Croatian Legion in Stalingrad
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Some info on Croatian Award Recipients
1.Croatian Units on the Eastern Front:
1.1.: The 369th Reinforced (Croat) Infantry Regiment:
This Wehrmacht (Heer) unit of Croatian volunteers 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 Harkov, Kalatch and Selivanov. The Croatians proved to be reliable and brave soldiers, and were held in high regard by both the German command and their German comrades in arms. On September 29, 1942, the Regiment entered Stalingrad, where they were destroyed after a long and heroic struggle (a few survivors surrendered to the Red Army on February 2, 1943).
Approximately 6,300 Croatian soldiers served in this unit through its ill-fated existence. Many were awarded various Croatian decorations, and a high number received German decorations. This is an incomplete list:
Iron Cross 1st Class:
- Colonel Viktor Vitez PAVICIC, commander of the 369th Regiment from July 1, 1942 - January 20, 1943. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class by General Sanne on October 16, 1942, at Stalingrad. The award was received for “excellent leadership of the Croatian Legionnaire unit”. Colonel Pavicic was declared “missing and presumed dead” on January 21, 1943. It is presumed that the plane that he was being evacuated from Stalingrad on was shot down. He is pictured below in Colonel's uniform of the Army (Domobranstvo) of the Independent State of Croatia, while commanding the Croatian Military Academy (his post prior to taking over the 369th Regiment).
Staff Sergeant Dragutin PODOBNIK, recieved the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 24, 1942, for actions in the Ukraine, during the course of the Summer (specifically the "Proljet Kultura" Kolhoz battle, an all-night, hand-to-hand combat action). On September 27, 1942, the 369th entered Stalingrad.
Staff Sergeant PODOBNIK was further decorated on October 16, 1942 with the Iron Cross 1st Class by General Sanne (at Stalingrad). The award was recieved for an action on September 30, 1942, where Podobnik and 18 of his men infiltrated a fortified Soviet position in the “Red October” factory, destroyed the defenders(even though the Russians outnumbered them), and handed over the occupied building to the 54th German Regiment (that had been unsuccessfully attacking this position for several hours). Podobnik and his men also captured 3 enemy artillery pieces, 2 mortars, 1 “Maksim” machine-gun, and a large number of rifles, pistols, grenades and automatic weapons. All of this with only 3 lightly wounded men. Sergeant Podobnik would, unfortunately, not return from Stalingrad (his actual fate is unknown).
- Lt.-Colonel Marko MESIC, commander of the regimental artillery detachmen from July, 1941. Regimental commander from January 20, 1943 - February 2, 1943. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class in the last days of the Stalingrad pocket, when he took over the few surviving members of the regiment, and put up a tenacious defense. He entered Soviet captivity, where he survived years of hunger and abuse, only to be turned over to the post-war Yugoslavian Communist government, who tried and executed him in 1947.
Iron Cross 2nd Class:
- Lt. 1st Class BAKAREC received the German Iron Cross 2nd Class in October of 1941, while commanding the 11th (Bicycle) Company of the Regiment, attached to the Vorausabteilung of the 100th Jaeger Division.
- Sergeant Ivan GRBESA was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class during the course of the battle for Stalingrad.
- Captain Geza MAJBERGER, commander of the 1st Battalion, received the Iron Cross 2nd Class for leadership during the battles around Manojlin, summer of 1942. He was mortally wounded on July 30, 1942.
- Lt. Josip ZAMBATA was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in September, 1942.
- Sergeant Dzafer BABOVIC,September, 1942.
[Note: this is an incomplete list of Iron Cross 2nd Class winners. As further information becomes available, the list will be updated].
The survivors of the Regiment (approximately 1000 men), that were evacuated from Stalingrad via air, formed the core of a new Croatian volunteer unit of the Wehrmacht - the 369th “Vrazja” (Devil’s) Infantry Division. These veterans were awarded a commemorative badge, the “Croatian Legion 1941” Linden Leaf in silver, worn on the right breast pocket.
The "Devil's" Division (the 369th Infantry Division) fought hard battles against the Communist Partisans throughout Croatia throughout '43, '44, and early '45. On May 10/11, 1945, it surrendered to British forces in Austria, and its men returned to "Yugoslavia" for trial. Most were killed.
1.2.: The Croatian Airforce Legion:
This Luftwaffe unit of Croatian volunteers was formed on June 2, 1941, and had a fighter and a bomber squadron. The fighter squadron was designated ‘15.(Kroatische)/JG 52’, and served on the Eastern Front with great success from October 6, 1941 - July, 1944. The bomber squadrom was titled ‘15.(Kroatische)/KG 53’, and served on the Eastern Front from October 25, 1941 - December of 1942.
Decorations received by the Legion were as follows:
Fighter Squadron:
- Lt.-Colonel Mato CULINOVIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Lt. Cvitan GALIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Sergeant Veca MILKOVIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Sergeant Tomislav KAUZLARIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- 40 other members of the Fighter Squadron received the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
Bomber Squadron:
- 150 members of the Bomber Squadron received the Iron Cross 1st and/or 2nd Class.
Croatian Airforce Legion Badge was worn by members of the Legion while on the Eastern Front. The pilots were allowed to continue wearing these badges upon the disbandment of their legions, and assignment to Croatian military units.
1.3. The Croatian Naval Legion:
This Kriegsmarine unit of Croatian volunteers was formed in July, 1941, and served in the Black Sea until October, 1943.
A total of 343 men served in this unit, performing security, minesweeping and small vessel combat missions. Frigate Captain Andro VRKLJAN (the Legion’s first commander) was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. 50 other members of the Legion were decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
With the surrender of Italy in 1943, the Italian veto on a Croatian Navy in the Adriatic Sea became null and void, so the Croatian sailors were returned to Croatia for further service.
Croatian Naval Legion Badge was worn by members of the Legion while on the Eastern Front. The seamen, like their pilots counterparts, were allowed to continue wearing these badges upon the disbandment of their legions and assignment to Croatian military units.
By Allen Milcic.
1.Croatian Units on the Eastern Front:
1.1.: The 369th Reinforced (Croat) Infantry Regiment:
This Wehrmacht (Heer) unit of Croatian volunteers 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 Harkov, Kalatch and Selivanov. The Croatians proved to be reliable and brave soldiers, and were held in high regard by both the German command and their German comrades in arms. On September 29, 1942, the Regiment entered Stalingrad, where they were destroyed after a long and heroic struggle (a few survivors surrendered to the Red Army on February 2, 1943).
Approximately 6,300 Croatian soldiers served in this unit through its ill-fated existence. Many were awarded various Croatian decorations, and a high number received German decorations. This is an incomplete list:
Iron Cross 1st Class:
- Colonel Viktor Vitez PAVICIC, commander of the 369th Regiment from July 1, 1942 - January 20, 1943. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class by General Sanne on October 16, 1942, at Stalingrad. The award was received for “excellent leadership of the Croatian Legionnaire unit”. Colonel Pavicic was declared “missing and presumed dead” on January 21, 1943. It is presumed that the plane that he was being evacuated from Stalingrad on was shot down. He is pictured below in Colonel's uniform of the Army (Domobranstvo) of the Independent State of Croatia, while commanding the Croatian Military Academy (his post prior to taking over the 369th Regiment).
Staff Sergeant Dragutin PODOBNIK, recieved the Iron Cross 2nd Class on September 24, 1942, for actions in the Ukraine, during the course of the Summer (specifically the "Proljet Kultura" Kolhoz battle, an all-night, hand-to-hand combat action). On September 27, 1942, the 369th entered Stalingrad.
Staff Sergeant PODOBNIK was further decorated on October 16, 1942 with the Iron Cross 1st Class by General Sanne (at Stalingrad). The award was recieved for an action on September 30, 1942, where Podobnik and 18 of his men infiltrated a fortified Soviet position in the “Red October” factory, destroyed the defenders(even though the Russians outnumbered them), and handed over the occupied building to the 54th German Regiment (that had been unsuccessfully attacking this position for several hours). Podobnik and his men also captured 3 enemy artillery pieces, 2 mortars, 1 “Maksim” machine-gun, and a large number of rifles, pistols, grenades and automatic weapons. All of this with only 3 lightly wounded men. Sergeant Podobnik would, unfortunately, not return from Stalingrad (his actual fate is unknown).
- Lt.-Colonel Marko MESIC, commander of the regimental artillery detachmen from July, 1941. Regimental commander from January 20, 1943 - February 2, 1943. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class in the last days of the Stalingrad pocket, when he took over the few surviving members of the regiment, and put up a tenacious defense. He entered Soviet captivity, where he survived years of hunger and abuse, only to be turned over to the post-war Yugoslavian Communist government, who tried and executed him in 1947.
Iron Cross 2nd Class:
- Lt. 1st Class BAKAREC received the German Iron Cross 2nd Class in October of 1941, while commanding the 11th (Bicycle) Company of the Regiment, attached to the Vorausabteilung of the 100th Jaeger Division.
- Sergeant Ivan GRBESA was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class during the course of the battle for Stalingrad.
- Captain Geza MAJBERGER, commander of the 1st Battalion, received the Iron Cross 2nd Class for leadership during the battles around Manojlin, summer of 1942. He was mortally wounded on July 30, 1942.
- Lt. Josip ZAMBATA was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in September, 1942.
- Sergeant Dzafer BABOVIC,September, 1942.
[Note: this is an incomplete list of Iron Cross 2nd Class winners. As further information becomes available, the list will be updated].
The survivors of the Regiment (approximately 1000 men), that were evacuated from Stalingrad via air, formed the core of a new Croatian volunteer unit of the Wehrmacht - the 369th “Vrazja” (Devil’s) Infantry Division. These veterans were awarded a commemorative badge, the “Croatian Legion 1941” Linden Leaf in silver, worn on the right breast pocket.
The "Devil's" Division (the 369th Infantry Division) fought hard battles against the Communist Partisans throughout Croatia throughout '43, '44, and early '45. On May 10/11, 1945, it surrendered to British forces in Austria, and its men returned to "Yugoslavia" for trial. Most were killed.
1.2.: The Croatian Airforce Legion:
This Luftwaffe unit of Croatian volunteers was formed on June 2, 1941, and had a fighter and a bomber squadron. The fighter squadron was designated ‘15.(Kroatische)/JG 52’, and served on the Eastern Front with great success from October 6, 1941 - July, 1944. The bomber squadrom was titled ‘15.(Kroatische)/KG 53’, and served on the Eastern Front from October 25, 1941 - December of 1942.
Decorations received by the Legion were as follows:
Fighter Squadron:
- Lt.-Colonel Mato CULINOVIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Lt. Cvitan GALIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Sergeant Veca MILKOVIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- Sergeant Tomislav KAUZLARIC, Iron Cross 1st and Iron Cross 2nd Class;
- 40 other members of the Fighter Squadron received the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
Bomber Squadron:
- 150 members of the Bomber Squadron received the Iron Cross 1st and/or 2nd Class.
Croatian Airforce Legion Badge was worn by members of the Legion while on the Eastern Front. The pilots were allowed to continue wearing these badges upon the disbandment of their legions, and assignment to Croatian military units.
1.3. The Croatian Naval Legion:
This Kriegsmarine unit of Croatian volunteers was formed in July, 1941, and served in the Black Sea until October, 1943.
A total of 343 men served in this unit, performing security, minesweeping and small vessel combat missions. Frigate Captain Andro VRKLJAN (the Legion’s first commander) was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. 50 other members of the Legion were decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
With the surrender of Italy in 1943, the Italian veto on a Croatian Navy in the Adriatic Sea became null and void, so the Croatian sailors were returned to Croatia for further service.
Croatian Naval Legion Badge was worn by members of the Legion while on the Eastern Front. The seamen, like their pilots counterparts, were allowed to continue wearing these badges upon the disbandment of their legions and assignment to Croatian military units.
By Allen Milcic.
! more thing
Some fact that are not knowed about Croatia
Marko Polo is Croatina not Italian born in Korcula but worked for Italians
Croatians invented the Torpedo
Croatians invented the Tie
Bet you did not know that
Marko Polo is Croatina not Italian born in Korcula but worked for Italians
Croatians invented the Torpedo
Croatians invented the Tie
Bet you did not know that
Absoluty true !!!!!
As millions around the world dress to go to work each day or to go out for the evening, most probably do not realize that a major accessory of their wardrobe originated in Croatia. The necktie, or kravata, is Croatia's contribution to the world of fashion. The use of the necktie in Croatia dates back to as early as the mid-1600s. During the European Thirty Year War (1618-1648), Croatian soldiers were also drawn into battle and sent to fight in various regions of Europe. At that time, the traditional Croatian military dress included a picturesque scarf tied around the neck in a manner which is very similar to the style in which the necktie is worn today. In 1618, some agents of the Holy Roman Emperor were in Prague being disagreeable. Some
citizens threw the agents out a window. The agents landed on a dunghill, so they survived. Nevertheless, they were, in a foul temper, and (to simplify a bit) the “Defenestration of Prague" led to the Thirty Years War, which quickly, led to the need for Croatian mercenarie's. They were rough-and-ready fellows, but they did not neglect the decorative arts: They wore colorful neckwear. The word "'cravat" is derived from the word “Croat” and neckties are descended from what those Croatians wore. It is unclear why those Croatians execited so much imitation. Few people at the moment are sticklers about following the fashions of Croatian mercenaries. Because some Croatian soldiers were stationed in Paris, this "Croatian style" greatly impressed their French counterparts. French men adopted this new fashion during the reign of Louis XIV and referred to it as "a la Croate". Eventually, it became known by the French word "cravate". The tie entered the bourgeois fashion of that era as a sign of cultivation and elegance and went on to conquer the whole of Europe. Today, men across the entire civilized world tie knots in neckties in every imaginable color and made from a wide array of materials from silk to burlap. Unlike many fashions, which fade or disappear over time, the necktie has retained its popularity for hundreds of years and is still considered a basic item of most men's wardrobes, rather than just a decorative accessory. As the court of Lottis XIV was a trendsetter in culturevand fashion, tile use of the "'cravate" becamne wide- spread across Europe, with each country adopting a slightly altered word in their own language.
NAMES FOR THE NECKTIE (CRAVAT) AROUND THE WORLD: Hungarian: Kravat, English: Cravat-Neck Tie, Portuguese: Oravata, Croatian: Kravata, Polish: Krawat, German: Krawatte, Italian: Cravatta, French: Cravate, Spanish: Corvatta.
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As millions around the world dress to go to work each day or to go out for the evening, most probably do not realize that a major accessory of their wardrobe originated in Croatia. The necktie, or kravata, is Croatia's contribution to the world of fashion. The use of the necktie in Croatia dates back to as early as the mid-1600s. During the European Thirty Year War (1618-1648), Croatian soldiers were also drawn into battle and sent to fight in various regions of Europe. At that time, the traditional Croatian military dress included a picturesque scarf tied around the neck in a manner which is very similar to the style in which the necktie is worn today. In 1618, some agents of the Holy Roman Emperor were in Prague being disagreeable. Some
citizens threw the agents out a window. The agents landed on a dunghill, so they survived. Nevertheless, they were, in a foul temper, and (to simplify a bit) the “Defenestration of Prague" led to the Thirty Years War, which quickly, led to the need for Croatian mercenarie's. They were rough-and-ready fellows, but they did not neglect the decorative arts: They wore colorful neckwear. The word "'cravat" is derived from the word “Croat” and neckties are descended from what those Croatians wore. It is unclear why those Croatians execited so much imitation. Few people at the moment are sticklers about following the fashions of Croatian mercenaries. Because some Croatian soldiers were stationed in Paris, this "Croatian style" greatly impressed their French counterparts. French men adopted this new fashion during the reign of Louis XIV and referred to it as "a la Croate". Eventually, it became known by the French word "cravate". The tie entered the bourgeois fashion of that era as a sign of cultivation and elegance and went on to conquer the whole of Europe. Today, men across the entire civilized world tie knots in neckties in every imaginable color and made from a wide array of materials from silk to burlap. Unlike many fashions, which fade or disappear over time, the necktie has retained its popularity for hundreds of years and is still considered a basic item of most men's wardrobes, rather than just a decorative accessory. As the court of Lottis XIV was a trendsetter in culturevand fashion, tile use of the "'cravate" becamne wide- spread across Europe, with each country adopting a slightly altered word in their own language.
NAMES FOR THE NECKTIE (CRAVAT) AROUND THE WORLD: Hungarian: Kravat, English: Cravat-Neck Tie, Portuguese: Oravata, Croatian: Kravata, Polish: Krawat, German: Krawatte, Italian: Cravatta, French: Cravate, Spanish: Corvatta.
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KingTomislav
- Member
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 01 Oct 2002, 00:08
- Location: Croatia
With Czaba i wont even discuss because it is ridicoulus. Do you know who were the real Magyars?
Penkala was a Croatian who invented the pen. Its named after him.
The first idea for a parachute came from a Croatian in 16 st century faust vrancic.
The picture is of an Ustasa dagger
Penkala was a Croatian who invented the pen. Its named after him.
The first idea for a parachute came from a Croatian in 16 st century faust vrancic.
The picture is of an Ustasa dagger
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KingTomislav
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- Location: Croatia
Re: k
Aren't 150 pilots a little too much for a squadron? Even if it was on the front a long time, still I do not believe that so many pilots passed through one squadron.Wolffen wrote: Bomber Squadron:
- 150 members of the Bomber Squadron received the Iron Cross 1st and/or 2nd Class.
I got the info from http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/axis_al ... nteers.htm no need to belive me do you belive them?
Tomislav
Za Dom Spremni Rezat Glave
Imas jos slika?
Tomislav
Za Dom Spremni Rezat Glave Imas jos slika?
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KingTomislav
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- Posts: 18
- Joined: 01 Oct 2002, 00:08
- Location: Croatia
Yes its is. But i must say that the head was of a chetnik leader who comanded the massacres in eastern Bosnia. Chetniks killed about 7000 mens, womens and childrens. Many mens escaped in Sarajevo where they joined the Ustasa to revenge they famailies. So thats how was formed Black Legion. They took armes and went back to liberate they cities and villages. They were cruel to the ones who commited qruelties to their loved ones.
Also Joseph Haydn was a Croat from Austria.
Also Joseph Haydn was a Croat from Austria.
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KingTomislav
- Member
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 01 Oct 2002, 00:08
- Location: Croatia