(1. novačka pukovnija)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed January 1942 with HQ in Zemun and comprised three battalions (I – III). It is said that a IV Battalion was formed later, but no trace of this has been found. One of the four recruit regiments that were formed beginning in January 1942 and used to train the men called up in the fall of 1941 for the purpose of forming the four mountain brigades. (1)

Operational History

Jun – Jul 42: I Bn. took part in the huge German-controlled anti-partisan operation called “Westbosnien” in the Kozara Mountains bordered by Bos. Dubica – Bos. Gradiška – Banja Luka – Prijedor that was designed to crush rapidly strengthening Partisan forces that had built camps and established dumps in the mountains.
30 Sep – 9 Oct 42: I Bn. (now with 1st – 5th Co.) participated in Operation “Manjača-Gebirge” in the mountains south and southwest of Banja Luka while attached to German 721. Inf.Rgt. (Kampfgruppe Wedel). Approximately 130 Partisans were claimed killed with few losses for either the Germans of the Croatians.
Nov 42: part of I Bn. in Banja Luka used to form IV Bn./4th Mountain Brigade.
29 Dec 42: remaining elements of I Bn. used to rebuild III Bn./5th Croatian Infantry Rgt. in Banja Luka.
2-6 Feb 43: II Bn. participated in Operation “Krause I” and “Krause II” in the Nova Gradiška – Okučani area. The objective of these operations was to located and engage the Partisan 4th Division NOVJ that had been attacking the railway line, roads and garrisons in that area, and to round up and deport to Croatian concentration camps Partisan sympathizers found in the vicinity.
6 Feb 43: elements of the Regiment billeted in the village of Ugrinovci near Stara Pazova were attacked by Partisans from 4th Bn. of the 3d NOP Detachment/3d Operational Zone Croatia and forced to abandon their positions after suffering 4 killed and 18 wounded, while the Partisans only had 3 dead and 1 wounded.
27 Feb 43: II Bn. took part in Operation “Grün” in the Krndija and Dilj Mountains that was aimed at destroying the Partisan 18th NO Brigade and the 2d NOP Detachment that were ensconced there.
8-10 Mar 43: II Bn. was employed in a small, local anti-partisan operation called “Vučjak” in the Doboj – Derventa area that was intended to destroy Partisan units that were raiding and looting villages in the area. Both sides suffered minimal casualties because the enemy main force was never engaged.
19 Mar 43: II Bn., with little rest, participated in Operation “Braun” in the Papuk and Krndija Mountains near Slavonska Požega. The objective was to engage and destroy a large concentration of more than four Partisan brigades. The operation concluded on 2 April and German reports claimed 1,627 Partisans killed and 271 captured, while German losses totaled 45 KIA, 59 WIA and 7 MIA, and Croatian losses came to 86 KIA, 102 WIA and 123 MIA.
Aug 43: Regiment designated as the infantry and military police replacement source for 2d and 4th Jäger Brigades.
19-21 Oct 43: II Bn. took part in Operation “Herbst II”, which was under the command of German 187. Res.Inf.Div. and was intended to destroy a Partisan concentration between the Sava River and the Vinkovci – Županja railway line. The troops failed to make meaningful contact with the enemy and the operation was called off before the end of the third day.
Feb 44: renamed 2d Replacement Rgt./II Replacement Brigade.

Commanders

?

Subordination

II Territorial Corps (early 1942 - Feb 1944)

Order of Battle (Jan 1943 & Jan 1944)

Regiment HQ in Zemun
I Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Zemun
II Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Sl. Brod
III Bn. (1st – 4th Co.) in Hrv. Mitrovica
Additionally, a Signal Co. and an Artillery Btry were being formed.

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, p.157; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945, pp.337, 430; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda. Tom II/12, p.564; IV/11, pp.725-26; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-821 roll 448/682); (T-315 roll 1555/1124-30; roll 2258/1212 and 1309); (T-314 roll 562/125); Narodne novine issues 26 Jan 43 and 12 Feb 43.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -