Jure Francetic (1912

Jure Francetic

( 1912 - 1942 )

Biography

Jure Francetic was born on 3rd July 1912 in Otocac were he finished primary school. Goes to gymnasium in Senj and Otocac. In autumn 1931 he went to University of Law in Zagreb and in the same year joins Ustasha movement. Because of Ustasha propaganda he was arrested and exiled from Zagreb for a period of five years.
In march of 1933 emigrates to Italy. Following four years Francetic spent in Austria, Italy and Hungary were he took Ustasha oath in Borgotaro camp in Italy on 24 April 1933. Goes to Hungary as adjutant to Vjekoslav Servatzy who was named commander of Janka Pusta camp. After assignation of king Aleksandra he was interned on Sardinia. After amnesty was declared in Kingdom of Yugoslavia, he returned form Italy to Croatia in November 1937 but was arrested and exiled to his home town. Next year Francetic returns to Zagreb hoping to complete his study of Law but he is called off to complete military service during which he passed exam for reserve NCO in Nish. In late 1940 he was arrested in Zagreb because of congratulations sent by telegraph for Croatian nationalists to dr. Jozef Tiso, president of newly formed Slovak Republic. He is once again returned to Otocac, but is forced to escape to Germany on 12 January 1941 to avoid imprisonment for propaganda speech he held on New Year school celebration in Otocac.

After formation of Independent State of Croatia Francetic returns to homeland were he is named Ustasha representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He formed state authorities in Sarajevo and forms first units of Ustasha army to fight rebels in eastern Bosnia. From rank of Ustasha sergeant he is promoted on 20 June 1941 to a rank of captain of Poglavnik Bodyguard Battalion (PTB). During September he forms and commands Battle group Francetic better known as Black Legion (Crna Legija). Winter of 1941/42, Francetic spent in combat around Sarajevo, operations on Ozren and Romanija and Han Pijesak. To rank of major PTB he is promoted on 15 November 1941 and lieutenant-colonel PTB on 6 March 1942.

At end of March, with his Black Legion, advance into eastern Bosnia and arrives at Drina. After which he become national hero and on 24 April was decorated with Military Order of Iron Trefoil 3rd Class with oak wreaths. In late May with 1st battalion of Black Legion he is Makarska and Vrgorac, after which goes to Mostar but under Italian pressure returns to Sarajevo.

He is promoted to colonel of PTB on 24 June 1942. With parts of Legion participates in fighting on Kozara moving to Donji Vakuf during July and joining battle for Bugojno. After chasing away partisan brigades from Vrbas river valley Francetic is part of operations of colonel Simic towards Livno and Tomislavgradu. Leave Kupres on 7 August because of rebasing Ustasha battalion from Foca to Imotski. Since he was named commander of all active service brigades of Ustasha army on 25 August 1942, he turned over command of 1st Active Service Brigade to colonel Stipkovic. At time of promotion Francetic was commanding Ustasha battalion in German-Croatian operation against Sekovic.
As representative of Ustasha army escorting Ante Pavelic, Francetic visited units of Croatian 369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment (Verstarken Kroatischen Infanterie-Regiment 369) in Russia on 24 September and day earlier he was part of delegation which visited Adolf Hitler in Vinica. During October Jure Francetic command Ustasha battalion attacking Livno during operation DINARA while during November he is Kalnik region in charge of anti-partisan operation targeting Kalnik partisan detachment.

On 22 December 1942, Francetic was flying to Gospic were he was suppose to take over duty of commander of Operational sector Lika but aircraft which was piloted by Junior 2nd Lieutenant Mijo Abicic was forced to land in village Mocila near Slunja. In fight with partisan village guards and peasants Francetic suffered heavy wounds to his head. After realization of identity of aircraft passenger at local partisan headquarters Francetic was quickly moved to monastery at Slunje were it was attempted to save his life in hope of exchanging him for large number of prisoners. He operated by dr. Franc Kleinhappel and dr. Bosko Bozovic but Francetic didn't survive.
He died in Slunj hospital on 27 or 28 December 1942, burial place remained unknown. Two days after New Year it was declared that he was missing in Zagreb while confirmation of his death come on 30 March 1943.

Posthumously on 27 March 1943, he was decorated with Large golden medal for courage poglavnik Ante Pavelic with the right to carry the title of Vitez (Knight) and on second anniversary of NDH, on 8 April 1943 he was promoted to a rank of active Ustasha general. In his honor on 31 March 1943, 7th Infantry Regiment received name 7th Home Defense Infantry Regiment of Ustasha colonel knight Jure Francetic.
In June 2000, Slunj branch of Association of war veterans Hrvatski domobran erected a memorial plaque in honor of FrancetiÄ‡ with inscription 'Hrvatski vitez Jure FrancetiÄ‡' (Croatian knight Jure FrancetiÄ‡) in the town of Slunj in Croatia. The event caused nationwide controversy but the government of Ivica RaÄan didn't not intervene. In 2004 new government of Ivo Sanader intervened and based on 107. article of Croatian constitution removed it together with memorial plaque to Mile Budak in Sveti Rok. Operation was carried out at 6.30 a.m. on 27 August with strong special police protection and completed without incidents.

Plaque was restored two months later only to be removed again after few days.

Ranks

Sergeant

20 June 1941 - captain PTB

15 November 1941 - major PTB

6 March 1942 - lieutenant-colonel PTB

24 June 1942 - colonel PTB

8 April 1943 - general (krilnik), posthumously

Decorations

6 March 1942 - Military Order of Iron Trefoil 3rd Class

27 March 1943 - Large golden medal for courage poglavnik Ante Pavelic with the right to carry the title of Vitez (Knight)

Assignments

Commander of Black Legion

Commander of 1st Active Brigade of Ustasha Army

Commander of Active Service Brigades of Ustasha Army

Died
27/28 December 1942
Bibliography

Marijan, Davor: Borbe za Kupres 1942: pohod proleterskih brigada i borbe za Kupres u ljeto 1942. godine, Zagreb: AGM, 1999, ISBN 953-174-097-6, page. 177

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