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

Formed 20 November 1944 with HQ in Derventa using a few Ustasha garrison and railway security units located in that area. (1)

Operational History

1944

1 Dec 44: incorporated into the new 15th Croatian Infantry Division (HQ in Doboj). The Brigade’s main task was to secure the road and railway line of communication from Doboj to Derventa and then to Slovonski Brod.

1945

No operational details concerning the Brigade have come to light. As a component of 15th Division, it carried out its responsibilities until mid-April when 15th Div. began withdrawing north to Sl. Brod and then west along the Sava valley toward Zagreb. See 15th Croatian Infantry Division for further details.

Commanders

Ust. Bojnik Viktor (Vinko?) Tomić (? - ?) Feb 1945

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 Derventa
I Bn. (ex-Ustasha Garrison Bn. Slovonski Brod) in Sl. Brod
II Bn. (ex-II Ustasha Railway Security Bn.) in Doboj
III Bn. (ex-Ustasha Garrison Bn. Derventa) in Derventa

Order of battle (13 Apr 1945)

Brigade HQ and headquarters elements and HQ Co. in Derventa
Assault Bn./XVI Ust. Brig. in Derventa
I Bn. in Derventa
II Bn. in Doboj
III Bn. in Derventa
IV Bn. in Doboj
V Bn. in Doboj

Footnotes

1. [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda. Tom IV/30, p.103; IV/31, pp.824-26; IV/34, pp.999 and 1136; NARA WashDC: RG 226 (OSS intelligence report No. 109034 and 110433); RG 242 (T-311 roll 184/1141; RG 331 (roll 447-B).

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -