Ustasha Garrison Brigade Zagreb (Zagrebačka ustaška posadna zdrug)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Ordered formed in early April 1944 with HQ in Zagreb by expanding, reorganizing and renaming Ustasha Garrison Battalion Zagreb. Not to be confused with the Garrison Brigade Zagreb that belonged to the regular Army (Domobran) forces. The process of building out to brigade-size is not believed to have been completed until June 1944. (1)

Operational History

22 Jun 44: IV Bn. took part in Operation “Žumberak IV” to the southwest of Samobor and engaged Partisan forces near the village of Sv. Jana this date.
Jul – Nov 44: Brigade expanded from 4 to 7 battalions as greater measures were taken to strengthen the defensive perimeter around the Croatian capital. The battalions and companies aggressively patrolled their respective areas but no major engagements were fought, at least no evidence of any has been found.
1 Dec 44: the main body of the Brigade was renamed XX Ustasha Brigade, while Battalions V, VI and VII were spun off to form XV Ustasha Brigade.

Commanders

?

Subordination

I Domobran Corps (I Territorial Corps) (Apr 1944 - Nov 1944)

Order of battle (July 1944)

Brigade HQ, headquarters elements and HQ Co. in Zagreb
I Bn. in Remetinec
II Bn. in Kašina
III Bn. in M. Bistrica
IV Bn. in Velika Gorica
(V, VI and VII Bns. added later)

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, p.160; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda. Tom V/28, p.572; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-315 roll 1555/437-38.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -