THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CROATIAN HOME GUARD

Motif: Decorations and insignia of the Croatian Home Guard (Domobranstvo) Due to strong political pressure from the Hungarians, the central imperial Austro-Hungarian court was compelled to divide the Monarchy into two parts: the Austrian and the Hungarian. Despite the violent opposition from the Hungarians, the Croats succeded in establishing their own army on December 5, 1868 the Croatian Home Guard was formed. After the end of World War l the Croatian Home Guard were disbanned. They fought their last battle on December 5, 1918 on Jelačić Square. In their attempt to prevent the forceful annexation of the Croatian lands to Serbia and to establish independent Croatia, 15 young lives were sacrificed. World War ll brought the Croatian Home Guard back to the historic scene. They were the main force of the Croatian army in the Independent Croatian State (NDH). The idea of the continuity of the Croatian state was emphasized with the name Home Guard and their honourable tradition was given full appreciation. The regular forces, which consisted of the Armed forces, the Navy and the Air Forces, filled its ranks with young recruits and mobilized regulars. By the end of the war, the number of 65 000 soldiers in 1941 increased to 230 000. True patriots, devoted to their country the Home Guards fearlessly defended Croatia's interests and yet were free of any political influence or ideology. The defeat of the Axis forces and their allied countries at the end of World War ll caused great suffering and hardship to thousand of Croatian soldiers and civilians. Their attempt to surrender to Allied fources in order to escape the Communist retaliation fell through. Thousand of them who were delivered to the Yugoslav army disappeared in numerous liquidations as "hostile elements". The stamp was printed in sheets of 20 pieces each. HPT issued a first day cover (FDC) and a commemorative sheet.