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

Formed January 1942 with HQ in Osijek and comprised three battalions (I – III). A IV and V Battalion were formed later. The entire Regiment was moved from the Osijek – Vinkovci area to the Varaždin – Bjelovar – Zagreb area in spring 1943. 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

1 May 43: II Bn. beginning to arrived in Ludbreg but the move not completed until June.
24 Jun 43: I and III Battalions each provided one company for Operation “Zagorje” in the Kalnik Mountains. Under the tactical command of Croatian 2d Infantry Rgt., the operation was supposed to comb and clear Partisans from the Novi Marof area between Varaždin and Križevci, but as so often the case the Partisans evaded the net and there were very few casualties on either side before it was called off on 1 July.
15 Jul 43: Regiment designated as the infantry and military police source for the 3d Mountain Brigade.
19-20 Sep 43: 1 officer and 100 men deserted with their weapons from their barracks in Varaždin.
3 Oct 43: II Bn. surrendered Ludbreg to elements of the 10th Division NOVJ and virtually the entire battalion was taken prisoner.
Feb 44: renamed 1st Replacement Rgt./I Replacement Brigade.

Commanders

?

Subordination

II Territorial Corps (early 1942 - spring 1943)
I Territorial Corps (spring 1943 - Feb 1944)

Order of Battle (May 1943)

Regiment HQ in Varaždin
I Bn. (1st – 5th Co. and an Auxiliary Co.) in Varaždin
II Bn. (1st – 4th Co. and an Auxiliary Co.) in Bjelovar later in Ludbreg
III Bn. (1st – 3d Co. and an Auxiliary Co.) in Zagreb
IV Bn. (1st – 5th Co. and an Auxiliary Co.) in Janusevac near Zagreb
Signal Co. in Varaždin
Artillery Btry (4 field guns) in Zagreb

Order of Battle (Jan 1944)

Regiment HQ in Varaždin
I Bn. (1st – 4th Co., MG Co., Auxiliary Co.) in Varaždin with 3d Co. in Križevci
II Bn. (no longer existed – see below)
III Bn. (1st – 4th Co., MG Co., Auxiliary Co.) in Zagreb
IV Bn. (1st – 5th Co.) in Zagreb
Signal Co. in Varaždin
2d Recruit Artillery Btry (without guns) in Zagreb
Infantry Gun Co. in Varaždin
NCO Cadet Co. in Varaždin

Footnotes

1. Colić 1979, p.157; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945, p.577; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata I podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom II/12, p.564; V/16, p.510; V/19, p.694; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-821 roll 448/682); (T-315 roll 1296/50, roll 1554/470); (T-314 roll 1544/251); Narodne novine issues 10 and 26 Jan 43.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -