The Croatian arm shield for members of Croatian combat units during World War II represents a significant testament to the complex military and political conditions in the Independent State of Croatia (Nezavisna Država Hrvatska, NDH) between 1941 and 1945.

Following the Wehrmacht's Balkans Campaign in April 1941 and the collapse of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Independent State of Croatia was proclaimed on April 10, 1941, under the leadership of the fascist Ustaša regime led by Ante Pavelić. This satellite state of the German Reich and Fascist Italy encompassed not only present-day Croatia but also large parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The military formations of the NDH were diversely structured. Besides the regular Domobranstvo (Home Guard), various combat units existed, including the Ustaša militia, Croatian legionnaire units, and from 1943 onwards, increasingly units that cooperated directly with or were integrated into the German Wehrmacht. Particularly significant were the Croatian volunteer units that fought on the German side on the Eastern Front, such as the 369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment, popularly known as the “Devil's Regiment,” and later the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS “Handschar” and the 23rd Waffen Mountain Division of the SS “Kama”.

Arm shields of this type served to identify membership in specific units and were part of the complex system of military insignia and rank markings. The manufacture from aluminum using the embossing process was characteristic of many uniform insignia of this period, as this method enabled cost-effective mass production while maintaining a certain aesthetic quality. The partial lacquering served both for coloring and corrosion protection.

The lateral drill holes for sewing were the standard attachment method for cloth insignia and allowed permanent attachment to the uniform. Croatian manufacture of such insignia often took place in local workshops and manufactories, with quality varying depending on the manufacturer and production period.

In the context of the NDH's military hierarchy and uniform design, such insignia played an important role in identification and creating esprit de corps. The Croatian armed forces partially adopted German and Italian models but also developed their own traditions and symbolism, frequently drawing on historical Croatian motifs.

The military contribution of Croatian units in World War II was characterized by deployments both on the Eastern Front and in anti-partisan operations in the Balkans. The Yugoslav Partisans under Josip Broz Tito conducted a fierce guerrilla war against the Axis powers and their collaborators, keeping the region in turmoil until the war's end in 1945.

After the collapse of the German Reich in May 1945 and the conquest of Croatia by the Partisans, the existence of the NDH also ended. Many members of the Croatian armed forces fled or were captured. The uniforms and insignia of these units were largely destroyed after the war or preserved by veterans as personal mementos.

From today's perspective, such military objects are important historical sources for understanding the complex political and military conditions in the Balkans during World War II. They document the reality of an unjust regime and its military structures without glorifying the historical crimes. Academic engagement with such artifacts enables a nuanced view of history and contributes to historical reconciliation.