This is a very pretty gold coloured medal made for the Svazarm Military reserve in former Czechoslovakia (called ZVAZARM in Slovak language) during the cold war. The badge face is 3.5cm high and has a safety clasp style pin on the ribbon section.
It features the text MEMORIAL CSSR GENERAL ANTONIN SOCHORA who was a General in the first Infantry corps who passed away in 1950.
Historical Background
The svazarm were formed in 1951 in former Czechoslovakia to train the population in military based disciplines. The activities the Svazarm provided were extremely diverse, ranging from medical training to dog training. Dog lovers would be instructed in the training and breeding of dogs suitable for military purposes, especially German Shepherds. Shortwave radio operation was another popular activity, and was also useful for creating future radio operators in the army.
A more specialised branch of the Svazarm, based at Košice, trained pilots for the air force. Training included at least twenty flight hours of glider training and forty hours of basic training on motorised aeroplanes, as well as the necessary aviation theory. There ware also sections: Model airplanes and gliding (formally DOSLET), motor sport section (motorcycles and cars) and all sort of shooting sports. (rifle, pistol)
