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Croatia

The WW2 Medals

The Pavelic Medal for Bravery (obverse)
Instituted on 27 December 1941 by Poglavnik Dr. Ante Pavelic, for personal bravery in action and awarded in four grades : gold (gilt), large silver, small silver (silvered) and bronze. The last two grades were issued to next-of -kin of officers (small silver issue) or other ranks (bronze medal) that were killed in action.

Note the different suspension on the Gold Medal below, it is supposed to be the original one whereas the medals on the left are later manufactures.

Pavelic Gold Medal

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The Medal for the Wounded (obverse)
Instituted on 8 April 1943 in two grades : gilt for those killed in action, those that died of wounds or those that were seriously wounded and in iron (war metal) for the less seriously wounded. The ribbon can have one to three blue centre stripes according to the number of wounds and a gilt oak wreath is worn on the centre stripe in case of more than three wounds.

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The 5th December 1918 Commemorative Badge
This badge was instituted for award to the members of the Croatian Homeland Defence and civilians who demonstrated against the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and clashed with the Armed Serbian Police in Zagreb on that date, resulting in many casualties. The actual award took place on 5th December 1943 when 402 received the badge and 25 posthumous awards were made.

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The War Commemorative Badge
Instituted on 29 December 1943 and awarded to all personnel of the armed forces or other uniformed services for either 6 months combatant (with the state coat of arms displayed on the ribbon) or for 12 months non-combatant service related to the armed forces. The badge is worn from a ribbon through the second buttonhole of the tunic.

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Commemorative Badge for the Establishment of the Independent State of Croatia
Instituted on 9 March 1943 by the Poglavnik and awarded in commemoration of the proclamation of Croatia's independence.   Awarded in silver or bronze.

Independence Commemorative Badge

The Jubilee of Independence Medal 1918-1943
Instituted in December 1943 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Croatian independence from Austrian-Hungarian rule.

Independence Jubilee Medal, obverseIndependence Jubilee Medal, reverse

Ustashe badge of Honour with AP monogram
Awarded to those who on the 10th of April 1941 renewed their oath to defend the country and, with Ante Pavelic, returned from exile to serve in the Leader's Guard Battalion. 273 silver badges (of which 41 were posthumous awards) and 668 silver plated badges (including 105 posthumous awards) were issued.

Ustashe badge AP

 

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