THE ROYAL YUGOSLAV COMMEMORATIVE WAR CROSS~ 1941-45 by Joseph Arner, B.Sc., M.B.A., LLB.

In the present era, the creation of commemorative decorations is becoming increasingly rare. Especially so, when it represents the indom- itable spirit of a royal personage expressing his respect for all those gallant men who served in the Western Allied Forces and their Auxiliary Services during World War II. This man, this Eing whose own life has been forged in the holocaust of war and whose devotion to his country is legendary, has continually remained in the forefront of the struggle for freedom and liberation of his people.

By royal proclamation, His Majesty King Peter II of Yugoslavia, Supreme Commander of the Yugoslav Armed Forces during World War II has created the Royal Yugoslav Commemorative War Cross, 1941-45. This decor- ation has been conferred upon many military notables who were in active command of Western Allied Operations.

Being a most discerning individual, His Majesty realizes that col- lectors, museums and numismatic societies contribute widely to the dis- semination of knowledge and the preservation of heritage. In a sincere desire to help continue this valuable work, he has graciously consented to make the War Cross available for such bona fide purposes.

The decoration itself is a beautiful example of the medallic crafts- man’s artistry. It consists of an azure blue enamelled cross, one and one-half inches in diameter, surmounted by a golden royal crown. At the center of the obverse of the cross is a royal portrait of King Peter II enclosed by two concentric bands of white and red enamel. On the reverse center is a portrait of the martyr General Mihailovitch with the words - In Memoriam 1941-45.

Between the arms of the cross, swords are displayed, indicating that

this decoration is awarded for wartime s~rvices. The Cross is made of 935 Fine Silver and anodized in gold. It is suspended from a one and one-half inch wide red, white and blue moire silk ribbon. For the collec- tor it is a most desirable decoration from the standpoint of historic significance, as well as attractiveness.

Undoubtedly many readers are eligible for the War Cross by virtue of service, and upon filing the requisite application, they will receive, as an additional consideration, a diploma in the Serbo-Croatian and English languages recording their award.

All requests for the War Cross should be directed to the Royal Fund of Saint Andrew, 16 West Forty-sixth Street, New York, New York, 10036, indicating whether the applicant wishes to obtain it as a collector or by virtue of wartime service. The Chancellery of His Majesty has designated the Royal Fund of Saint Andrew as the administrator for the distribution of the War Cross in the United States, so as to process all requests quickly and efficiently.

Because of the exceedingly heavy demand, it is suggested that those desiring to take advantage of this offer do so at the earliest opportu- nity, before the present limited supply is distributed.

"THE HILT OF THE SWORD" - is a new book on the career of Gen. Peyton C. March. Written by Edward M. Coffman, it is published by the University of Wisconsin Press. The illustrated volume runs to 346 pages and is priced at $10.

Although March made his mark in Army history as a staff officer, he came to the job with years of experience as a troop commander. As a young lieutenant, he wonthe Silver Star during combat in the Philippine Insurrection following the Spanish-American War.

It is said of him that "Someone else invented the Army General Staff~ but Gen. Peyton C. March made it work." His career spanned the period from the time he attended the funeral of U.S. Grant as a West Point Cadet until he could be found following with in~eres~ the Korean War news before his death in 1955 at the age of 90.

John Holloway

I@

Njegovo Veli~anstvo

PETArt II Po milosti Bo~ijoj i volji narodnoj

Kralj Jugoslavije

Vrhovni komandant kraljevskih oru~anih

Jugoslovenskih snaga za vreme Drugog Svetskog

rata, blagovoleo je potpisati slededi UKAZ:

~eledi dati dokaza Na~eg blagovoljenja i priznanja

za pokazanu vernost i odanost u borbi

za slobodu svoga naroda,

ODLIKUJEMO:

Dr. GEOR6E LUCIAN PODLUSMY DE SAS

Ratnim Krstom-spomenice I941-45