A truly RARE Tiger!

Askari

I managed to snare an exceptionally scarce medal with a tiger on it ... but that's not why I went for it. During WWII, the Germans supported Indian aspirations to liberate themselves from British rule. This movement was known as "Azad Hind" (literally "Free India"), and the medal I've nabbed is The Order of the Azad Hind Medal of Merit decoration from this little-known movement. The Germans and Italians also raised Indian fighting units from among Indian POWs captured in North Africa. The Germans intended to use their Indian "Azad Hind Legion" -- or as it was often called by its members, the "Tiger Legion" -- to liberate India from British rule once the Germans secured the Caucasus. This unit was formed in 1942 and surrendered in 1945, having mostly fought the Resistance in France. For more on the medal, check out this link; for background on the Azad Hind fighting force, check here.

CoinAddict

Very cool medal!!!

Syracusian

Cool medal and info Askari.

cosmicdebris

Yeah really some great history behind that one.

theboz11

Very nice medal Mark
There is a bbl/lion going off tomorrow that I see you have an eye on,,,see you at the end

Askari

Clankeye

Thanks for that very interesting bit of history, Askari. And interesting medal too.


Clankeye