(V. topnički sklop)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Ordered formed 21 July 1941 in Sarajevo for assignment to the Bosanska Territorial Division. (1)

Operational History

Dec 41: in Petrovaradin assigned to the 3d Infantry Division.
6 Feb 42: elements of 1st Battery took part in a small anti-partisan operation in the Papuk Mountains.
1942: in the field under 4th Infantry Division (HQ in Doboj).
Dec 42: Group’s HQ and main body in Osijek.
4-5 Jan 43: 1st Battery supported the retaking of Teslić, which had briefly fallen to the Partisans.
27 Feb 43: 1st Battery from Osijek and 3d Battery supported Operation “Grün” in the Krndija and Dilj Mountains.
16-17 Apr 43: 1st Battery completely destroyed in action near Slavonska Požega while assigned to the Slavonian Brigade and supporting Operation “Braun” in the Papuk Mountains.
21 Aug 43: reorganized in Osijek with HQ, HQ Battery and 1st – 2d Battery for assignment to 1st Jäger Brigade. The Group’s former 1st Battery became 1st Battery/XVI Artillery Gp.
1 Oct 43: now in Doboj, but a rear echelon of 35 men remained in Osijek.
Feb 44: Doboj assigned to 1st Jäger Brigade (and 15 Aug 44).
Mar 45: Group reorganized and replenished in Bjelovar by incorporating the former Bjelovar and Križevci garrison batteries: HQ in Bjelovar, 1st Battery in Bjelovar, 2d Battery in Križevci, 3d Battery in Koprivnica, 4th Battery in Bjelovar and 5th (HQ) Battery in Bjelovar. Total strength: 19 officers, 63 NCOs and 407 men. Assigned to 5th Croatian Assault Division.
Apr 45: still in Bjelovar in late April.

Commanders

Podpukovnik Slavko Telarević (? - ?) Aug 1943, Oct 1943
Bojnik Josip Bajuk (? - ?) Apr 1944
Bojnik Pecovnik (? - ?) Feb 1945

Footnotes

1. Colić, Mladen. Takozvana Nezavisna Država Hrvatska 1941; Colić 1979; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-311, T-314 and T-315); [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom IV/9, p.490; V/14, p.499; V/32, p.192.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -