| Added by |
 Alain Martineau
|
| General Description : | Serie: 143, Type: P, Stamps in serie: 2 Motif: Two crosses symbolize two tragic events remote in time and space, in the history of the Croats In the first half of the 19th century the Croatian political scene was dominated by two opposing parties and conflicting political conceptions. The Croatian-Hungarian party (The Magyarons) was advocating a close relations with Hungary and the populist Illyrian party which was supporting the unification of all Croatian lands. The Illyrians won the 1842 elections for administrative positions in the Zagreb region. The results of these elections were cancelled and in the second round the Magyarons won victory over the Illyrians. On 29 July 1845, the elections ended in bitter fightings between the Illyrians and the Austrian troops. Fifteen demonstrators were killed and thirty were injured in riots on Marko's square. The funeral service of the innocent victims turned into bitter anti-Austrian demonstrations. One of the immediate consequences of these tragic events was loosening of Vienna's dominance over Zagreb and the introduction of the Croatian language as obligatory subject in Zagreb Academy. The aftermath of the Second World War, which started in Europe, was tragic for all European countries. The defeat of the Axis countries at the end of the war and their destiny was equally shared by the Independent State of Croatia. The increased successes of partisan guerilla forces coupled with the invasion of the Russian forces on the territory of Yugoslavia caused the retreat of the Croatian regular forces ("domobrani"), of the "ustashi" and several hundred thousands of civilians towards the Austrian border. Their aim was to reach Austria and surrender to the nearest Ally forces. The first contact between the British forces and the Croatian refugees took place near Bleiburg, a small town close to the border, on 14 May, 1945. After the British had stopped the Croats, they started negotiated. The final result of these negotiations was the unconditioned surrender of the Croatian refugees to partisans, wizh a very loose English promise to treat them fear. Only a few hours later followed the retaliation of the Yugo-partisans over disarmed Croatian soldiers and civilians. During the following months, scores of Croatian refugees were killed on their death march through Yugoslavia. The exact number of victims has never been established. According to available sources and statements of the surviving victims and their executioners, this number can range from several dozens to several hundred thousands. |
| Face value | 3.80 Kuna |
| Catalog code (Michel) | HR 322 |
| Catalog code | Stamp Number HR 242 Yvert et Tellier HR 291 Stanley Gibbons HR 353 AFA number HR 357 Croatian post Inc. HR 144 |
| Series | Tragedy of the Croatian people |
| Stamp colour | multicolor |
| Stamp use | Commemorative stamp |
| Print run | 350,000 |
| Issue date | 15/05/1995 |
| Designer | Boris Ljubičić |
| Paper type | white 115g, gummed |
| Print technique | Multicoloured Offsetprint |
| Printed by | Zrinski - Čakovec |
| Perforation | 14, comb |
| Height | 30.00 mm |
| Width | 36.00 mm |
| Catalog prices | No catalog prices set yet |
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