Popular-Ustasha Brigade (Pučko-Ustaški Zdrug)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed on or about 1 December 1944 in Vinkovci from the assets of the disbanded II Replacement Brigade and the remnants of the 7th Garrison Brigade, which had been destroyed in action around Mitrovica. The Brigade guarded the line of communications along the railroad and road stretches Osijek-Vinkovci-Striživojna-Sl.Brod and Osijek-Djakovo-Striživojna. OB - 1st Popular-Ustasha Rgt. “Baranja” (two battalions of 4 rifle companies and a machine gun platoon each), HQ in Osijek, Pukovnik Djuro Gebauer; 2d Popular-Ustasha Rgt. “Vuka” (two battalions of 4 rifle companies and a machine gun platoon each), HQ in Vukovar, Podpukovnik Rudolf Jagić; 3d Popular-Ustasha Rgt. “Posavlje” (two battalions of 4 rifle companies and a machine gun platoon each), HQ in Sl. Brod, Pukovnik Vladimir Klaić. The Brigade was disbanded in March 1945 and its personnel used to replenish other units. (1)

Commanders

Ust. General Josip Metzger (? Dec 1944 - ? Mar 1945)

Subordination

Croatian Command “Istok” (Dec 1944 - Mar 1945)

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, pp.164-65; AVII Beograd, kut. 134a, reg.br. 3/1.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -