‘Yesterday, a large fixed sign “Victorija” fell from the city hall onto the head of a police detective Alija Delpašić who was afterwards taken to hospital where he died. Investigations are continuing. A report will follow.’ So wrote Ivan Tolj, director of the Ustasha police, from Sarajevo in a telegram to the Ministry of the Interior on 16 December 1941. Earlier that summer, the victory sign had been omnipresent in billboards, placards, on the sides of state buildings and on banners at rallies throughout the Croatian state.