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11th SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nordland
11th SS Panzergrenadierdivision Nordland
History
On 23 November, Yugoslav Partisan 7th Banija Division attacked Glina which was defended by 1st Battalion of the Danmark regiment, Ustasha company and 60 Gendarmes while 1st Brigade of 8th Division attacked village of Gore defended by single company from Nordland division. Both attacks failed forcing Partisans to launch new attack against village of Hrastovica, 5 km south of Petrinja, guarding road and rail communications between Petrinja and Glina, held by 5th Company of the 2nd Battalion from Danmark regiment. First attack during night of 24/25 November carried out by 3rd Brigade failed but it give Partisans clearer picture of German defenses. Next attack scheduled for 9:00 was disrupted by artillery fire from Petrinja delaying it until 10:20. Better organized with effective artillery support resulted in 3rd Battalion taking hill 310 and break into the village. This Partisans success seems to have panicked company commander who together with another officers and two NCO attempted to flee to Petrinja on horse drawn wagon but was killed in Partisan ambush at destroyed bridge after refusing to surrender. Command was taken over by NCO and resistance continued but without any strong points in the village it turned into house to house fighting.
By around 13:00 on 25 November company casualties were over 50% in two breakout attempts only one section managed to escape before escape route was completely blocked by Partisans reserve. It wasn't until 15:00 when only two house remains in German hands one with 18 other 60 soldiers. Both buildings were made of brick and stone and surrounded by open space providing good cover against lightly equipped Partisans. New assault begun at 17:00 with Partisans bombers managing under covering fire to throw TNT into first building cellar which caused fire but despite this resistance continued until all defenders were burned alive. Two attacks on second building failed resulting in around 10 killed Partisans, third attack was canceled due to high losses suffered by Partisans 1st Battalion leaving building under siege.
Relief attempt at dawn on 26 November from Petrinja failed as did breakout attempt from last building which left some 20 killed soldiers in front of it. At around 8:00 column of 6 German tanks arrived from Petrinja to destroyed bridge and opened fire on Partisan 4th Battalion but were forced back by Partisan anti-tank gun. These Partisan success were followed by negotiations with garrison survivors carried out by Partisan chief of staff Ignjatije Perić and Marko Lucić as translator resulting in their unconditional surrender. Prisoners included 3 German NCO's and 30 soldiers of various nationalities Danes, Norwegians, Dutch and Romanian, company suffered 92 killed out of which 4 officers and 4 NCO. Partisan had 18 killed and 43 wounded, Partisans also captured signification equipment 10 light machine-guns, 2 mortars 81mm with 144 rounds, 104 rifles with 25000 rounds, 20 pistols, 12 submachine-guns, 95 hand grandees, radio-station etc.
War crimes
During brief stay in Croatia division quickly become notorious for its indiscriminate violence against civilians. Ustasha authorities received several reports of mass executions and looting not only of civilians in Partisan held regions but also civilians in regions under Ustasha control with many heaving family members serving in Ustasha, Home Defense and even German army.
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Unit strenght 29.8.1943 Officers Subofficers Soliders SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 23 Norge 108 581 2729 SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 24 Danmark 108 583 2901 SS-Panzer-Regiment 11 88 874 1783 SS-Sturmgeschutz Battalion 11 30 160 374 SS-Panzer Artillery Regiment 11 87 372 1598 SS-Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion 11 (Aufklärungs Abteilung) 38 209 916 SS-Pionier Battalion 11 28 101 607 SS-Nachrichtung Abteilung Truppen 11 20 110 424 SS-Flak-Abteilung 31 129 730 SS-Repair Battalion 11 (Instandsetzungs-Abteilung) 38 60 379 SS-Wirtschafts Battalion 11 20 77 328 SS-Feldgendarmerie Troop 11 4 98 15 SS-Nachschub-Truppen 11 35 167 857 (76 Hw) SS-Div. St. Qu. (including K.B.Zg.) 36 72 149 Sicherungs-Kp. 3 19 99 Total: 674 3613 13889 (76 Hw) Battles & Campaigns
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