Germany, Protectorate Of Bohemia And Morvaia. A Pair Of National Partnership Membership Pins

(Nationale Gemeinschaft Mitgliedsabzeichen). A pair of National Partnership (Národní souručenství/Nationale Gemeinschaft) membership pins, including a stick pin version, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a red and white enameled shield, overlaid by blue and black enameled squares bearing gilt initials “NS”, topped by a blue enameled inscription of “VLASTI ZDAR” (“HAIL THE MOTHERLAND”), unmarked, measuring 15 mm (w) x 18 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; a boutonniere version, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, of identical appearance, the reverse maker marked “B. KARTOUS, BRNO”, measuring 14 mm (w) x 16 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The National Partnership (Národní souručenství/Nationale Gemeinschaft) was the only legal political party in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, with membership obligatory for all Czech males over the age of 18. It was established on 21 March 1939 by a merger of the Party of National Unity and the National Labour Party. Seen as largely a rubber stamp entity for the German occupational authorities, by 1943 it had largely become a vehicle for the dissemination of National Socialist propaganda in the Protectorate. Its leader throughout the war was Emil Hácha, who was placed under arrest after the liberation of Prague by the Red Army, dying under mysterious circumstances on 28 June 1945 in Pankrác Prison.