Croatian Legion in Stalingrad

Korbius · Post by **Korbius** » 04 Oct 2002 11:29

Croatian volunteers Legion was raised in July, 1941, for combat on the Eastern Front. This was an infantry regiment with 3 infantry battalions and its own artillery attached (therefore “reinforced”). From October 9, 1941, the regiment was attached to the 100th Jaeger Division, and fought some major engagements at Kharkov
The croats distinguished themselves in the Eastern Front, especially in Stalingrad, where they made their last stand against the Red Army. Now this is what I call fighting spirit, because even though the situation was hopeless, they fought to the death, without surrendering!!!

Wolffen · Post by **Wolffen** » 04 Oct 2002 11:42

I totally agree they where the best of the best

Croatians were soldiers for higher and the best there were and still are. In 1990 they defeated the 4th largest army in Europe with basically no weapons

Napoleon said: "If I had 10,000 Croatians I could concur the world"

They are one the greatest soldiers in the world but are limited in number

If Napoleon had 10,000 Croatians we all now would be speaking French: lol:

German high command also praised them

More info here http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/axis_al ... nteers.htm

Benoit Douville · Post by **Benoit Douville** » 05 Oct 2002 00:52

There was also the Ustacha Vojnica in Croatia, the armed wing of the ruling party sprang up as an armed force made up of totally dedicated, fanatical nationalist volonteers. At the same time this made for not only outstanting bravery in combat, but also utmost savagery. During it's history it was steadily growing, and ended up surpassing even the size of the regular Croatian Army. At that time conscription had been introduced to the Ustacha Vojnica, but it still kept its elite fighting qualities.

"There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volonteer"

JLEES · Post by **JLEES** » 06 Oct 2002 16:26

Croatia also contributed a transportation regiment in the Italian Army, a naval detachment for the German Navy and two squadrons for the Luftwaffe too. All of these formations fought well on the Eastern Front. In fact, like the regiment at Stalingrad, the transportation unit was surrounded by the Soviets and fought to the last man. Although the Croatian 369th Regiment is the most known of the units, the other contributed a great deal toward the campaign in the East. Meanwhile, Croatia also produced a wonderful looking miniature stamp sheet in 1943 noting Croatian Legions in the East and an interesting propaganda card morning the loss of their regiment at Stalingrad. I've attached their images for inspection.
Enjoy,
James

KingTomislav · Post by **KingTomislav** » 06 Oct 2002 22:59

You should also know that Croatians were also known in The Thirty years war. The most famous was croatian light cavalry.
The leader of protestant armies, Swedish king Gustav II said that Croatians fight like lions (he was killed by croatians troops).

There is something interesting about Croatians and Germans. Science.org or Science magazine made some exploration about blood genes in various nations in Europe. There is a genom (Eu-7) which is dinaric-vedoarian. He is percentually the biggest in Croatia in the whole Europe (50%), then in Germany (40%). Croatia then has 30% balto-slavic genes, 15% celtic genom, and 5% others.

Ill put the picture of Nikola Subic Zrinski charging at Turks in battle of Siget. He guarded the town of Siget in southern Hungary with 3000 men (mostly Croatians). Then in 1566 the turkish army of 200 000 men led by sultan Suleyman came in front of Siget. They offered to Nikola if he surrender that he will be made Croatian king. He rejected this. Turkish goal was Wien. But Siget with Nikola Subic Zrinski managed to stop the Turks for 1 month. In this period about 30 000 - 40 000 turkish soldiers was killed. The sultan died before Siget was taken. When only 200 men left, Nikola Subic Zrinski ordered to take charge on turkish positions. He knew this meant death.
After this turkish soldiers didnt go to Wien because of sultans death and severe losses at Siget and much time lost .

KingTomislav · Post by **KingTomislav** » 06 Oct 2002 23:12

The most famous croatian soldier in WW2 Jure Francetic. He comanded The Black Legion

KingTomislav · Post by **KingTomislav** » 06 Oct 2002 23:31

Sorry for posting two times same picture

KingTomislav · Post by **KingTomislav** » 06 Oct 2002 23:54

This was a poster for recruitment of Croatians to SS.

JLEES · Post by **JLEES** » 07 Oct 2002 10:51

KingTomislav,
I've never seen the SS poster before, is it one of the rarer items? Usually items like this have been used in books as illustrations, but this looks interesting and never seen before. Is it rare in terms of SS posters? I know they are all expensive now, but is this one of the harder to find items?
James

Csaba Becze · Post by **Csaba Becze** » 07 Oct 2002 11:58

King Tomislav,

Most of Szigetvár's defenders were Hungarians in 1566. Their epic fight was a sharp lesson for the Turkish army.

BTW, the Zrínyi family was a half Croatian and a half Hungarian n this time.

Unfortunately, the Hungarian and Croatian fight against the huge muslim power is not well known for foreigners...

johnny_bi · Post by **johnny_bi** » 07 Oct 2002 12:27

Csaba wrote :
"Unfortunately, the Hungarian and Croatian fight against the huge muslim power is not well known for foreigners... "

The Romanian fight against the Otoman Empire and Tatars is also not well-known by the way ....

BI

Marcus · Post by **Marcus** » 07 Oct 2002 16:09

KingTomislav,

Thanks for sharing those photos.

/Marcus

KingTomislav · Post by **KingTomislav** » 07 Oct 2002 19:18

Of 3000 men at Siget about 500 were Hungarians Csaba Becze. Zrinski family was croatian noble family and they married also hungarian women of course. In that time in southern Hungary were many Croatians. They in Siget made, I red one time about, 70% of the population.

Napoli · Post by **Napoli** » 08 Oct 2002 10:47

Interesting to find out more of Croatia's involvment in the Stalingrad area.
Does anyone have much on the Italian paratroopers who halted the Allied advance against the Americans after El Alamein?
And I also believe units of the Italian Carabinieri who line after line after running out of amunition, began bayonete charging till almost all exhausted and dead, giving thier lives to those who had started the withdrawl?

Wolffen · Post by **Wolffen** » 09 Oct 2002 15:07

Croatians saved the Europe from the Mongolian/ Tatar invasion at "Kalnik" and Grobnicko polje" (places in Croatia were the Tatars were massacred and ultimately defeated also Turks could never take hall Croatia no one did and never will"

8) :

Axis History Forum

Croatian Legion in Stalingrad

Croatian Legion in Stalingrad

They were the BEST

Croatia's Other Units on the Eatern Front

Croatian SS Poster

Some more stuff