To mark the 45th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II, the All-Union Council of War and Labor Veterans of the USSR decided to issue a special commemorative badge entitled “Partizan of Yugoslavia – Citizen of the USSR”. This badge is distinguished by its unusual nature and rarity given the very small number of pieces produced. That number is significantly smaller than similar veteran badges issued for Soviet military jubilees. Initially, it was planned to produce 400 copies of this badge, but ultimately only 200 were made.
The relations between Yugoslavia and the USSR had a very complex history. Although both countries shared a similar political system, relations after 1948 were very poor, and even on the brink of armed conflict. The situation improved after Stalin's death, but a certain mistrust always existed between the two countries. This was especially pronounced on the Soviet side, which viewed Yugoslavia as a sort of „renegade“ from the communist political block. That is why it is very unusual that the USSR even decided to create such a commemorative sign.
At the beginning of World War II, the leadership of the Red Army made poor decisions that resulted in the capture of hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers and officers by the Germans. Stalin’s 1942 order declared all captured Red Army soldiers and officers to be “enemies of the people,” and their families were sent to Siberian camps. Even Stalin’s son Yakov was captured by the enemy, and his wife was sent to prison. Stalin refused to agree to his exchange for the captured German Field Marshal von Paulus.
During the war, a number of Soviet soldiers and officers managed to escape German captivity and join Tito's partisans. These Soviet soldiers reached the end of the war in the units of the Yugoslav Army. Around 4,000 Soviet citizens fought in the People's Liberation Army and Partisan Detachments of Yugoslavia, and more than 3,000 were awarded Yugoslav decorations. However, after the end of the war, and especially after 1948, these soldiers faced the threat of arrest in the USSR on suspicion of being „enemies of the people“ and „Yugoslav spies.“ Therefore, the smartest thing for them to do was to keep quiet about their wartime service in the Yugoslav partisans.
Despite political disagreements and conflicts, in 1990 the issuance of this commemorative badge began as a recognition of all living Soviet veterans who participated in the Yugoslav People's Liberation War.
The sign itself is made of an unassuming aluminum alloy of the kind used to make numerous Soviet badges.
The sign is oval in shape, measuring 35 x 38 mm. The sign hangs from a small plate made of the same alloy.
The central part of the emblem is the main part of the Soviet decoration, the Order of the Patriotic War (Орден Отечественной войны) – a large red five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle in the center. On the star is a white ring with the inscription: ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННАЯ ВОЙНА (Patriotic War) and a small five-pointed star.
Above the left arm of the star is the USSR flag, and above the right, that of Yugoslavia. Between the lower two arms of the star is a white ribbon with the years: 1941-1945.
In the lower part of the sign is a half-wreath of laurel leaves.
The plaque on which the sign hangs is pentagon-shaped. The central part is red and contains the inscription: PARTISAN / OF YUGOSLAVIA / CITIZEN OF THE USSR.
On the reverse side of the badge is the inscription: PARTICIPANT / OF THE PEOPLE'S / LIBERATION / WAR / OF YUGOSLAVIA (Participant of the National Liberation War of Yugoslavia).
Along with this badge, a booklet-style document was also issued, similar to the one for Soviet commemorative medals. The certificate was signed by the Deputy Vice-Chairman of the All-Union Council of War and Labor Veterans, R. I. Kravchenko.
Author: Zlatko Viščević
Photos: Coins, Banknotes & Militaria Store [www.cbm-store.com].
