(5. pješačka pukovnija)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed 29 June 1941 with Rgt. HQ in Slavonska Požega. The Regiment was re-designated 5th Jäger Regiment (3d Jäger Brigade) in May 1943. (1)

Operational History

1941

Jul 41: after the Regiment was formed, it was deployed in garrisons at Doboj, Teslić and along the Sava Valley west of Slavonski Brod from autumn 1941 to 1943. It sent its battalions into action throughout East and West Bosnia as the tactical situation required.
25-27 Nov 41: Rgt. participated in a concentrated operation against the Partisan 2d Krajiški Detachment in the Kozara Mountains near Banja Luka.

1942

28 Jan – 2 Feb 42: entire Regiment took part in Operation “Ozren” in the Tuzla – Doboj – Zavidovići triangle.
5 Feb 42: II Bn. returned to Nova Gradiška and now in action in the Papuk Mountains against the Partisan Slavonian Battalion.
Jun 42: while I Bn. took part in Operation “Zenica – Zavidovići” in East Bosnia (3-22 June), the rest of the Regiment was employed in Operation “West-Bosnien” in the Kozara Mountains with II Bn. operating from Bos. Dubica and III Bn. from Bos. Novi.
Jul 42: IV Bn. in formation using 300 men from Ustasha Preparatory Bn. Posavje and 150 men from Ustasha Preparatory Bn. Livac i Zapolje.
3 Jul – 3 Aug 42: attached to German 738. Inf.Rgt./718. Inf.Div., I Bn. participated in Operation “Kreševo”, which was an offensive to clear the Partisan Kalinovik Detachment from the Igman – Trnovo area immediately south of Sarajevo.
30 Sep – 6 Oct 42: I and III Bn. took part in Operation “Jajce I” to retake the town, which had been captured by the Partisans on 25 September.
Oct 42: on conclusion of “Jajce I”, I and III Bn. were employed in “Jajce II”, an offensive to clear Partisan concentrations around Jajce that ran from 7 October to 6 November. Meanwhile, II Bn. in Bos. Dubica was engaged in Operation “Kozara” in the Bos. Dubica – Prijedor area from 12-19 October. The new IV Bn. was in Voćin/32 km SE of Virovitica operating under the Slavonian Brigade.
Nov 42: a V Battalion (21st – 24th Co.) was added to the Regiment during November or December.
29 Nov – 15 Dec 42: still in the Jajce area, I and III Bn. were used to retake Jajce for the second time in Operation “Jajce III.”
17 Dec 42: IV Bn. now in Čačinci/26 km NW of Našice and still assigned to the Slavonian Brigade.
29 Dec 42: III Bn. now in Banja Luka being rebuilt from elements of the I and XI Recruit Battalions.

1943

2 – 11 Jan 43: IV Bn. successfully defended Voćin during a 9-day siege by an estimated 3,000 Partisans, losing 25 KIA and 51 WIA. Partisan losses are not known but were probably quite heavy.
13 Jan 43: II Bn. attacked elements of the 2d Krajina Brigade near Prijedor, but the Partisans got away after both sides suffered light casualties.
24 Jan 43: 24th Co. in Nova Gradiška was being used as a rapid reaction force against Partisan attacks and sabotage along the main railway line, operating together with IV and XI Ustasha Preparatory Battalions and the II Assault Bn.
26 Jan 43: I and III Bn. now in Derventa, while IV Bn. in Osijek attached to the Slavonian Brigade.
2 Feb 43: II Bn. in action during a sweep of the Kotor Varoš area/36 km SSE of Banja Luka with elements of German Gren.Rgt. 741.
2-6 Feb 43: V Bn. employed in Operations “Krause I” and “Krause II” in the Nova Gradiška – Okučani area.
Feb 43: entire Regiment now ordered to assemble in the Derventa area for reorganization and accelerated training, later moving to Brčko by May.
19 Mar – 2 Apr 43: I Bn. took part in Operation “Braun” in the Sl. Požega area.
May 43: I Bn. in Gunja/4 km E of Brčko, II Bn. in Brčko and III Bn. in Potočari/5.5 km S of Brčko.
Jun 43: III Bn. participated in Operation “Pfingsten”, which was aimed at the destruction of Partisan concentrations in the Prnjavor – Kotor Varoš – Teslić area.
9-10 Jul 43: 10th Co. in Prnjavor was routed with losses as the town was taken by elements of the 12th Assault Division NOVJ.
Aug 43: renamed 5th Jäger Regiment (3d Jäger Brigade).

Commanders

Pukovnik Milivoj Durbešić (29 Jun 1941 - ?)
Pukovnik Ivan Šarnbek (? - ?) Jan 1942
Pukovnik Ivan Šulentić (? - ?) May 1943

Subordination

Osijek Division (Jun 1941 - Aug 1941)
3d Infantry Division (Aug 1941 - Oct 1941)
4th Infantry Division (Oct 1941 - Aug 1943)

Order of battle (Dec 1941)

Rgt. HQ in Doboj
I Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Doboj
II Bn. (5th – 8th Co.) in Nova Gradiška
III Bn. (9th – 12th Co.) in Doboj
13th Co.
14th Co.
15th Co.

Order of battle (Sep 1942)

Rgt. HQ
I Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Visoko
II Bn. (5th – 8th Co.) in Bos Dubica
III Bn. (9th – 12th Co.) in Donji Vakuf
IV Bn. (17th – 20th Co.) in Voćin
13th Co.
14th Co.
15th Co.

Order of battle (14 Apr 1943)

Rgt. HQ
I Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Lipljak
II Bn. (5th – 8th Co.) in Nova Ves near Sl. Brod
III Bn. (9th – 12th Co.) in Doboj and Teslić
13th Co.
14th Co.
15th Co.
No mention of IV and V Bn.

Footnotes

1. Arhiv VII, kut. 134a; Colić, Mladen - Takozvana Nezavisna Država Hrvatska 1941; Colić 1979; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945, pp.150, 216, 300, 406, 507; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom IV/10, p.601; V/11, p.387 and 560; V/32, p.192; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-315 roll 2258/1309); (T-821 roll 278/466).

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -