XIV Ustasha Brigade (XIV. Stajači Djelatni Sdrug)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed 20 November 1944 with HQ in Nova Gradiška by consolidating a motley collection of railway security and garrison units. (1)

Operational History

1944

1 Dec 44: as it was forming, the Brigade was incorporated into the new 14th Croatian Infantry Division (HQ in Sl. Brod). It was responsible for guarding and protecting the main rail line between Zagreb and Slavonski Brod. The Brigade was considered to have good fighting quality, mainly because many of its personnel were hardcore Ustasha.

1945

(see 14th Croatian Infantry Division for additional information).
20 Apr 45: parts of the Brigade in defense of Sl. Požega/25 km ENE of Nova Gradiška, but withdrew when the town fell the next day to units of 42d and 48th Assault Divisions JA.
26 Apr 45: continuing its withdrawal along the Sava valley toward Zagreb, Brigade HQ now in Sisak with its battalions deployed along the rail line between Kutina and Sesvete, just east of Zagreb.

Commanders

?

Subordination

II Territorial Corps (20 Nov 1944 - 30 Nov 1944)

Order of battle (1 Dec 1944)

Brigade HQ and headquarters elements and HQ Co. in Nova Gradiška
I Bn. (ex-I Ustasha Railway Security Bn.) in Nova Gradiška
II Bn. (ex-II Replacement Railway Security Bn.) in Nova Gradiška
III Bn. (ex-Moslavačka Ustasha Garrison Bn.) in Popovača/57 km SE of Zagreb
II Replacement Engineer Bn. in Brčko

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, p.160; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda. Tom IV/31, p.824; V/36, p.648; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945, pp.1099; NARA WashDC: RG 226 (OSS intelligence reports Nos. 110433 and 126034); RG 242 (T-311 roll 184/1141); RG 331 (roll 447-B).

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -