18th (Croatian) Eastern Bosnian brigade
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France Pirc (1899 - 1954)
Croatian Troops in Russia
(1812 - 1813)
Written by Mislav Miholek
Croatian Provisional Regiments and Border Battalions
In 1812, Napoleon was ready to conquer Russia. Together with his other troops there were two Croatian Provisional Regiments (Régiments provisoires croates). Each Regiment had two Battalions. The 6 Battalions were taken from Illyrian Regiments. This simple system was used earlier by Austrians. You take the best battalion from Border regiment together with another and make provisional regiments.
Another unit, in which Croatians fought in Russia, was Austrian Auxiliary Corps under Field-Marshall Schwarzenberg. In Corps were 4 Croatian Battalions from Military Border that stayed under Austrian rule. Battalions were from Varaždin-Križevci, Varaždin-Đurđevac, Brod and Gradiška Border Regiments.
Croatian troops, under Major General Šlivarić, in the Battle of Berezina (26-28 November 1812) saved Napoleon's life. Day after, Napoleon said: "Croatians! I am very pleased with you!"
Sources:
- Hrvatski vojnik, broj 69 i 70, Vladimir Brnardić, Odore hrvatskih vojnika u Napoleonovoj vojsci (III. i IV. dio)
- Ivo Omrčanin, Ratna povijest Hrvatske 4, 1993.
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