The Croatian Armed Forces were formed in 1944 with the uniting of the Croatian Home Guard (''Domobrani'') and the Ustaše militia in the

Independent State of Croatia The Independent State of Croatia ( sh, Nezavisna Država Hrvatska, NDH; german: Unabhängiger Staat Kroatien; it, Stato indipendente di Croazia) was a World War II-era puppet state of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy (1922–1943), Fascist It ...

. It was established by the fascist regime of Ante Pavelić in the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), an Axis puppet state in Yugoslavia during World War II. The Croatian Armed Forces ( hr, Hrvatske oružane snage, HOS) was reorganized in November 1944 to combine the units of the Ustaše and Domobrani into eighteen divisions, comprising 13 infantry, two mountain, two assault and one replacement Croatian divisions, each with its own organic artillery and other support units. There were also several armoured units, equipped in late 1944 with 20 Pz IIIN and 15

Pz IV The ''Panzerkampfwagen'' IV (Pz.Kpfw. IV), commonly known as the ''Panzer'' IV, was a German medium tank developed in the late 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War. Its ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 161. The Panze ...

F and H medium tanks. From early 1945, the Croatian divisions were allocated to various German corps and by March 1945 were holding the Southern Front. Securing the rear areas were some 32,000 men of the Croatian

Gendarmerie Wrong info! --> A gendarmerie () is a military force with law enforcement duties among the civilian population. The term ''gendarme'' () is derived from the medieval French expression ', which translates to " men-at-arms" (literally, ...

(''Hrvatsko Oružništvo''), organised into 5 Police Volunteer Regiments plus 15 independent battalions, equipped with standard light infantry weapons, including mortars. By the end of March, 1945, it was obvious to the Army command that, although the front remained intact, they would eventually be defeated by sheer lack of ammunition. For this reason, the decision was made to retreat across the border into the

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...

part of the Third Reich, in order to surrender to the British forces advancing north from

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

Croatian Home Guard

Ustaše Militia

Croatian Gendarmerie

The Croatian

(''Hrvatsko Oružništvo'') was formed on 30 April 1941 as rural police under Major-General Milan Miesler. By September 1943, there were 18,000 men in seven regional regiments. These were divided into 23 companies (one per county plus one for

Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slop ...

). The companies were subdivided into 142 district platoons, each with several posts. In early 1942, a three-battalion Combined Gendarmie Regiment, in July redesignated ''Petrinja Brigade'', was established for anti-Partisan operations in

Slavonia Slavonia (; hr, Slavonija) is, with Dalmatia, Croatia proper, and Istria, one of the four historical regions of Croatia. Taking up the east of the country, it roughly corresponds with five Croatian counties: Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja ...

.Twelve of the independent Police Volunteer Battalions formed the ''Croatian Gendarmerie Division'' in 1945.

History

Organization

Marching order at end of 1944

*1. Poglavnik Bodyguard Division *1. Croatian Assault Division **Commander: General Ante Moškov **Headquarters:

*2. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Mirko Gregurić **Headquarters:

*3. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Stjepan Mifek **Headquarters:

Vinkovci Vinkovci () is a city in Slavonia, in the Vukovar-Syrmia County in eastern Croatia. The city's registered population was 28,247 in the 2021 census, the total population of the city was 31,057, making it the largest town of the county. Surrounde ...

*4. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Antun Nardelli **Headquarters:

Dvor na Uni Dvor ( sr-Cyrl, Двор) is a municipality in the Banovina region in central Croatia. Administratively it belongs to the Sisak-Moslavina County and is located across the Una River from Novi Grad in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dvor is an underdevel ...

*5. Croatian Assault Division **Commander: General Rafael Boban **Headquarters: Bjelovar *6. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General

Vladimir Metikoš Vladimir Metikoš (7 July 1899 – 24 September 1945) was a Croatian general in the then Independent State of Croatia (NDH).''Tko je tko u NDH'', Zagreb, 1997, p. 268; Biography Born in Banja Luka, he was posted during World War I to the I ...

**Headquarters:

Banja Luka Banja Luka ( sr-Cyrl, Бања Лука, ) or Banjaluka ( sr-Cyrl, Бањалука, ) is the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the largest city of Republika Srpska. Banja Luka is also the ''de facto'' capital of this entity. I ...

*7. Croatian Mountain Division **Commander: General Stjepan Perčić **Headquarters:

Nova Kapela Nova Kapela is a municipality in Brod-Posavina County, Croatia. There are 4,227 inhabitants in the following settlements: * Batrina, population 1,005 * Bili Brig, population 272 * Donji Lipovac, Croatia, Donji Lipovac, population 248 * Dragovci, ...

Batrina Batrina is a village in Slavonia region of Croatia. The settlement is administered as a part of Nova Kapela municipality, Brod-Posavina County. According to the 2001 census, the village has 1005 inhabitants. It is connected by the D49 state ro ...

*8. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Roman Domanik **Headquarters:

Sarajevo Sarajevo ( ; cyrl, Сарајево, ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 275,524 in its a ...

*9. Croatian Mountain Division **Commander: General Božidar Zorn **Headquarters:

Mostar Mostar (, ; sr-Cyrl, Мостар, ) is a city and the administrative center of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the historical capital of Herzegovina. Mostar is sit ...

*10. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Ivan Tomašević **Headquarters: Bihać *11. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: Colonel Juraj Rukavina **Headquarters: Gospić *12. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: Colonel Slavko Cesarić **Headquarters:

Brčko Brčko ( sr-cyrl, Брчко, ) is a city and the administrative seat of Brčko District, in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies on the banks of Sava river across from Croatia. As of 2013, it has a population of 39,893 inhabitants. De jure, ...

*13. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Tomislav Rolf **Headquarters:

Karlovac Karlovac () is a city in central Croatia. According to the 2011 census, its population was 55,705. Karlovac is the administrative centre of Karlovac County. The city is located on the Zagreb- Rijeka highway and railway line, south-west of Zagre ...

*14. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: Colonel Jaroslav Šotola **Headquarters:

Brod na Savi Slavonski Brod (), commonly shortened to simply Brod, is a city in eastern Croatia, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Being one of the principal cities in the historical regions of Slavonia and Posavina, Slavonski Brod was the 7th large ...

*15. Croatian Infantry Division **Commander: General Zorko Čudina **Headquarters:

Doboj Doboj ( sr-cyrl, Добој, ) is a city located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated on the banks of Bosna river, in the northern region of the Republika Srpska. As of 2013, it has a population of 71,441 ...

*16. Croatian Replacement Division **Commander: General Milivoj Durbešić **Headquarters:

*18. Croatian Infantry Division

Fate of Commanders

Executed

Ante Moškov Ante or Antes may refer to: * Ante (cards), an initial stake paid in a card game * Ante (poker), a forced bet in the game of poker * Ante (name), Croatian form of the given name Anthony * The Latin word ''ante'', meaning "before", which is used as ...

Mirko Gregurić Mirko (Cyrillic script: Мирко) is a masculine given name of South Slavic origin. By Slavic etymology, the name is composed of the root ''mir'' (meaning peace) and hypocoristic suffix ''-ko'' usual in South Slavic languages, which together me ...

Stjepan Mifek Stjepan is a Croatian masculine given name, variant of Stephen, used by ijekavian speakers. In Croatia, the name Stjepan was among the top ten most common masculine given names in the decades up to 1969. Notable people with the name include: * St ...

*Antun Nardelli *

Roman Domanik Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...

Božidar Zorn Božidar (Bulgarian, Macedonian, sr-cyr, Божидар, pl, Bożydar, sometimes transliterated as Bojidar, or Bozhidar) is a Slavic given name meaning "Divine gift". It is a calque of the Greek name Theodore, itself derived from the Greek word " ...

* Ivan Tomašević *

Juraj Rukavina Juraj Rukavina may refer to: * Juraj Rukavina Vidovgradski (soldier), (1777–1849), soldier and politician, grandfather of Juraj Rukavina born in 1834 * Juraj Rukavina Vidovgradski (politician), (1834–1915), Croatian politician, grandson of ...

Zorko Čudina Zorko is both a surname and a given name. Surname: *Branko Zorko (born 1967), Croatian middle-distance runner *Dayne Zorko (born 1989), Australian rules footballer * Janez Zorko (born 1937), Slovenian sculptor and mountain climber * Vlasta Zorko (b ...

Mijo Škoro Mijo may refer to: People * Mijo Babić (1903–1941), Croatian fascist * Mijo Caktaš (born 1992), Croatian football player * Mijo Dadić (born 1981), Croatian football player * Mijo Gorski (born 1952), Croatian Roman Catholic prelate * Mijo Ko ...

Unclear

* Rafael Boban *

Jaroslav Šotola Jaroslav (also written as Yaroslav or Jarosław in other Slavic languages) is a Czech and Slovak first name, pagan in origin. There are several possible origins of the name Jaroslav. It is very likely that originally the two elements of the nam ...

Milivoj Durbešić Milivoj ( sr, Миливој) is an old Slavic origin given name derived from elements: ''milo'' ("gracius, favour") + ''voj'' ("soldier, war"). Popular primarily in South Slavic states. The name may refer to: *Milivoj Ašner (1913–2011), a fo ...

Emigrated

Stjepan Peričić Stjepan is a Croatian masculine given name, variant of Stephen, used by ijekavian speakers. In Croatia, the name Stjepan was among the top ten most common masculine given names in the decades up to 1969. Notable people with the name include: * S ...

Slavko Cesarić Slavko () is a Slavic masculine given name. Notable holders of the name include: Arts * Slavko Avsenik, Slovenian musician * Slavko Avsenik, Jr., Slovenian musician * Slavko Brankov, Croatian actor * Slavko Brill, Croatian Jewish sculptor * Slavko ...

Committed suicide

Tomislav Rolf Tomislav (, ) is a masculine given name of Slavic origin, that is widespread amongst the South Slavs. The meaning of the name ''Tomislav'' is thought to have derived from the Old Slavonic verb "'' tomiti''" or "'' tomit" meaning to "''languish ...

Ranks and insignia

General pukovnik.gif, General pukovnik (

Colonel General Colonel general is a three- or four-star military rank used in some armies. It is particularly associated with Germany, where historically general officer ranks were one grade lower than in the Commonwealth and the United States, and was a ra ...

) General poručnik.gif, General poručnik (

Lieutenant General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

) General2.gif, General (

General A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

) Pukovnik2.gif, Pukovnik (

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

) Podpukovnik2.gif, Podpukovnik (

Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

) Bojnik2.png, Bojnik (

Major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

) Nadsatnik2.gif, Nadsatnik (

Senior Captain Senior captain is a rank which is used in some countries' armed forces, navies, merchant marines, civil aviation and in the airline industry. Army In some armies of the world, the senior captain is a rank between a regular captain and a majo ...

) Satnik2.gif, Satnik (

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

) Nadporučnik2.gif, Natporučnik (

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

) Poručnik2.gif, Poručnik (

Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

) Zastavnik2.gif, Zastavnik ( Ensign) Častnički namjestnik2.gif, Časnički namjesnik (

Warrant Officer Warrant officer (WO) is a rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ranks, the mos ...

) Stožerni stražnik.gif, Stožerni stražnik (

Staff Sergeant Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. History of title In origin, certain senior sergeants were assigned to administrative, supervi ...

) Stražnik.gif, Stražnik (

Sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

) Vodnik2.gif, Vodnik (

Lance Sergeant Lance sergeant (LSgt or L/Sgt) is an appointment in the armies of the Commonwealth and formerly also a rank in the United States Army. Commonwealth Lance-sergeant in the armies of the Commonwealth was an appointment given to a corporal so they ...

) Rojnik.gif, Rojnik ( Corporal) Dorojnik.png, Dorojnik ( Lance Corporal) Strielac.gif, Strielac (

Private first class Private first class (french: Soldat de 1 classe; es, Soldado de primera) is a military rank held by junior enlisted personnel in a number of armed forces. French speaking countries In France and other French speaking countries, the rank (; ) ...

) Domobran2.png, Vojnik (

Private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

)

References

Bibliography

* * * * {{Authority control Military of the Independent State of Croatia The Holocaust in Yugoslavia Collaboration during World War II Collaboration with the Axis Powers