(II. žestra bojna)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed early 1942, probably in Karlovac, as the Karlovac Railway Guard Battalion and as one of initially three battalions established to guard the railway line between Zagreb and Karlovac, and in the Lika between Karlovac and Ogulin. Had an initial strength of 1,000. Sometimes referred to as the II “Lika” Railway Security Bn., “Lika” being the region where it was deployed 1943-45. (1)

Apr 42: 3d Co. detached in the Varaždin – Varaždin Toplice area.
1943: Battalion guarded the railway line between Karlovac and Ostarije with elements also in Gospić. Strength during the first half of the year averaged around 900.
20 Nov 43: HQ in Vrbovsko/Lika under I Operations Sector/I Corps with 1st – 3d Co. - strength: 4 officers, 12 NCOs and 281 men.
12 Apr 44: HQ now said to be in Ostarije/Lika and under the tactical control of the German 392. Inf.Div. (kroat.).
20 Jun 44: HQ in Ogulin with 1st – 3d Co. - Battalion re-designated V Bn./2d Garrison Brigade this date.

Commanders

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Footnotes

1. NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-315 roll 2270/1005-06); occasional references in other German documents and in the [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda series and in [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -