The old german-croatianbrotherhood-in- arms

This article examines how the idea of a historical German-Croatian brotherhood-in-arms played a significant ideological role in strengthening the alliance between the Third Reich and the Independent State of Croatia. The ‘blood-bond’ between the two states was not only forged on the battlefield – above all on the Eastern front where Croatian volunteers fought in the Wehrmacht – but also through the convergence of their racial policies directed against Jews, Gypsies and Serbs. While the traditional image of the loyal and brave Croatian soldier reinforced Adolf Hitler’s sympathy for the NDH, it also fortified the determination of Ante Pavelić to stand by the side of Germany until the final end.