(V. gorski zdrug)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed on or about 15 February 1943 by reorganizing and upgrading the former Petrinja Brigade. (1)

Operational History

Feb 43: carried out security and reconnaissance patrols in the area to the west of Petrinja under the tactical control of the German 187. Res.Div.
26 Feb 43: I Bn. was attacked by the Banija NOP Detachment in the village of Hajtić near Glina losing 10 killed and 74 captured.
10 Mar 43: III Bn. transferred from Petrinja to Glina.
15-17 Apr 43: II Bn. took part in Operation “Ostern” in the Sunja area.
28 Apr – 2 May 43: III Bn. transferred to Križevci to take part in a sweep of the Kalnik Mountains and then returned to Blina on 6 May.
24 May 43: II Bn. fought a sharp engagement with Partisans in the village of Bučica near Glina losing 17 killed, 9 wounded and 107 captured.
29 May 43: the Brigade commander, Pukovnik Lalić, was captured by the Partisans near Glina this date.
20 Jun 43: Brigade strength given as 2,900; still under the tactical control of the German 187. Res.Div.
2 Jul 43: III Bn. was responsible for the security of the Petrinja – Glina road.
26-27 Jul 43: II and III Bn. participated in Operation “Grün” in the mountainous terrain 35 km south of Zagreb.
1 Aug 43: ordered disbanded with HQ, I and III Bn. becoming HQ, I and II Bn./5th Mountain Rgt., while II Bn. was broken up and used to fill up shortages in the new regiment.

Commanders

Pukovnik Lalić (c. 15 Feb 1943 - 29 May 1943)
Podpukovnik Dragutin Brkić (29 May 1943 - 1 Aug 1943)

Subordination

I Domobran Corps (I Territorial Corps) (Feb 1943 - Aug 1943)

Order of battle (Feb 1943)

Brigade HQ, headquarters elements and signal platoon in Petrinja
I Bn. (HQ Co. and 1st – 4th Co.) in Petrinja
II Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Glina
III Bn. (1st - 4th Co.) in Petrinja
III Artillery Gp. in Petrinja
Tank Platoon (5 x L3 tankettes) in Glina
Medical Co. in Petrinja

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, pp.157 and 169-73; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945, pp.427, 478; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom V/12, p.573; V/13, p.514; V/14, p.514; V/15, p.402; V/17, p.371; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Oslobodilački rat naroda Juooslavije 1941-1945.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -