Yugoslavia, Kingdom. A Royal Yugoslav Air Force Pilot Badge, C.1941

(JKRV = Jugoslovensko kraljevsko ratno vazduhoplovstvo). In silvered and gilt tombac, cast, measuring 64.5 mm (w) x 47.3 mm (h), both lugs and pin intact, light contact and surface wear, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Royal Yugoslav Air Force was the aerial warfare service component of the Royal Yugoslav Army (itself the land warfare branch of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia). It was formed in 1918 and existed until 1941 and the Invasion of Yugoslavia during the Second World War. Some eighteen aircraft and several hundred aircrew escaped the Axis invasion of April 1941 to the Allied base in Egypt, eventually flying with the Royal Air Force in the Northern Africa initially and then with the Balkan Air Force in Italy and Yugoslavia, with some even going on to join the Soviet Air Force, returning to Yugoslavia in 1944. Germany distributed captured Royal Yugoslav Air Force aircraft and spare parts to Romania, Bulgaria, Finland and the newly created Independent State of Croatia.