paja

Now back to that unnumbered ZIN. First row: Numbered IKOM Second row: 1 Unnumbered IKOM; 2 Gilded Unnumbered IKOM; 3 Unnumbered ZIN Third row: Numbered ZIN Some details are different, for example notice how orders made by IKOM (all three variants!) have very visible pattern in the lower part of the front side. Third order in the second row is obviously different and so are all of the ZIN made pieces from the third row.

So all in all 2 types and 5 variants of the Yugoslav type. There are some variations of the Yugoslav type which I didn't include in the list, perhaps later when I gather enough material. Type 1 (Soviet production) Type 2.1 (Yugoslav production, numbered ZIN) Type 2.2 (Yugoslav production, numbered IKOM) Type 2.3 (Yugoslav production, unnumbered ZIN) Type 2.4 (Yugoslav production, unnumbered IKOM) Type 2.5 (Yugoslav production, gilded unnumbered IKOM)

Type 2.5 (Yugoslav production, gilded unnumbered IKOM)

Type 2.4 (Yugoslav production, unnumbered IKOM)

Type 2.3 (Yugoslav production, unnumbered ZIN!) Photos found on Sammler, I'll explain later why I think this order was made by ZIN and not IKOM.

Is that the case in which the Soviets delivered orders? I ask because Yugoslav decorations made in USSR were delivered in very similar cases. Here are couple of pictures from the awarding ceremony held in December 1944.

Type 2.2 (Yugoslav production, numbered IKOM)

Type 2.1 (Yugoslav production, numbered ZIN)

I'd like to start from the beginning and go through all variations of the order with corrected information especially because most of the images I used before are no longer visible. I'm having troubles making a complete classification of the Yugoslav decorations because there are so many different variants of certain orders. Here's what I came up with when it comes to this particular decoration. In order to simplify things I divided them in two main types, Soviet and Yugoslav. Type 1 (Soviet production)

Here's one more comparison I made a few seconds ago. Partisan Star 3rd Class made by IKOM versus "Numbered ZIN" Bravery Order. This is one of the reasons why I think those Bravery Orders were actually made by IKOM!

Number 1 - Bravery: 10848,16882; Merits: 1932 Number 2 - Bravery: 16882, 54927; Merits: 1932 Number 3 - Bravery: 34854; Merits: 1932 Number 4 - Bravery: 10848, 34854, 54927; Merits: 5454 Number 5 - Bravery: 34854, 54927; Merits: 5454, 7657 Number 6 - Bravery: 6882; Merits: 7657; Number 7 - Bravery: 54927; Merits: 7657; Number 8 - Bravery: 10848,16882, 34854; Merits 1814; Number 9 - Bravery: 54927; Merits: 1932

Order of Merits for the People 3rd class, first type, low numbers, wider screw nut with Cyrillic inscription "ЗАВОД ЗА ИЗРАДУ НОВЧАНИЦА". Third image is from ebay, fourth one is from Sammler's base.

I'll start by posting photos of orders I used for the comparison. First Bravery Order.

After doing some further research I came to a conclusion that the earliest Yugoslav Bravery Orders ("numbered IKOM type") were actually made by ZIN. On the other hand "ZIN numbered type" was most likely made by IKOM. Everything I wrote before in this topic is based on online sources, especially Sammler's base, and "forum knowledge" if I may use that term. One day I noticed similarities between numbers stamped on the back side of what we thought is IKOM's Bravery order and early (low number) Order of Merits for the People made by ZIN. After that I compared all 10 figures and there's no doubt that they are absolutely the same. So either both factories used the same numbers (which didn't seem very likely to me) either that type of Bravery Order was actually made by ZIN. Looking for material to back up my claims I checked Rudež's book in which one can read the following: "The production of Orders and Medals for Bravery was organized in the second half of 1945 by ZIN Belgrade, and after that by IKOM Zagreb... Bravery Orders made in USSR and orders made by ZIN have serial numbers on reverse while orders made by IKOM don't have any markings on the back side." Now here's the puzzle, same thing goes for the "ZIN numbered type" and IKOM made Partisan stars, numbers on their back sides are pretty much the same (bear in mind that there are two different types of numbers on Partisan stars). I'll try to post comparisons and some more information tomorrow.

One like yours got sold over ebay couple of weeks ago, you can find it here. Seller's description: "Very Rare WW1 French Commemorative Medal For Serbia During WW1, as a way of fundraising, the French Government authorised groups to organize nationwide days that became known as "Journées". These days normally helped to raise funds for French soldiers (les Poilus), their wives and children. Other days were set aside to raise funds for allied forces such as Belgium and, in particular Serbia - a country that suffered devastating military and civilian casualties. By the end of 1915, it was estimated that one sixth of the country's population was dead. This beautiful and rare hollowed white metal medal measures 43 x 34 mm and has the Serbian Royal Coat of Arms which consists of two main heraldic symbols representing the national identity of the Serbian people across the centuries - the Serbian eagle (a white double-headed eagle adopted from the Nemanjić dynasty) and the Serbian cross. It bears the legend "Tempus Et Meum Jus" (The Time Is Right), the motto of Milan Obrenović who was the ruler of Serbia from 1868 to 1889, first as Prince (1868-1882), subsequently as King Milan I (1882-1889)."

I'm not sure because of the angle but that might be White Eagle 3rd class.

It looks like the name of the regiment ends with -ЂА so possibly "КАРАЂОРЂА" (KARAĐORĐA) which means the flag from the last photo could belong to 11th infantry regiment. IR 11 was awarded with the Order of the Star of Karađorđe with Swords 3rd class so that third class with the missing central medallions is probably missing the swords as well. Since we are talking about regimental flags there's one in Vienna today. It was bought by the Museum in 2013 on Andreas Thies' auction #53, more information can be found here.

Interesting photo, should be from before December 1932 as the factory was completely relocated to Zemun at that time. Novi Sad factory was producing seaplanes while the fighters were being made in Zemun.

You are welcome, here's the rest. I have to check but it is possible that the list of decorated units doesn't end there.

If you are researching unit decorations this might be useful, Official Military Gazette.

List of members is available here. Might be of use to someone doing a family or other kind of research. It includes information about rank, regiment, decorations, year and place of birth.

One more found on Wikipedia.

Next time I visit the Military Muesum I'll try to make as much photos as I can and post them in this topic... Until then - a flag used on Yugoslav submarine Nebojša (Небојша) and Junkers JU87 tail found here.

Many thanks, Graf! I can't help but notice Karađorđe was not among offered decorations but yet appeared on emedals later. Does anyone know what happened with his Order of the Cross of Takovo?

Thanks, I really wasn't sure about the recipient...