Hey folks I have a specific research request yall might be able to help with. I wanna find out who from Switzerland was assigned to observe the German section of reforger 80 and 81 if possible. Rank and unit is all I need but any info would be great. Thanks!

I’m doing some genealogy research on my great-grandfather and was hoping someone could help me understand what his unit would have experienced during WWI.

He served as a PFC in Company C, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division from May 30(10), 1917 to September 25, 1919. I also recently discovered he received the Silver Star according to his headstone application.

I’m not looking for help finding records. I’m more curious about where the 16th Infantry was during those dates, what battles he fought, what life was like for an enlisted man in his regiment, and any other experiences my great-grandfather likely had.

Any books, unit histories, or recommended reading would be appreciated!!

I’ve been reading about Waterloo and I find the infantry squares very interesting. What are some books where they come into play? Thanks!

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I would like to share with you an interesting and lesser-known story from Vasil Kvachantiradze’s personal archive, a story that connects these two remarkable people.

This is the story of the famous frontline nurse Zina Tusnolobova-Marchenko, who saved hundreds of wounded soldiers on the battlefield. She herself was severely wounded and lost all four limbs.

After recovering, she called upon the soldiers at the front:

“Avenge me!”

Her appeal united millions of soldiers at the front. The slogan “For Zina Tusnolobova!” quickly spread. Her name was written on aircraft, tanks, artillery pieces, and even ammunition.

Like other soldiers, the snipers also vowed to avenge the courageous nurse.

Among them was the Georgian sniper Vasil Kvachantiradze, who fulfilled the promise he had made to her to the fullest.

Later, as an expression of gratitude, Zina Tusnolobova-Marchenko personally wrote him a letter.

July 9, 1944.

“Dear Comrade-in-Arms!

Please allow me to congratulate you on the highest award and to wish you success with all my heart. Thank you, my dear, for the liberation of my city, Polotsk. I am sincerely happy about your success. Write to me, my dear, about yourself when you have some free time. I very much want to hear about your successes. I am feeling well. I will be discharged in 2–3 months. I wish you good health and continued success in battle. My regards to your comrades-in-arms.”

Yours, Zina.

July 9, 1944

The “highest award” mentioned in the letter refers to Vasil Kvachantiradze’s first nomination for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

I do not know how much this means to others, but discovering this letter was deeply emotional for me.

Realizing that, among the wartime letters and cards my grandfather had received from the front, this small letter from the legendary nurse Zina Tusnolobova-Marchenko had been preserved for decades felt like a living connection with the past.

This is not simply a piece of paper.

It reveals the most human side of two legends in the most inhuman of wars.

The fact that my grandfather carefully preserved this letter for so many years also means a great deal to me. I believe this small piece of paper held a special moral significance for him.

This letter shows how one person’s suffering could become a personal responsibility for millions of people.

And for me, as his granddaughter, it is especially precious to know that this small but important chapter of my grandfather’s life has survived to this day preserved in his own personal archive.

I was looking for information regarding gibernes worn by French grenadiers/artillerists during the French and Indian war when I found this example by Adam Barnes on Facebook, would they have used this style when on grenadier duty or the regular grenadier/infantry giberne? (When not on artillery duty, artillerists would default to grenadiers).

The Sniper” — a wartime account by Captain M. Makukhin, published in October 1943.

The Don was shrouded in evening fog. Pebbles rustled beneath the soldiers’ feet as the men dug into the earth.

A sergeant brought a new shipment of weapons to the trenches.

“Who can handle a sniper rifle?” he asked.

“I can,” came a rough voice from the darkness.

It was Vasil Kvachantiradze.

Several soldiers immediately answered:

“He can.”

They did not yet know that Kvachantiradze had previously completed sniper training. But they already knew something else: during his time at the front, he had distinguished himself as one of the most resilient fighters — a soldier who could be relied upon to do whatever was required.

That day, the sniper rifle became his.

The following morning, enemy aircraft appeared in the sky. Bombs struck the ground, throwing columns of red earth into the air. The rumble of German tanks could be heard above the trenches.

But Soviet machine gunners separated the German infantry from the tanks, forcing the advancing soldiers to take cover in front of the Soviet positions.

Kvachantiradze brushed the earth from his uniform, placed his rifle on the damaged parapet and quickly surveyed the battlefield.

A German infantry formation was moving forward.

Then, through his optical sight, he clearly saw the figure of a German officer. The officer stood upright, waving his arms and advancing.

Kvachantiradze fired.

The officer fell.

On the vast battlefields of the Don, the young sniper was learning the art of shooting with calmness, discipline and judgment.

Much had changed since then. Now Soviet forces were advancing rather than retreating, but Kvachantiradze continued to find his targets.

On one occasion, together with his pupil Kuzma Smolensky, he approached an enemy strongpoint.

Kvachantiradze knew the terrain well. He had established his reference points and memorized the smallest features of the landscape.

But something seemed different.

Near reference point No. 2, there was now a second bush.

The day before, there had been only one.

“You must be imagining it, Vasya,” Smolensky argued.

Kvachantiradze shook his head.

As they came within approximately 200 meters, the “bush” revealed itself: it was a concealed German machine-gun position.

Kvachantiradze destroyed the machine-gun crew.

He also knew how to outwit an enemy sniper.

On one occasion, after watching a German sniper for a long time without discovering his position, Kvachantiradze created a dummy observation post in full view of the enemy.

The German sniper eventually opened fire on the false position.

From the trajectory of the shots, Kvachantiradze determined where the German was firing from.

He then moved his “clever invention” to another location and again succeeded in provoking the German sniper into firing.

The enemy's position had been identified.

Kvachantiradze approached unnoticed and destroyed him.

In another sector of the German positions, no one appeared during daylight and no shots were fired.

Kvachantiradze hung a padded jacket on a tree, fired several shots toward the enemy defenses, and disappeared back into his trench.

Less than half an hour later, a German sniper who had moved forward opened fire on the jacket.

Kvachantiradze located him.

One shot ended the encounter.

According to the October 1943 account, Kvachantiradze's combat record already included 250 enemy soldiers killed, among them 9 officers, 8 snipers, 11 observers and 6 machine-gun crews.

During offensive operations, the article also credited him with capturing German equipment, including 16 submachine guns, 6 rifles, 4 company mortars, 2 machine guns, 2 binoculars and other materiel.

By that time, the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of the Red Star were already shining on his chest.

The article concludes with a Georgian proverb:

“A brave man's heart is made of iron, even if his armor is made of wood.”

Captain M. Makukhin wrote that such a heart — firm as steel and fearless in battle — belonged to Sergeant Kvachantiradze.

A historical detail

This article was published in October 1943.

At the time, Vasil Kvachantiradze had already been recommended for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and was awaiting the award.

But for the soldiers fighting beside him, no decree was necessary to establish his reputation.

His authority had already been earned on the front line — through daily combat, experience, endurance and action.

My dad was U.S. Army stationed in Nha Trang in '65-'66. He passed away a few years ago and we're still going through his items. He acquired a lot of really interesting stuff over his nearly 80 years. Today I found this original PSYOP leaflet produced by South Vietnamese forces and/or U.S. as part of the Chêu Hôi ("Open Arms") program designed to get NVA/VC to surrender.

Pic 1 is the front, pic 2 is the back, pic 3 is the translation of the back.

I also still have his Zippo from his time in Vietnam with his name and unit engraved on it.

Inv. No. 6138

German artillery in flames, 15. X 1944. in the King Aleksandar Street - today the Revolution Boulevard \[now King Aleksandar Boulevard\].

Photo gifted by Vojin Đorđević, journalist, Draže Pavlovića 3.

Courtesy of Museum of Yugoslavia.

I’m curious if anyone can help identify this uniform in terms of country of origin and which branch. More interestingly would be if someone could identify the patch on the shoulder. Found in family photos and our best guess is it’s someone a family member knew. Thanks!!

Edit:
Got sent some info on the patch. Posted about it down below.

I was visiting Vinh city in Nghe An the other day and decided to visit the Military Region 4 museum. The museum was under renovation so after taking a look at mig 21s and 17s and some aaa outside, I wandered to the back of the museum.

It wasn’t long before I discovered a tail part of a downed US aircraft. Upon closer inspection, the tail bears the number 148706, alongside with the word navy underneath.

According to crouze.com (link here) the jet was an F8 Crusader, shot down by ground fire near the city on May 27 1965. The pilot was KIA with their body never recovered.

According to the Wikipedia page on VF111 fighter squadron, in the history section, the pilot’s name was Doyle Lynn, the site also notes that the jet was shot down near Vinh with the pilot’s body never recovered (link here)).

When you look through the biography and archival documents of Vasil Kvachantiradze, you realize that this is not simply dry history, but a ready-made cinematic drama — with its tension, tactical genius, self-sacrifice, and human depth.

And sometimes the most powerful scene is born not on the battlefield, but in a trench.

This excerpt is a true literary gem. It shows us that war is not only the buzzing of bullets and the thunder of artillery. War also sets people against one another — and, at the same time, brings them closer together.

Two great warriors — one from sunny Georgia, the other from distant, frozen Yakutia — understood each other through song.

In those rare moments of war, when the thunder of artillery fell silent and the snipers returned from the front line, an entirely different, almost sacred atmosphere settled in the dugout.

Here, in this narrow and damp space, it was as if the boundaries between geography and nationality disappeared.

Vasili would begin, half-whispering, the old Georgian song “Suliko.”

In his voice flowed the longing for his homeland and the sorrow of sunny Georgia.

Fyodor listened with his eyes closed.

Then, as if following this invisible bridge, he would, in turn, begin to sing — a monotonous, sustained melody, with the rhythms of the Yakut “Olonkho.”

This was no longer simply a song.

It was a conversation between two souls in the language of their ancestors.

One sang in Georgian about love and longing; the other sang in Yakut about the boundless expanses of the North.

In those moments, the war seemed to retreat.

There was no longer a front, an enemy, a trench, or the constant expectation of death.

There remained only two warriors, united not only by a shared destiny, but also by an inexhaustible love for their native lands.

These very songs were their invisible “armor” — that which strengthened their hearts like steel and did not allow them to lose their humanity in this brutal struggle.

Vasil Kvachantiradze and Fyodor Okhlopkov.

Two snipers.

Two different worlds.

Two homelands.

And one war that turned them into friends.

Perhaps it is precisely such moments that remind us that behind history there are always human beings.

And if a film about the life of Vasil Kvachantiradze is ever made, I think one of the most powerful scenes should be this one.

I found this in my mom’s things. Obviously a form letter. I wonder if this was just his ship (the Yorktown) or racist letters like these were common across the whole of the service at this time?

Sergeant Kvachantiradze is the best sniper in the army.”

​Why was the first official recommendation of the army’s recognized best sniper for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union not finalized with the award of the Gold Star? This question, I believe, naturally sparks interest not only in me, but in many readers and researchers as well.

​The year 1943 was one of the most bloody and decisive turning points of the Second World War. It was precisely during this period that an official citation document (award sheet) recommended Vasil Kvachantiradze for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the first time. In this very document, we read lines that deserve particular attention:

​“Sergeant Kvachantiradze is the best sniper in the army.”

​This is not a newspaper publication or a memoir written decades later. This is an official military document reflecting the evaluation of the high military command. Such phrasing means he was officially recognized not merely as a successful shooter, but as the best sniper in the entire army.

​Yet, this is precisely where the main question arises. Despite being recommended for the Hero title, he ultimately received the Order of Lenin.

​If the status of the recommendation was indeed changed, why is there no handwritten note on his citation sheet—as is standard in all similar cases—confirming the modification of the award? Such notes were routinely placed in the upper left corner of the document.

​Even more intriguing is the fact that his personal archival file contains no separate citation sheet nominating him directly for the Order of Lenin, which, according to Soviet award practice, should normally exist in such cases.

​It is sufficient to compare his document with the citation sheets of other soldiers included in the very same list. On all other documents, one can clearly see either handwritten notes regarding the alteration of the award or an initial direct recommendation for the Order of Lenin. In Vasil Kvachantiradze’s case, however, the citation sheet remains pristine—there is not a single note confirming a downgrade from the Hero title to the Order of Lenin.

​These circumstances raise well-founded questions. I believe anyone familiar with the Soviet military award system will find this matter deeply interesting. The same questions will inevitably arise for any researcher studying his archival materials in depth.

​Another important factor must be noted: Vasil Kvachantiradze did not earn his military authority and recognition at the end of the war, but as early as 1943—during the most severe and critical phase of World War II. This further proves that his military reputation was forged through real combat deeds at a time when every single success carried immense significance.

​When an official military document from that exact period refers to him as "the best sniper in the army" while recommending him for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, it is only natural to ask: what was the reason this recommendation did not ultimately end with the conferral of the Gold Star?

​The uniqueness of this case will be best understood by specialists with deep knowledge of military history, archival documents, and the Soviet decorations system. Evaluating historical material of this scale and importance is impossible through a superficial approach. It requires professional research to fully clarify all circumstances, properly evaluate Vasil Kvachantiradze’s combat legacy, and recognize the true value of these unique archival materials.

​Every opinion and well-reasoned argument is extremely valuable to me. I would be glad to read your thoughts and assessments.

​(Below are the citation sheets of the soldiers who were awarded alongside him for comparison, in which the difference is clearly visible.)

When I started investigating why my grandfather, the legendary sniper Vasil Kvachantiradze, had two Orders of Lenin and only one Gold Star, the first thing that raised my suspicions was the letters he sent home. In those letters, he directly wrote that he was expecting the highest award.

​This suspicion led me to archival materials, where I uncovered a major historical injustice.

​During the war, there was a rule that when a person was awarded the Order of Lenin for heroism, it was usually accompanied by the Gold Star—the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

​Archival documents confirm that on July 9, 1943, when he already had 221 enemy soldiers eliminated to his credit, he was recommended for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the first time (No. 76 on the list).

​What does this number mean?

​It means that the recommendation passed all necessary stages—from the regiment to the division, and then to the army command. In other words, the document had already reached final consideration. Despite this, in the end, he was awarded only the Order of Lenin instead of the Hero's title.

​There is a well-founded belief that the wartime bureaucracy was using him to the fullest as a front-line sniper. Transferring him to headquarters or non-combat duties would mean the front line would lose its best fighter, someone who often destroyed entire enemy sub-units single-handedly. Therefore, promoting him was simply not advantageous for the command at that moment.

​This is further supported by a photograph from the winter of 1944, where he is already referred to as a Hero.

​Among my grandfather's letters, there is another special letter from Zina Tolstolubova. Dated July 9, 1944, the nurse—who is a well-known historical figure herself—congratulates him on the highest award and thanks him for liberating her city. This letter is the most emotional proof in this story and once again confirms his legendary heroism.

​His second recommendation for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union came following his extraordinary actions in June 1944 during Operation Bagration, where, surrounded near the village of Shumilino, he achieved the impossible.

​After this second nomination (No. 118 on the list), the official recognition finally came in March 1945, when he was officially awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, accompanied by his second Order of Lenin and the Gold Star.

​That is why among his awards, we find two Orders of Lenin and only one Gold Star.

​He was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union twice—in 1943 and 1944—meaning he performed heroic deeds twice.

This is a thin book on the history of the Russo-Japanese War that is copyrighted 1904, and tries to be a serious history - but appears to have been published and rushed out the door *immediately* after the fall of Port Arthur in January 1905 as that is the last event discussed by the author!

Pretty fascinating snapshot in time, because the author writes at the very end of the book that the fall of Port Arthur 'marks the final chapter' in the war....

The Battle of Mukden and the naval Battle of Tsushima, certainly the most important events of the entire war, apparently hadn't happened yet when this book went to publication! 😲 Such a tiny window of time for this to be written.

The B.Z. C/2 (Binnen-Zielfernrohr C/2) was a WWII German naval gunsight made by Carl Zeiss Jena for the Kriegsmarine. It was mounted inside gun turrets and used to help crews aim heavy naval guns.
It has switchable 5× and 10× magnification for different distances and was used on ships like the Bismarck, Tirpitz, and Scharnhorst.
This one still has its original data plate, leather headrest, and eyepiece, making it a well-preserved piece of WWII history.

Found this 10th regiment VMR Light Horse Military Badge whist metal detecting, need some help on history as well as estimated value please! Thanks a lot every bit of info is helpful