Croatia (Independent Puppet Fascist State 1941-45): Bravery Medal. Small (silvered metal) type. Issued by the 'Ante Pavelic' regime

This silvered metal decoration is mounted on a traditional silk tri-fold medal riband, in the Croatian style, complete with fittings

The award was issue in 4 x types, large Gold (gilt) and large Silver (silvered metal) types measuring 41mm dimension, and small silver & bronze medals, these latter measuring 35mm dimension

The large gold medals are extremely rare, with less than 20 ever awarded. The smaller issues were 'posthumous' awards for issue to the next of the kin of those who had been killed or died of wounds. The small silver awards were awarded to next of kin of 'Officers', and the small bronze medals awarded to next of kin of fallen 'Other-Ranks'

The medal was awarded in different metals, and struck in different Axis countries, including Austrin & Germany, reflecting it's award as a bravery medal to both Croat personnel, as well as to foreign axis forces (Germany, Italy etc)

The Independent State of Croatia (Serbo-Croatian: Nezavisna Država Hrvatska, NDH; German: Unabhängiger Staat Kroatien; Italian: Stato indipendente di Croazia) was a World War II-era puppet state of Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy. It was established in parts of occupied Yugoslavia on 10 April 1941, after the invasion by the Axis powers. Its territory consisted of most of modern-day Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as some parts of modern-day Serbia and Slovenia, but also excluded many Croat-populated areas in Dalmatia (until late 1943), Istria, and Međimurje regions (which today are part of Croatia)

During its entire existence, the NDH was governed as a one-party state by the fascist Ustaša organization. The Ustaše was led by the Poglavnik, Ante Pavelić.The regime targeted Serbs, Jews and Roma as part of a large-scale campaign of genocide, as well as anti-fascist or dissident Croats and Bosnian Muslims. According to Stanely G. Payne, “crimes in the NDH were proportionately surpassed only by Nazi Germany, the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and several of the extremely genocidal African regimes

In the territory controlled by the Independent State of Croatia, between 1941 and 1945, there existed 22 concentration camps, including two dedicated for 'children'!

A scarce seen Second World War era 'Axis' bravery award

Condition: About EF

Code: 22153