Croatia. A Military Order of Trefoil Award Doc. to SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Berchtold
A formal award document for the WW2 Croatian Military Order of Trefoil 4th Class with Oakleves (for Gallantry in action), awarded to SS-Obersturmbannführer 6./ I.SS- Geb. Jg. Rgt. Karl Berchtold; issued in Zagreb, on September 6, 1943. Reason for the award was for his "Exceptionally brave conduct and successful leadership of his unit in the battles against the bandits (Partisans), in September of 1943, on the road from Sinj to Split."
Document measures 28.5cm x 37.cm, signed in ink by Croatian General Navratil on the bottom left, and on right bottom side by General Ivan Perčević. Folded, in very fine condition and scarce to SS-Obersturmbannführer of the 7th SS Mountain Division "Prinz Eugen" (11. SS-Freiwilligen Gebirgs-Division "Prinz Eugen").
Footnote: in August 1943, the Division "Prinz Eugen" became a part of the XV Mountain Corps and was sent to the Dalmatian coast, to disarm the Italian forces in September 1943 after the Italian Government had surrendered to the Allies. In exploiting Italian capitulation, Tito's Partisan's Army succeeded in seizing control of the most part of the Dalmatian coast. In sixteen-days long battle the division, together with 92nd Motorized Regiment, pushed back Partisan units and on September 29 reoccupied Split.

