ZAGRED 1966 INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS IN SPAIN 1936-9 MEDAL

[numis]

Would anyone have any concrete information  ( awarding authority ; award criteria; recipient population ; number awarded etc ) about a base metal medal awarded to " VOLUNTARIOUS INTERNACIONALES DE LA LIBERTAD  " at a meeting in Zagreb 30.x.1966

The medal is nonwearable , circular , uniface and the obverse depicts  a clenched hand above a map of Spain over a Star above a circle . Also the dates " 1936 1966"

The plain reverse of a specimen seen is stamped " SISKO ANTI " ( presumably recipient name ) and "  SKOPSTINA GRADA ZAGREBA 30.X.1966 " 

[Drugo]

Numis,

I do have one of these medals, cased, at home. I can take pictures if you are interested to see.

 

Consider that there were only about 1,600 Yugoslav volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, half of whom died during the conflict. Many more died thereafter, during WWII, fighting with Tito's partisans in Yugoslavia. On the other hand, many of those who survived raised to cover prominent positions in Socialist Yugoslavia, from being ambassadors, politicians, military leaders, etc. This makes any medal, document etc. of the Association of Yugoslav Spanish Fighters a rarity indeed.

 

In 1966 the Municipality of Zagreb, SR Croatia, decided to mark the 30th anniversary since the start of the war by issuing this nominal table medal to Spanish veterans - I am not sure if from the city of Zagreb only or broader. But I think about 100+ of these were struck overall. 

 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Drugo

[numis]

Thank you for your response and the information contained therein Drugo

It might be of interest to other members to see a photo of the medal .I do not have the equipment to post one myself 

I wonder whether the Zagreb celebration was confined  to Yugoslavian Veterans only or whether veterans from other countries were invited to attend as well

I believe that previously the Yugoslav Veterans had issued or been issued a  wearable ribboned medal for Spain 1936-9

Numis 

[Drugo]

Hey Numis,

 

Excuse my week-long replies.

 

Here are some pictures of my Zagreb medallion. Definitely these were given/the conferences were intended for Yugoslav participants to the Spanish War only! My only question is whether this one specifically was given to all veterans or only those of Croatian origin. Because as far as I remember all medals of this type that I've seen bear Croat names.

 

 

[numis]

Thank you for posting the photos Drugo

I am wondering whether the name on the specimen that I have seen ( SISKO ANTI ) would be Croation ?

[Drugo]

Yes, indeed, numis:

 

Ante Šiško, born in 1914 in the village of Komorani – Livno (today Bosnia and Herzegovina), worker, arrived in Spain as a volunteer for the republican cause on 5.12.1936. from France. He died in November 1991 in Beočin (Serbia).

 

My man: 

 

Anton Užarević, born in 1915 in Tovarnik – Vukovar (Croatia), worker, arrived in Spain on 7.2.1937 from Yugoslavia. He died in 1981 in Poland.

Edited December 23, 2021 by Drugo

[numis]

Thank you Drugo for the information on Ante Sisko .It is much appreciated