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Croatia and other
German "satellite States" |
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had several allies in different categories. Italy and Japan were part of
the Axis Powers but totally controlled their own Armed Services. Some of the
smaller countries went one step further and supplied men or complete
Units to fight in the German Armed Forces and had forces of their own as
well. Some just supplied men. The Netherlands (Holland), Spain, Croatia and Belgium were amongst them. Spain remained
'neutral' but supplied 'volunteers'. Croatia fought independently AND
supplied Units to Germany. Belgium and others just supplied men. Finland
fought with Germany because of their fear and hated of Russia. |
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- The highest attainable Croatian
military decoration, the Order
of the Iron Trefoil was
founded on December 27, 1941.
- It was awarded to soldiers or
officers of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Ustase for
“exceptional gallantry, leadership and acts of bravery against the
enemy”.
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- The second highest Croatian
military decoration, the Order
of the Crown of King Zvonimir
was established on May 15, 1941. I was awarded to members of the
Croatian Armed Forces, the Ustase, or to members of allied and
friendly forces, the Order came in 4 classes, and could have a star,
oak leaves and swords added for “exceptional or outstanding
achievements”.
- The Grand
Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir
was founded at a later date as the highest decoration within this
Order (the star, swords or oak leaves could also be added)
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- Grand Order of Merit
and Order of Merit
came in 2 different shapes, a cross for the Catholic Croatians, and
a 6 pointed star for Muslim Croatians. Also, different sizes existed
for male and female recipients. The Order itself came in 4 classes,
with a Grand Order added as the highest form. These decorations
could be received by any citizen of the Independent State of
Croatia, for “acts of heroism, or for advancing the cause of
Croatian independence”.
- As stated, the Catholic Croatian
Order was shaped as an even sided cross, in red enamel, with silver
edges, a Croatian braid, and an Ustase crest in the center (also in
silver). The Muslim Croatians received a six-sided star in red
enamel, intertwined with a braid in silver, with the Ustase crest in
the center (in silver). order of Merit for Christians 2nd Class
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This Luftwaffe unit of
Croatian volunteers was formed on June 2, 1941, and had a fighter and a
bomber squadron. The fighter squadron was designated ‘15.(Kroatische)/JG
52’, and served on the Eastern Front with great success from October 6,
1941 - July, 1944. The bomber squadrom was titled ‘15.(Kroatische)/KG
53’, and served on the Eastern Front from October 25, 1941 - December of
1942. |
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This Kriegsmarine unit of
Croatian volunteers was formed in July, 1941, and served in the Black
Sea until October, 1943.
With the surrender of Italy in 1943,
the Italian veto on a Croatian Navy in the Adriatic Sea became null and
void, so the Croatian sailors were returned to Croatia for further
service.
Croatian Naval Legion Badge was worn
by members of the Legion while on the Eastern Front. The seamen, like
their pilot counterparts, were allowed to continue wearing these badges
upon the disbandment of their legions and assignment to Croatian
military units. |
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This is an aluminium cap
badge for the famous Croatian Nazi Army, the feared and hated Ustashi,
that fought against communist partisans in Yugoslavia during W.W.II. |
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Roumania |
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| The
Roumanian "Crusade Against Communism" medal 1944. |
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Bulgaria |
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Bulgarian Infantry
Honour badge (officer version) |
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