369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment

The 369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment (Croatian: "369. pojačana pješačka pukovnija", German: "Verstärktes Kroatisches Infanterie-Regiment 369"), also known as the Croatian Legion was a military unit of the Independent State of Croatia's Croatian Home Guard which fought alongside the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front.

Formation

Croatian leader Ante Pavelić sent a letter to German fuhrer Adolf Hitler on June 23, 1941 stating that the Independent State of Croatia was ready to send troops to the Eastern Front. [http://www.feldgrau.com/croatia.html Croatian volunteers in the German Wehrmacht in WWII] ] On July 1 Hitler responded, accepting the offer, and the following day a call for volunteers was made. While Croatian officials had hoped for 3900 volunteers, their call was exceeded as 9000 volunteers came forward. By July 16 the unit was formed and was given its Wehrmacht unit name.

Although the unit was considered by the Independent State of Croatia to be a part of the Croat Home Guard, it was placed under Wehrmacht command because the state never officially declared war against the USSR. 369th regiment was formally a German Military unit, under German Military Court jurisdiction and direct German high command throughout the war. All soldiers wore Wehrmacht uniforms and insignia with a Croatian checkerboard patch with the word Hrvatska ("Croatia") on it. [ [http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=2158 Infanterie Regiment 369 (kroatisches)] ] [http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/croatia/3007434/index.do Stalingrad - war diaries of a Croatian regiment] ] A training battalion was formed for the regiment in Stockerau. The regiment was transported to Dollersheim for training. From August 16 to 19 it was transported in 17 trains to Dongena in Bessarabia. From here the regiment went on a 35 day forced march to Ukraine. On October 9 the regiment was assigned to the 100th Jäger Division with 17th German army, Army Group "South".

Military action on Eastern Front

The regiment saw action in the towns and villages of Petrusani, Kremencuga, Poltava, Saroki, Balti, Pervomajsk, Kirovgrad, Petropavlovsk, Taranovka, Grisin, Stalino, Vasiljevka, Aleksandrovka, Ivanovka and Garbatovo.

Starting in early 1942, soldiers of the unit were able to send messages back to the Independent State of Croatia, which were then read on Hrvatski Krugoval ("Croatian Radio"). [http://free-sk.htnet.hr/radio_museum/Povijest%20radija%20u%20Hrvatskoj.htm History of Radio in Croatia] ] Hundreds of messages were sent back and their reading proved to be one of the most popular programs on the station. On September 24, 1942 the regiment was visited by Ante Pavelić, along with Jure Francetić. [ [http://www.vojska.net/eng/biography/f/francetic/jure/ Jure Francetic at Vojska.net] ] [http://www.cegesoma.be/pallas/servlet/gisc?vn=65627 During these visits] Pavelic decorated a number of legionnaires. Pavelić also visited and decorated [http://www.cegesoma.be/pallas/servlet/gisc?vn=65631 Croat air force crews] flying with Luftwaffe.

The 369th regiment saw first combat action against Russian forces in October 1941 after 750km long exhausting marches to village Budinskaja. The regiment participated in hard mostly victorious battles against Russians during unusually cold winter 1941 and spring 1942. First 369th regiment Commander Col. Ivan Markulj managed to transform the regiment consisting of poorly trained volunteers with a large number of undisciplined soldiers into battle hardened decorated and admired unit by summer 1942. To improve poor discipline only on 30th September 1941 from village Novi Senečani Col. Ivan Markulj sent 43 officers and NCOs as well as 144 legionnaires back to Croatia due to illness and/or disciplinary reasons . [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ] . During April 1942 four legionaries were sentenced to death and shot while many others were imprisoned between 2 to over 10 years. German sources report with admiration that Croat legionaries remained on frontlines during desperate and deadly Soviet counterattacks deserted by their battle shocked German comrades. Markulj was transferred back to Croatia most likely due to illness and was temporarily replaced by Col. Mesic on 7th July 1942 and Lt.Col. Ivan Babić who was finally replaced by Col. Viktor Pavičić. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

369th regiment was to become known to German command as originally undisciplined, poorly trained,and poorly organized unit, but with time was transformed into battle hardened and successful in most difficult battles during spring and summer 1942. 100th German Division commander General Werner Sanne commended the regiment battle successes and especially Mesic's artillery section on 21st and 22nd February 1942 and personally on 23rd of February 1942 awarded Col. Mesic with Iron Cross. Legion was to experience it's most difficult and victorious battles at Harkov and Kalach encirclement and for the legion very painful 2 day battle at kolhoz 'Proljet Kultura'. At 'Proljet Kultura' during German attack on 27th of July and overwhelming Soviet counter attack on 28th of July the regiment suffered in desparate hand to hand combat 53 dead and 186 wounded. Worst recorded casualties before Stalingrad were 171 dead suffered in combat along various river Samara villages. Killed in action during this period were Lt. Tomljenović, Lt. Tomislav Anić and Lt. Ivan Malički. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ] Col. Markulj with Lt. Eduard Bakarec and six other legion officers received Iron Cross First class after Harkov. Lt. Bakarec who was the first Legion soldier ever to receive Iron Cross 2nd class was later wounded at Stalingrad and evacuated to Croatia where he was killed on 5th of July 1944. Col. and later NDH general Markulj was tried and executed in Belgrade Sept. 1945. Markulj was court martialled and executed after his capture by Allies who extradited him to Yugoslav army in summer 1945. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

Report dated 21st of June 1942 states that Legion counted 113 officers, 7 military clerks, 625 NCOs, 4317 soldiers with a total of 2902 horses. Number of legionnaires from that date was fast reducing to reported total of 1403 altogether by 21st of October 1942. New fresh forces from Croatia were not added except for returns of sick and wounded and few officers and staff. Total of 22 (15%) officers were killed, 38 (26%) wounded and 66 (45%) returned to Croatia from original 147 Legion officers in total before fall. Only 20 officers including Mesic remained in Stalingrad and one is treated as MIA. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

talingrad battle

It is important to note that Paulus and his 6th Army group were the best military unit German Wermacht and Hitler ever had. They were the most experienced, most disciplined, best trained and equipped German units with past successes unparalleled in Europe until they reached Stalingrad. As a result of bravery in combat and successes paid for in heavy casualties, Croat legion was honoured by the German command to be the only non-German unit selected to enter Stalingrad. First two weeks of battle until 13th October 1942 were deadly with 120 soldiers killed, 352 wounded and 50 MIAs. Lt Aleksander Franic and Major Paar were also killed. 369th is one of very few units achieving ordered objectives and later manages to reach river Volga.

Sergeant Dragutin Podobnik was the most decorated NCO of the Legion and was awarded Iron Cross Second and First Class as well as many Croat decorations including one personally from Pavelic September 1942. Sergeant Podobnik became famous during Stalingrad battle when he was ordered to take a 'T shaped building' in Red October Factory (T-Haus) by Pavicic and decided not to wait for supporting but delayed armoured vehicles. Podobnik and his 18 men surprised the Russians and without losses captured the building killed the enemy crews and handed it over to German 54th Army Group units. Russians surprised and killed the whole German unit by entering the building through underground corridors. Few days later the same T-Haus building was again taken by German forces suffering heavy casualties. Sergeant Podobnik was later wounded and evacuated from Stalingrad and was killed during spring 1945 as a soldier of Pavelic's elite unit. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

Legionnaires fought bravely until the very end and surrender to forces of general Vasiljev around 29th or 30th of Jan 1943. The Legion was decimated holding without rest day and night moving between north and south frontlines around famous Red October factory suffering heavy casualties. Infantry combat units on 21st of October 1942 counted remaining 983 legionaries (not counting artillery and support) and it was reduced to 443 on 21st of Jan 1943 or more than 50% loss of life in 3 months. Regiment command and artillery unit were stationed in and around Stalingrad flight school and nearby cemetery known as Stalingradskaja runway. The Legion's heavy casualties reduced it's last frontline on 14th of Jan to 200m held by some 90 remaining frost bitten legionaries without food ammunition exposed to 24 hour battles on temperatures below -30deg C. Col. Mesić become its last commander on January 14th 1943 after resignation and disappearance of Colonel Viktor Pavicic. Col. Pavicic recommended Mesic to General Sanne in his preserved letter as his successor. General Sanne's command formally reported Pavicic's disappearance as desertion while legionnaire Sgt. Erwin Juric who flew out on 23rd of Jan 1943 claimed Col. Pavicic was issued required formal documents signed by Gen. Sanne to leave Stalingrad by air on 15th of Jan 1943. During last days Legion was desperately retraining inexperienced artillery and support soldiers to infantry combat duty from remaining 700 non combat legionaries. Last official report of 21st Jan 1943 counts 443 infantry and 444 artillery soldiers in Stalingrad. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

War diary and documents mention Colonel Desović, Major Mladić and Major Pletikosa, Captain Majerberger, Madraš and Tahir Alagić, Lt. Sloboda, Lt. Božidar Katušić, Lt. Jelić, Lt. Telišman Milivoj, Lt. Mihajlo Zubčevski, brave Lt. Fijember, Lt. Krsnik, Lt. Rudolf Baričević, Lt. Mihajlo Korobkin, Lt. Drago Mautner, Lt. Ivan Pap, Lt. Tomas, Lt. Ivan Čorić, Lt. Zvonimir Bućan, Lt. Djekić and many others. Sergeants Kučera, Martinovic and Anton Štimac are mentioned for their bravery and courage under fire. Legion doctors are dr. Modrijan and dr. Vranješ while vetrinary doctor who treats wounded with success is dr. Hrestak Marijan. Dragutin Sudec, sergeants Kolaric and Zoričić are mentioned, Lt. August Cerovečki is wounded and flown out while Capt. Madraš refuses flight to safety and remains with his men. Accused of insubordination, dereliction of duty and/or cowardly behaviour were many including names like Grbeša, Karlović Ivan, Resele Ivan, Stipetić Ivo and Tufo Ešref. Major Tomislav Brajkovic is in desperate command of remaining fast disappearing frontline infantry combat units from October to December 1942. Major Brajkovic tried hard to keep up frontline units battle discipline, morale and supply/support but on own request, after disagreements with other Legion officers and possibly Col. Pavicic, was transferred during January together with Major Tahir Alagić 1943 to another German unit. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ] .

Possibly the last German soldiers to leave Stalingrad's doomed German Sixth Army by air were a group of 18 wounded and sick Croat legionnaires including Lt. Barićević as well as the Legion’s original Unit War Diaries and many documents thus preserved. These last wounded Croat legionaries were flown out only due to unbelievable almost suicidal bravery of Luftwaffe pilot(s) who dared to land that night 22nd to 23rd of January 1943 on the last serviceable German Staljingradskaja airfield near 369th artillery section positions. Night before, 21st to 22nd of Jan many Luftwaffe planes crashed during desperate radio navigated nigh time only takeoff and landing into deep snowdrifts at -30degC temperatures flying hundreds of meters above and away from fast advancing Russian forces. Already during daytime on 23rd of January Stalingradskaja was not serviceable any more and was controlled by the Russians.

After capitulation of German 6th Army by General Paulus on February 2, the Legion commanded by Lt.Col. Mesić and 15 officers, approximately 100 mostly wounded sick and frostbitten combat soldiers as well as some 600 other legionaries from artillery and support units became Russian prisoners of war. 369th Regiment lost 175 soldiers killed in action during these last two weeks or 20% total troop strength. Under 6% or 6.000 of total of 107.800 (91.000 + 16.800) of [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_6._Armee |6th Army] German soldiers who surrendered at Stalingrad returned to Germany alive after the war.The remaining members of the legion were first assembled at Beketovka on river Volga where they were joined by some 80,000 mainly German as well as Italian Rumanian and Hungarian POWs . Later they were sent on a forced march to Moscow where they were to be joined by other Croatian legionnaires from the Light Transport Brigade assigned to Italian forces on the Eastern Front. Many died there due to lack of food and firewood as well as typhoid, dysentery and later anaemia / scorbut.

Regiment veterans

More than 1000 legionnaires were evacuated from Russia and later Stalingrad by various means and for various reasons. There was a number of legionnaires who were trained but were not despatched to Russia. They were awarded the "Croatian Legion 1941 Linden Leaf" for their service and formed the core of a new unit, the 369th Infantry Division. [ [http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/related/axis_allies/croatia_main.htm Croatian Units on the Eastern Front] ]

Legion soldiers as Soviet prisoners of war and in Tito's Yugoslav army

German soldiers who survived post Stalingrad captivity and returned after the war mostly refuse to comment or discuss when interviewed their Russian captivity days as ' too hard to discuss, time when all human values were destroyed and men were turned into animals'. Stalingrad German (and Croat) veterans POW hardships resulting in only some 5% returning home alive after the war is likely unparallelled in modern history of war.

Summer 1943 100 legionaries and 6 officers including Marko Mesic were transferred to Suzdalj and later all are moved to Krasnogorsk near Moscow where they later meet with most of surviving Croat soldiers. At Krasnogorsk and later Karasovo Soviets start formation of new unit in Royal Yugoslav uniforms (Soviets did not recognise Tito's forces as a sovereign state then). During early Russian imprisonment, Col. Mesić may have been forced to appear in Soviet propaganda wearing a Royal Yugoslav Army uniform and Tito's flag to save the lives of his remaining men. Upon news of this, the Ministry of the Armed Forces removed him from the Croatian Armed Forces and rescinded his awards.

Col. Mesić was given command by the Soviets of this newly formed First Yugoslav Volunteer Brigade assembled from prisoners of war of Yugoslavian origin as well as volunteers living in Russia at the time. It is quite likely that most former Croatian soldiers of 369. Regiment chose communist partisan service to avoid almost certain death in Russian prisoner-of-war camps. During the first few months in captivity legionnaire numbers were reduced from some 700 to around 400 odd survivors or 40% loss of life in under twelve months. The new Yugoslav partisan brigade, now wearing old Royal Yugoslav Army uniforms, was commanded by battle hardened former 369th Regiment Croat Legion officers like Lt.Col. Egon Zitnik former commander of Light Transport Unit, Major Marijan Prislin former Mesic's 369. artillery section second in command, Major Marijan Tulicic former Mesic's 369. artillery unit commander. New unit military training was very fast as most men were battle hardened very experienced soldiers. As late as March 1944 they were joined by 200 more former 369th legionaries led by former 369th Stalingrad doctor Bogoljub Modrijan, Lt. Vlahov, Lt. Tahtamišimov Lt.Draženović and Lt. Ivan Vadlja who was wounded at Stalingrad but missed the last flight out. They were transported to Yugoslavia late 1944 where they were sacrificed in combat against superior German forces under direct orders from Tito suffering a very high rate of casualties fighting for the Yugoslav army. Few remaining survivors were all suspected and most were later sentenced as Soviet secret services infiltrators by partisans as well as Croat NDH authorities. [Pojić, Milan. " [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.] ". Croatian State Archives. Zagreb, 2007. ]

Commanders

*Colonel Ivan Markulj
*Lieutenant-Colonel Ivan Babić
*Colonel Viktor Pavičić
*Lieutenant-Colonel Marko Mesić

References

Literature

* [http://www.jutarnji.hr/nedjeljni_jutarnji/clanak/art-2008,2,24,,109804.jl Heroji za pogrešnu stvar: Bačeni na Staljingrad, Jutarnji list, 24. veljače 2008.]
* [http://www.naklada-ljevak.hr/knjiga/show/id/2079 Milan Pojić Hrvatska pukovnija 369. na Istočnom bojištu 1941. - 1943.]
* Welz H. Verratene Grenadiere. — Berlin, Deutscher Militärverlag, 1965

External links

* [http://renebrand.eu/Stalingrad/st_kampf013c.jpgLuftwaffe photo from Stalingrad battle days, visible signal flare could even be from Croaat positions]
* [http://renebrand.eu/Stalingrad/0stalingrad-kampf1.htm Good collection of photos from Stalingrad battle days. Legion was for most part fighting north and south of Red October factory located north of tennis racket shaped railway yards.]
* [http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/related/axis_allies/croatia_main.htm Dated pictures and English text about the Legion.]
* [http://www.stalingrad-info.com/556.jpgUnits location sketch from Stalingrad.]
* [http://www.ullsteinbild.de] search for " kroatische ostfront " returns so far rarely seen original German photos of 369th Legion
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cre4CI9ddGw&NR=1] Dramatic movie scenes about Stalingrad battle on U-tube