Yugoslav National-Liberation Army in USSR

[K.Kocjancic]

Yugoslav National-Liberation Army in USSR (YNLAiU) was formed from German, Italian or Hungarian POW of Yugoslav origin and Yugoslav, living in USSR.

First unit, which was formed was "Independant Yugoslav Detachment in USSR" in Dec. 1943.

In year 1944 were formed 3 new units:
a) 1. Yugoslav Infantry Brigade
b) 2. Yugoslav Infantry Brigade
c) 2. Yugoslav Tank Brigade

When 1. Yugoslav Inf.Brig. came "back" to Yugoslavia to participate in final battles, there were 1950 men in it's rank, from that 931 Slovenes.

2. Yug.Inf.Brig. had 450-600 men (almost 1/2 Slovenes).

Incomplete list of personal of 2. Yug.Tk.Brig. lists 750 men (375 Slovenes).

There were also 81 combat pilots (15 Slovenes) and 90 communications-personal (52 Slovenes).

From around 3500 men of YNLAiU were around 1600 men of Slovene origin, later almost 2000.

From more then 100 Officers of YNLAiU there were only 5 Slovenes; highest Ltn.Col. Egon Žitnik, CO of 2. Yug.Inf.Brig.

Egon Žitnik was member of NDH-Italian Legion, in Dec. 1942 captured at Stalingrad. Joined YNLAiU, became CO of 2. Yug.Inf.Brig.. When YNLAiU came to Yugoslavia, he was arrested, put on trial and executed.

There was also (Slovene from Prekmurje region) Ltn. (Res) of Yug.Army Koloman Kučan, who was member of Hungarian Labour Btl., captured, joined YNLAiU and was KIA. He was father of former (first) president of Rep. Slovenia Milan Kučan.

1. Yug.Inf.Brig. had very high casulties on Sremska fronta (187 Slovenes KIA and 381 Slovenes wounded). By the end of war Brig. was already in Slovenia.

2. Yug.Inf.Brig. was disbanded in Dec. 1944, it's personal moved to 5. krajiška brigada.

2. Yug.Tk.Brig. was training in winter 44-45 on Tesnickaja grounds near Tula. It was establish on 8.3.1945 with 56 T-34. Participated in Sremska fronta. 74 KIA (29 SLovenes).

Any other info on this (specially OoB and CO personal)?

Regards,
Klemen