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Zvonimir Povic
( 1921 - ? )
Biography
Zvonimir (Antun) Povic was born on 13 August 1921 in Bosanski Brod. Father Vjekoslav and mother Marija (maiden name Albrecht), also had sister Slavica, brother Drago and brother Stanislava called 'Puba' also member of Croatian Armed Forces during World War 2 who was killed and body dropped in Maribor anti-tank ditches. He attended Gymnasium in Mostar and in Zagreb were he graduated at 1st Men's Gymnasium after which he went to Law School University of Zagreb.
At the beginning of the war he joined officers school and after its completion he received rank of Junior 2nd Lieutenant on 16 May 1942. He remained in Kerestinac as instructor of second officer course. Served on security of railway line Karlovac-Ogulin (Gornji zvecaj). On 12 June 1943 he was wounded (Perjasica) and his company was taken over by 2nd Lieutenant from 3rd. After leaving hospital he was given command of platoon in 3rd Company of 10th Active Battalion of Ustasha army.
His charge on Italian armored car in front of entrance of headquarters of LOMBARDIA division on 3 September 1943 got him decorated with Military order of Iron Trefoil 4th Class for successful command of his unit. Because of his wound he was transferred to headquarters of Ustasha army on 1 January 1944.
On 24 March 1944 he married Marija (maiden name Oresic) in church of St. Nikola Tavelic (Kustosija), best men were Markovic and Josic (Jozic Marjan). He lived in Zagreb, Selska 45 (parents) and Meduliceva 5 (?) (wife).
Sometime around Easter 1945 he parted with his pregnant wife and son somewhere around Maribor.
He retreated with his brigade as part of 3rd Corps and from Zagreb made rear guard of main column. After death general Mifek in Podsused Povic takes over command of 3rd Division which arrived on Bleiburg on 15th May 1945. As one excellent brigade commander different stories where made up about him to hide the fact that he was one of the youngest senior officers of armed forces, who is in heroism by destroying two Partisan divisions and one Soviet tank battalion is equal to general Boban.
His father Vjekoslav, who worked on Zagreb railway, was taken in May 1945 by communists to Maksimir and murdered, his mother died shortly after. Wife Marija with 1 year and 4 months old baby in hands and pregnant survived the Way of the Cross and by chance because of small baby was released from Maksimir concentration camp. She never got a employment and was constantly prosecuted ending up in jail four times finally died in 1967 at age of 44.
Mr. Brajdic (Croatian Home Defense soldier) remembers story that Z.P was seen at Maribor in Jeep with red star on his cap. Mr. Ismet Baljic school friend of Z.P., which went through Way of the Cross heard similar story that Z.P. was seen in allied uniform.
On 15 February 1946 he was declared enemy of the people by Yugoslav authorities in Vjesnik newspaper.
Ranks
- 16 May 1942 - Junior 2nd Lieutenant of Ustasha army (UV)
- 13 June 1942 - 2nd Lieutenant UV
- 14 July 1944 - 1st Lieutenant UV
- 11 December 1944 - Captain UV
- 14 February 1945 - 425/07/ before time promoted to reserve Lieutenant-Colonel UV, for exceptional service in combat against Russian, Bulgarian and Yugoslav forces at Syrmian front with 13th Active Service Brigade which he commanded as part of 3rd Croatian Division. In Zagreb 21 January 1945, (Vjestnik MINORS-a 425/07/14.II.1945)
Decorations
- 4 June 1943 - Small silver medal for courage Ante Pavelic 3rd Class
- 12 June 1943 - Wound badge with single blue stripe
- 3 September 1943 - Military order of Iron Trefoil 4th Class
- 9 September 1944 - Order of the Crown of King with war ribbon
- 20 January 1945 - for exceptional service at Syrmian front received Military order of Iron Trefoil 3rd Class with oak wreath
- 10 April 1945 - Large silver medal for courage Ante Pavelic 3rd Class for destruction of Soviet tank battalion
- Holder of honorary title TROLIST 1st year of Ustasha officer school.
- War ribbon with state coat of arms.
Assignments
- July 1942 - Platoon commander in 3rd Company of 5th Battalion of 3rd Active Service Brigade of Ustasha army
- 1 August 1942 - acting company commander, later company commander
- August 1943 - Platoon commander in 3rd Company of 10th Active Battalion of Ustasha army
- 1 January 1944 - transferred to headquarters of Ustasha army in Zagreb
- 1 April 1944 - transferred and placed in charge of forming 13th Active Service Brigade, Hrvatska Mitrovica
- 15 July 1944 - commander of 13th Active Service Brigade, Hrvatska Mitrovica
- 15 October 1944 - 13th Active Service Brigade becomes part of 3rd Croatian Division of general Mifek
- 22 October 1944 - named to judging commission for ranks of active Junior 2nd Lieutenant of armed forces
- 20 December 1944 - deputy commander of 3rd Croatian Division
Died
???Bibliography
- Zvonimir Povic, son of Zvonimira Povic, Jamnicka 48, 47 206 LASINJA, phone +385 047 884 407
- Material for book “POVIEST HOS-a†editor Dragec SCURIC – Australia
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