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Order was instituted in 1947 and at first it had three class, two more were added in 1955 so in the end it had 5 classes in total. It was awarded for outstanding contributions to the development and strengthening of peaceful cooperation and friendship between Yugoslavia and other nations. This, lowest, class was awarded 769 times which is strange because all of the higher classes were awarded more frequently.

Second and third class from my collection. The order was instituted in 1943, first types (as seen on the photo) were made by Moscow Mint, second by Yugoslav IKOM. According to some available sources second class was awarded 1.531 (881 Soviet types) and third class 10.384 times (9277 Soviet types).

Romanian ribbon bar, detail. The bar consists of ribbons for 10 decorations: 1. Order of the Crown with Swords 4. class, Military Virtue Medal ribbon 2. Order of the Star of Romania with Swords 5. class, Military Virtue Medal ribbon 3. Order of the Crown with Swords 5. class, Military Virtue Medal ribbon 4. Order of the German Eagle with Swords 5. Order of the Star of Romania 5. class (2nd type) 6. Medal for 25 Years of Military Service 7. WW1 Commemorative Cross 8. Crusade Against Bolshevism Medal 9. WW1 Victory Medal 10. King Carol I Centennial Medal For those interested complete ribbon bar can be seen in this topic: http://gmic.co.uk/in...ia-ribbon-bars/

In front of the Office house of the National Assembly, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Small collection of original Yugoslav Air Forces patches made out of cloth and rubber-like material. They were collected by a former pilot. Beware, there are many copies out there, most of them are completely made our of that rubber-like material and very often offered as originals!

Surface ships badge for naval officers was introduced in 1977 and worn on left side of the uniform. Dimensions 37mm x 39mm. They were made by IKOM and they are numbered.

Close-up of one of the eagles.

Solitary confinement rooms on the attic. In some of these rooms floor was completely covered with barbed wire which can still be seen. In the beginning intended as a transit camp but quickly transformed into a concentration camp by the German occupiers.

Infantry fighting vehicle of the Serbian Armed Forces. Photo was taken during preparations for military parade "March of the Victorious".

Awarded to my great-great grandfather's brother, cavalry colonel at the time. It is made by Arthus-Bertrand and it's in pretty bad shape because it was given to my father when he was a child to play with. Without a doubt my favorite piece and probably the biggest reason why I got so interested in decorations.

This monument and crypt with remains of Imperial Russian soldiers was finished in 1936. It is located at Belgrade's Novo groblje (eng. New Cemetery). Author is Roman N. Verkhovsky, co-author is Valery Stashevsky and the idea came from Mikhail Skorodumov Imperial Russian officer and later general. According to information I found in one article the crypt contains remains of 13 officers and 274 NCOs and soldiers of the 2. and 4. special infantry brigade exhumed from southern parts of Kingdom (Thessaloniki Front), 138 NCОs and soldiers who lost their lives during the defense of Belgrade 1914-15, two sailors from the steamboat "Tiraspol" and 66 soldiers who died in Austro-Hungarian POW camps. Above the entrance to the crypt is written "Rest in peace warrior eagles" (Спите, орлы боевые). There are two more inscriptions, one also in Russian "Eternal glory to the Emperor Nicholas II and 2 000 000 Russian soldiers of the Great War" (Вечная память Императору Николаю Второму и 2 000 000 русских воинов Великой войны) and other on the back side in Serbian "To our brothers Russians bravely fallen during defense of Belgrade, on Thessaloniki front and other parts of Kingdom of Yugoslavia 1914-1918" (Храбро палој браћи Русима при одбрани Београда, на Солунском фронту и осталој територији Краљевине Југославије 1914-1918). Next to the monument is Russian Necropolis with around 3000 remains of Russian emigres and Iverskaya Chapel, an exact copy of the chapel that was demolished by the Bolsheviks in Moscow’s Red Square. I visited this place many times because some of my ancestors are buried not more that couple of steps behind the crypt. Two of them lost their lives during Great War, my great-great grandfather, lieutenant colonel of the Royal Army, was captured by Bulgarian troops and buried alive in 1915 and his son, infantry 2nd lieutenant, who lost his life previous year during Serbian offensive in Srem. He was only 21.

Yugoslav Air Force introduced flight badges in 1953. This particular type with six torches in the coat of arms is from 1963. Material: Silver 900/1000 Weight: 19 grams Dimensions: 39mm x 53mm. Badges were worn on the upper right pocket of the blouse.