BalkanCollector

On this day in 1943, the Axis operation Fall Schwarz or the Battle of Sutjeska began. Over 120,000 Axis troops encircled 22,000 Yugoslav partisans and thousands of civilians which resulted in over 7,500 killed partisans, a couple of thousand killed civilians and many more wounded. It is estimated that the partisan casualties were 2/3 killed and wounded. 7th Banija Division of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia had 4,100 soldiers prior to the battle. Around 50% of its soldiers were killed during the battle's end in June. Only 550 soldiers of the division returned to Banija in September after heavy combat in Bosnia, Herzegovina and Montenegro. Out of those 550, many more were killed by the end of the war in 1945. My absolute favorite group from my collection, the awards of one of those 550 soldiers who also survived the war. Born in 1917 in Banija, a farmer who joined the uprising in 1941 for which he got Partizanska spomenica 1941./Partisan Commemorative Award of 1941 (award on the left). He was also awarded with an Order for Bravery (award on the right) for the Battle of Sutjeska. I colorised and repaired some damage on the photo from the booklet.

Knight #56 Eino Ilmari Juutilainen, awarded with the 2nd class twice on April 26, 1942 and June 28, 1944

Thank you for your interest! Knight #54 Paavo Elias Kahla, awarded with the 2nd class on April 26, 1942

Knight #52 Martti Johannes Aho, awarded with the 2nd class twice on March 1, 1942 and October 16, 1944

What a unique item! Thanks for sharing!

Knight #51 Pietari Aleksanteri Autti, awarded with the 2nd class on March 1, 1942

Knight #50 Ilmari Kalervo Honkanen, awarded with the 2nd class on February 27, 1942

Knight #48 Axel Erik Heinrichs, awarded with the 2nd class on February 5, 1942 and with the 1st class on December 31, 1941 I only found a photo of him wearing the 2nd class.

Knight #47 Jouko Untamo Hynninen, awarded with the 2nd class on January 14, 1942

Knight #44 Viljo Valtteri Suokas, awarded with the 2nd class on December 13, 1941

Knight #38 Eino Edvin Wenäläinen, awarded with the 2nd class on November 19, 1941

Knight #37 Veikko Saarelainen, awarded with the 2nd class on November 19, 1941

I also haven't known Audrey but it's always sad to hear someone from our field of interest go. May she rest in peace and my condolences to her family!

The size 34x68 mm is correct for the 4th and 5th class but I'm not sure about the 3rd. I guess it's a bit bigger.

Knight #35 Tauno Johannes Viiri, awarded with the 2nd class on November 13, 1941

It's definitely not the 3rd class judging by the crown. It's probably the 4th class if I see correctly that the lining is gilt. Compare the crowns of the 4th and 5th class to the crowns of other classes. It's a bit smaller. https://sr.wikipedia.org/sr-el/Краљевски_орден_Белог_орла#Знак_ордена Also, the ribbon isn't correct. This is how it should be.

Knight #34 Paavo Armas Korpi, awarded with the 2nd class on November 13, 1941

Thanks for the input. It would be interesting if he had a Finnish tank destroyer badge on this photo. Knight #33 Viljo Fritjof Salminen, awarded with the 2nd class on November 5, 1941 Another one with great detail.

Thank you for your interest and thank you for asking because you made me look for a more detailed photo and I've found one. I've replaced it and I think it's obvious now that the sleeve is thorn. Knight #26 Matti Varstala, awarded with the 2nd class on October 16, 1941

Knight #23 Antti Väinö Sokka, awarded with the 2nd class on October 12, 1941

Beautiful piece! How do you determine if the screwplate is made from silver? I've tried the "sound test" with some of the silver pieces from my collection but I guess my ear is not trained enough to know for sure.

Knight #22 Einar August Vihma, awarded with the 2nd class on October 12, 1941 Truly amazing details...

Knight #21 Kaarlo Aleksanteri Heiskanen, awarded with the 2nd class on October 7, 1941

I've felt such pain a number of times. I met a guy last summer who wanted to buy some silver medals/orders from me. After talking for some time he said that he likes buying silver stuff because he melts it to turn the profit. I just said goodbye and walked away after hearing that. Nice looking bar by the way!

Knight #18 Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, awarded with both classes on October 7, 1941