to qualify. At least that's my case - I would answer to the questions regarding #2 but not #1; but partial answers are not allowed... ;-)

Dani

Ohh

Well hell then, answer anything!

It would be too easy just to do the second

Hi Anders,

Give it time Can't speak for anyone else, but I'm still looking for the answer...
Tried to be sneaky... but apparantly it's a "nice try" LOL :-)

Rudi

The last man, is it Richelieu, french famous cardinal ?
Regarding the war, is it the 30 years war ?
For the first man, really don't know. Did he was involded in the revolution ?

Ok, I'm pretty sure now..except for the first
Richelieu, famous french cardinal and well know politician in France.
30 years war
Gustave adolph II, king of Sweden
But for the first man....he looks like he's dictating an hymn or an opera..don't know..maybe Rouget de Lisle writing la marseillaise...

Haha Rudi,

I just had to do that

I thought it would be a little funny to take extra 2 min to change the file names and upload them.

I think I got a little too exited about this and wanted to see someone get it and learn something at the same time. Impatience is a lousy virtue of mine!


Julian,


You are correct on the second and very close on the first!

He was not involved with the revolution.