Iron Crescent

The original unpublished novel by me, anonymous.

The tale takes place in World War II, in the ravaged lands of Europe. The Nazi invasion has caused division in Yugoslavia, creating a new state. The Independent State of Croatia is a corrupt puppet government where this is all taking place. It is run by the Ustashi - staunch allies of Hitler.

In 1943, Mirza Arapovic, a 16-year-old Muslim from a town in the region of Bosnia, is living peacefully with his family. One day, he meets a beautiful Croatian girl named Paulina. The two become close friends, and they fall in love. They spend a lot of time together.

However, this changes when Mirza is approached by the Nazis. He is coerced into joining the Handschar division of the Waffen-SS. Mirza is distraught by this, though he cannot question his sargent. He also fears the wicked Mufti, Haj Amin al-Husseini - a friend of Hitler himself. Mirza grows disillusioned with the training and takes part in an uprising while stationed in France. When Mirza is set to be punished, he is rescued.

Mirza makes his way to the city of Venice by hiding in a helicopter. When he arrives, he meets Claudio Mazzon, a young, wealthy Italian who is under the oppression of his mother. Mirza finds out from Claudio that there is a local group dedicated to opposing the Nazis. He takes part in discussions with them.

Eventually, Mirza is brought into contact with Paulina once more. Paulina has joined a local resistance against the Ustashi government. Mirza is convinced to join so he can liberate his home from the tyranny. But Mirza also comes into contact with the Chetniks, including a vicious soldier named Dragan who is a devoted Serb nationalist. He also meets a group of Nazis from Germany who are commanding troops in Croatia.

Mirza and Paulina hope to get their homeland back. But they must watch out for the many perils that lie ahead.