An Italian-Croatian Legion Officer’s Badge 1942 by S. Johnson, Milano

Badge in gilded bronze and enamels, reverse silvered, by maker “S. Johnson, Milano”, 37.5mm (w) x 42.0mm (h), of excellent quality manufacture, near mint condition and very rare. Footnote: Italian-Croatian Legion was established in 1942, composed (mostly) of Italian Officers and Croatian enlisted men and NCO’s. Legion was equipped by the Italians and also trained in Italy, with intention of being sent to the Russian Front. However, as the Partisan’s Forces in Yugoslavia grew and threatened Axis interests in the Balkans, these units were sent to fight Tito’s Partisans instead; the Legion was mostly active in Bosnia-Herzegovina continuously engaging the Partisans. With the capitulation of Italy in 1943 the Legion was reorganized into Croatian units, while its Italian-related insignia was disallowed.