Croatia, Independent State. An Order Of Merit, Grand Cross Star, Christian Version consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac marked with the royal crown

marked with the royal crown and “800” on the reverse for silver content

The division operated in the Tigray Region and fought in the Battle of Shire

He was issued with the Karabiner 98k rifle

he was redeployed again to serve as First Guard Officer on U-48

Croatia, Independent State. An Order Of Merit, Grand Cross Star, Christian Version consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac marked with the royal crown(Red za zasluge). Instituted in 1942. Four piece construction, insignia in silver with red enamels, mounted to a silver eight pointed star base, each star pont with five emanating rays, with a single emanating ray between each star point, maker marked "BK" (Braa Knaus, Zagreb) and hallmarked with a Croatian goose flanked by a "III' at the left and an "A" at the right on the pin, inscribed "10. IV. ZA ZASLUGE 1942" on the reverse, measuring 85 mm (w) x