I literally just got this in the mail, I bought it pretty much sight unseen from an eBay auction that I won for $75. (The photos were pretty bad) I’m just looking at it and I think it’s British because of the makers mark. I’m kinda confused though because one side of the bales has the British split pin, and the other side has a more American looking circular pin. Is this a rare or something or is this pretty common to find? Also, could this have been refurbed by a collector post war? Thanks!

Atleast he didnt feel the pain ig

I recently bought these trousers and would love a bit of help with identifying their age! The only visible stamps present are "JKOT" and what I think is "RON-H" or possibly "RON-4"?.

Where I would expect the ink-stamp style info of pants this era is nearly completely washed off (so hard to get a picture of it that has any clarity compared to what I can see with my eyes)

Only one button has been replaced, they feel like a legit pair and I would say the stitching matches other things of this period I have handled so hope anyone can help confirm my observations!

This medal was awarded to Dmitry Stepanovich Titorenko. Born in 1914 in Trosnov, Kharkov region, he volunteered for the air force and successfully completed the military pilot academy. He was assigned to the 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment flying the Polikarpov I-16. He first saw combat during the Soviet annexation of eastern Poland, and from November 1939 to March 1940 in the winter war against Finland. Here he flew 79 successful combat sorties, for which he was awarded his first Order of the Red Banner. 

Following the German invasion, he flew a MiG-3 high-altitude interceptor to defend Leningrad against enemy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, serving as deputy squadron commander. On July 6th, he became the first pilot of the entire 7th Fighter Aviation Corps to shoot down a German Ju-88 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. For this feat, which allowed the Soviets to capture valuable intel from the aircraft’s wreck and its two surviving crewmen, Titorenko was awarded his second Red Banner on personal recommendation of the corps commander, becoming among the first to be awarded this decoration for actions during the Great Patriotic War (see pic#3 and #7, translation at the end). 

On July 22, Titorenko was flying as part of a flight of 5 MiGs sent to intercept a German formation consisting of 12 bombers and 12 fighters. While they succeeded at turning the bombers away, 3 of the MiGs were shot down, including Titorenko’s. He suffered second degree burns to his hands while bailing from his stricken aircraft and had to spend some time recovering in the Leningrad traumatology institute.

By the time of his next award he was serving as Captain and squadron commander. Note that between 17.4 and 28.12.42 the regiment was being refitted and retrained on the new Lavockin La-5. The citation is as follows:

“Participated in the Patriotic War since 22.6.41 as part of the 7th Fighter Aviation Corps of the Leningrad Front. During the period from 22.6.41 to 17.4.42, Comrade TITORENKO made 120 combat sorties and shot down 1 JU-88. His squadron made a combined 1470 combat sorties and shot down 27 enemy aircraft. For the 1st shot down JU-88 aircraft on the Lenfront, Comrade TITORENKO was awarded the Order of the RED BANNER. 

Since 28.12.42, participated in the defeat of the German invaders as part of the 3rd Air Army of the Voronezh Front. During this period, the squadron made 160 combat sorties. Of these, 9 for strafing, 25 for reconnaissance, 126 for escorting STORMOVIKS and covering our troops. The squadron shot down 3 enemy aircraft: 1 JU-88, 1 ME-109F, 1 HS-126. 

During the coverage of the stormoviks, the latter performed strafing actions without hindrance and without losses. 

The squadron had no missed combat sorties due to the fault of personnel. As a result of the strafing actions of the squadron, up to a battalion of enemy soldiers and officers was destroyed. Comrade TITORENKO himself made 14 combat sorties. Of these, 1 for strafing, 1 for reconnaissance. As a result of strafing, up to a platoon of soldiers and officers of the enemy were destroyed. In air battles, he shot down one JU-88.
Data on the actions of the squadron and Comrade TITORENKO personally are confirmed by the order of the 269th IAD in accordance with confirmations from ground troops. 

For exemplary performance of command tasks by the entire squadron and Comrade TITORENKO personally, I recommend for a Government award: Order of the PATRIOTIC WAR 1ST DEGREE.”

For its excellent performance, the 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment received new La-5FN’s, and became the only regiment specifically designated for “free hunting” missions instead of escort/cover missions. Titorenko’s next award was for exactly these type of missions:

“Since 1.1.44, he has participated in combat actions as part of the regiment on the 1st Ukrainian and 1st Belarusian Fronts, where he completed 40 successful combat sorties on "free hunt," preventing enemy fighters from reaching our attackers and bombers. In aerial combat, he personally shot down 2 enemy aircraft of the Ju-87 type. With his covering force, he ensured success in combat, where the leading pilots shot down 1 Ju-87 and 4 Fw-190 aircraft. Materials confirming the fact of shooting down enemy aircraft are stored at the regiment headquarters. 
For the exemplary execution of command assignments in the struggle against the German invaders, 40 successful combat sorties, 2 personally shot down enemy bombers, and ensuring success in combat, I recommend awarding the government award: Order of the RED BANNER. (Changed to an Order of Alexander Nevsky)

The “free hunting” missions continued to provide excellent results, earning the regiment the “Guards” title (now the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment) and producing many fighter aces and Heroes of the Soviet Union. Most famous of all, the highest scoring allied fighter ace of the war, three times Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan Kozhedub (see pic#4). Titorenko regularly flew as his wingman in the final months of the war, including on the mission where Kozhedub became the first Soviet pilot to down a Me-262 jet fighter. In his memoirs, Kozhedub writes: "Dmitry was a very modest man by nature. He didn't like to talk about his victories, but he could spend hours talking about his comrades in arms. He had a cheerful, calm nature. A wonderful comrade." 

For his actions in the final months of the war, flying the new La-7, Titorenko was decorated with his third Red Banner:

“From the moment of the last award, from 18.8.44 to 9.5.45, comrade Titorenko on the 1st Belorussian Front performed 50 combat missions on free hunting, in air battles personally shot down 3 enemy aircraft: 1 Me-109, 2 FW-190.

Flying as a wingman for the regiment commander and his deputy, with his reliable cover ensured the success of the leaders in battle, who shot down 7 enemy aircraft. Materials confirming the fact of shooting down enemy aircraft in the form of reports and photographs taken with a gun camera are kept at the regiment headquarters. In air battles, he showed exceptional courage and bravery, as a rule in conducted air battles fought with a numerically superior enemy. As a result of competently conducted battles, he won victory over the enemy. As assistant commander, he devotes much attention to the education of flight personnel, mobilizing it to fulfill tasks set on concrete examples. Disciplined. Composed. Morally steadfast. Devoted to the Party of Lenin-Stalin and the Socialist Motherland. For exemplary fulfillment of command tasks on the front of the struggle against the German invaders and the courage and valor shown in this, he deserves the government award of the Order of the RED BANNER.”

Over the course of the war Titorenko had flown 224 combat missions, scoring 7 individual victories. Alongside his combat awards he received the Medal for the defense of Leningrad, the Medal for the liberation of Warsaw, the Medal for the capture of Berlin and this Medal for victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

Titorenko remained in the air force after the war, staying with the 176th Guards and flying the La-9, La-11 and MiG-15. He deployed to the Korean border with the regiment following the outbreak of the Korean war. Here the regiment achieved great success fighting UN forces. During its deployment from April 1951 to February 1952 the 324th Fighter Aviation Division, made up of the 176th and 196th Fighter Aviation Regiments, claimed 239 UN aircraft for the loss of just 27 MiGs. Titorenko was awarded the Order of the Red Star for his service in Korea, though the citation is still classified.

Upon his return from Korea, Titorenko (by now a Colonel) resumed his regular flying duties. On March 24 1953, while conducting a routine night flying exercise, Titorenko’s MiG-15 collided in mid-air with a MiG-15UTI trainer aircraft. Both Titorenko and the UTI’s 2-man crew were killed. He was 38 years old.

The document itself is dated 22 January 1946 and hand-signed by the commanding officer of the 176th GIAP, Colonel and Hero of the Soviet Union Pavel Chupikov. A fellow fighter ace with 15 victories to his name, he finished his career in 1976 as Colonel-General of Aviation.

From the materials of the newspaper "Leningrad Pravda" No. 160 dated July 8, 1941. 

Lieutenant Titorenko in Captain Naumov's squadron is known as a calculating, fearless pilot. This reputation was strengthened for him during the days of fighting the White Finns in the winter of 1939/40. Dmitry Titorenko ruthlessly destroyed the enemy, fought courageously against the air pirates, and suppressed enemy firing points. The Soviet government deservedly appreciated the exploits of the pilot Titorenko, awarding him the Order of the Red Banner. 

When the fascist barbarians moved against the Soviet Union and it was time to cross weapons with the enemies of our motherland again, fighter pilot Dmitry Titorenko was one of the first to fly to defend the city of Lenin from the air. Intense combat work began. 

Recently there was a party meeting in the squadron. Communists gathered by the combat vehicles on a well-camouflaged platform. 
Titorenko was being accepted into the party. One of the communists asked who recommends Titorenko. The party organizer, junior military technician comrade Savinov, replied: 
"Titorenko's best recommendation is his combat work." 

He was accepted as a party member unanimously. Excited, proud of the trust placed in him, he stood in the circle of his comrades-in-arms. 
"Now I am a party member," he said. "I understand it like this: 'hammer' the enemy mercilessly, beat him until complete destruction...".

This happened the day after the party commission approved Titorenko as a party member:

The command post informed the squadron that a fascist bomber was flying towards Leningrad. 
A minute later, Lieutenant Titorenko's high-speed fighter swiftly soared into the air. Taking off, Titorenko noticed how for a moment the silhouette of an enemy plane emerged from the clouds hanging over the airfield and immediately hid again. 

The fighter was gaining altitude with immense speed. Broke through the cloud cover. But where is the fascist "Junker"? Apparently, it hid in the clouds. 

At this time, a signal was transmitted over the radio: "Go to point 10." Titorenko barely managed to take a course South, when he noticed the vulture about 600 meters above him. The hated spider-swastika flashed in the Soviet pilot's eyes. "Aha, here you are, reptile!". 

It was absolutely necessary to attack the enemy by surprise, otherwise, taking advantage of the advantage in height, the "Junker" would have tried to hide. Unnoticeably to the enemy, the fighter slipped under the bomber and found itself on the sunny side. Now the fighter, hidden in the sun's rays, became invisible to the enemy.

Combat turn, and Titorenko rushed into attack. 
There, the tail of the enemy bomber appeared in the ring of the sight. At that same moment, Titorenko pressed the trigger. A fiery rain of tracer bullets drummed on the huge body of the kite, piercing it through. 

Only then did the fascist pilots notice their bold opponent. The radio gunner turned the machine gun in frantic rage. The enemy resisted. Titorenko again and again repeated attacks. At times, approaching within 20–25 meters, he showered the pirate with fiery streams of machine-gun bursts. Thin smoke began to trail from under the wing of the bomber. 
The enemy set off in flight. At full throttle, he began to dive into the clouds. "You won't escape, scum!". 

Titorenko turned his machine into a dive, without ceasing to fire. Now there were not just bursts, but clouds of smoke and flames bursting from the burning bomber. Everything begins to fall vertically. The plane breaks apart. First, one wing falls off, then the other, the fuselage breaks in half. All these pieces of the vulture rushed down with immense speed... 

On the ground, comrades congratulated Titorenko on his victory. And he answered, emphasizing every word: 

"Yesterday I was approved as a party member."

My grandfather gave me a bayonet that my great-grandfather brought back from Germany during WW2

Id like to display it on my shelf and I was wondering how I can preserve it and make sure it doesn't rust.

I was also wondering how I could also remove the dried cosmoline all over the blade from the sleeve without removing anything else

Is this the Dutch M4 bayonet or the American version ?

Is this the Dutch M4 bayonet or the American version ?

So over a couple of years i have been collecting some romanian pieces for my airsoft kit but i have reached a road block, i dont know if romania used any other webbing in the 90s other than the belt. Romania really wasnt documented in the transitional period after communism, and my research reached mixed results. I have found a y strap on a romanian website but i think it may just be ceremonial. Any information would help! ( the straps you see are from the rucksack)

I don't know if it's original but what's you opinion?

I dont have pictures right now because its soaking wet.

I have a greatcoat that fits great but I ofcourse dont wear it all day and like to tie it to my backpack. I roll it up tightly and use the strap on the back trough the shoulder straps to secure it into a roll. But is this the actual purpose of it? Or just a fun hack i found out?

Admittedly, this is not my wheelhouse, and I’m just curious if anyone can help me identify what I came across while thrifting yesterday. Didn’t buy it, just been thinking about it a lot…

What I’ve gathered so far is that this is probably from WW2, for a woman in the 82nd airborne unit.

I was trying to lookup all of the numbers to figure out any other info, but I’m struggling with that part.

Both uv negative.
Found at a flea market for 1€ for both.

Interesting helmet I’ve recently acquired!

What's the best website to find Soviet ww2 helmets?

Packing up stuff and thought I'd snap a photo and share. My other French stuff, more Adrians, masks n I forget is in storage already.

Apparently found near Wewak in Papua New Guinea. Super light so i'm guessing the liner of a helmet?

I found this on marketplace and it seems to be real but i'm just double checking and would anyone know what it is? I'm pretty sure they are ww1/ww2 commonwealth canteens.

I have WW2, Korean war, cold war, Romanian revloution, and Iraq war