11th Infantry Regiment of Croatian Home Defense/Guard

11th Infantry Regiment

of the land army of the Home Defense/Guard (11. pjeÅ¡aÄka pukovnija)

History

On 3 October 1941, regiment was moving along from VrtoÄe to Kulen Vakuf, Partisans set up ambush at ÄŒovka and allowed forward marching elements to move passed them. Once staff cars and trucks appeared they've open fire killing regiment commander Ivan MatagiÄ‡, major Veber, captains Å imanoviÄ‡ and StevandiÄ‡, three NCO's and one soldier. Besides their weapons Partisans also captured operational plans which allowed them to set up ambush at Klenovac forcing entire regiment to fall back to BihaÄ‡.

During June 1943, regiment was deployed as garrisons in regions taken during operation WEISS resulting in counteroffensive of Yugoslav Partisan 1st Corps of Croatia. During night of 16/17 June Cetingrad was attacked by 5th Brigade of 8th Kordun division. Battle ended by 5:20 a.m. resulting in 60 defenders killed, 160 Home Defense soldiers and 2 officers captured while Partisans suffered 13 killed and 41 wounded. High Partisans losses forced them to change plans for attack on Velika KladuÅ¡a and Slunj. Initially estimate of poor moral among 11th Regiment soldiers and easy victory proved to be faulty so instead of attacking Velika KladuÅ¡a it was decided to attack weaker garrison in Slunj first with stronger forces. Partisan 15th Brigade was reinforced by two battalions of 5th Brigade, one battalion from Kordun Partisan detachment, mountain gun battery and 81mm mortar company.

Attack on 1st Battalion in Slunj begun at 20:00 on 18 June with Partisan highly effective artillery fire often relying on direct line of sight for corrections. By 22:00, Partisan 1st and 3rd Battalions begun clearing bunkers on hill 292. After loss of hill 292 attempt to reorganize defense in Slunj itself failed by quick advance of 3rd Battalion. Using cover of the night most defenders retreated to Lumbardenik and evading Partisans 2nd Battalion retreated in two columns, one column towards LaÄ‘evac village other to Furjan village which ended up pinned at Koran river and was forced to swim across. 1st Battalion suffered 3 officers, 2 NCO and 43 solider captured, 15 killed and unknown number of wounded and drowned, material losses captured by Partisans included 2 anti-tank guns 37mm, 5 machine-guns, 4 submachine-guns, around 50 rifles, over 30000 rounds of ammo, two warehouses full of clothes, food etc.

After capture of Slunj, 8th Division give orders to its 2nd Brigade and 4th Brigade of Una Operational Group for attack on Velika KladuÅ¡a which begun at 20:00 on 20 June. By 22:00 towns outer defense have fallen and by dawn only school, church and hotel 'Bosna' were still held by 11th Regiment. Directly supported by artillery Partisans managed to captured both school and church leaving only hotel 'Bosna'. In the morning of 21 June reconnaissance aircraft appeared followed by bombers which attacked Partisans positions. At 4:00 a.m. operation KLARA begun in order to rescue garrisons in Velika KladuÅ¡a and retake Slunj forcing Partisans to withdraw.

Staff

Commander

Ivan MatagiÄ‡

Mario Zlobec

Order of battle

Partial for June 1943

Staff - Velika KladuÅ¡a

1st Battalion - Slunj

1st Battalion

Mario Zlobec

2nd Battalion - Velika KladuÅ¡a

1st Battalion

Mario Zlobec

3rd Battalion

9th Company - Cetingrad

10th Company - Velika KladuÅ¡a

11th Company - Cetingrad

12th Company - Velika KladuÅ¡a

Battles & Campaigns

Operation PRIJEDOR

Lug

Tuzla II

11th Infantry Regiment

of the land army of the Home Defense/Guard (11. pjeÅ¡aÄka pukovnija)

History

Staff

Order of battle

Battles & Campaigns

of the land army of the Home Defense/Guard (11. pjeÅ¡aÄka pukovnija)