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Operation BERGGEIST

(Operation Mountain Spirit / Operacija Planinski/brdski/Å¡umski duh / Berggajst)

History

In order to ease Partisan now renamed Yugoslav army pressure on defense of Sarajevo at Jablanica and Trebavić, German 21st Mountain Corps decided to launch counterattack and deployed two regiments of the 7th SS Division 'Prinz Eugen' in area of Hrasnica, Blažuja and Butmir.

During night of 16/17 March Germans begun to infiltrate first parts of 14th SS Regiment over Igman mountain towards Presjenica. Purpose of this group was to attack staff, artillery and rear area of the Yugoslav 3rd Division located at Trnovo and create opportunity to strike into rear of divisions brigades holding positions facing Sarajevo. Frontal attack was launched by 964th Fortress Brigade and battle group Daniel.

Area of Igman was difficult mountain, hill and forested terrain with almost no roads covered by deep snow, because of this Partisans failed to give it any attention leaving a large gap between 5th Brigade of 3rd Division and right wing of 29th Herzegovina division. Infiltration remained undetected until noon on 17 March when it reached line Oblo brdo - Ledići village easily pushing aside parts of 5th Proletarian brigade, 8 kilometers southwest of Trnovo threatening left flank and rear of the 3rd Division. German advance fought its way along Dujmović - Godinje - Turovi - Tošići towards Sarajevo - Trnovo road.

Following 14th SS Regiment was 13th SS Regiment which attacked Yugoslav artillery positions around village Umčani forcing it to retreat. During evening German tanks caught up with retreating divisional hospital and rear echelons but run into well placed, behind sharp road curve, anti-tank gun manned by Dušane Sekulić, commander of anti-tank battalion. First tank was destroyed by first shell blocking the road for other tanks allowing safe retreat of Yugoslav units.

Next days saw further retreat of Yugoslav forces, 3rd Division was partially encircled on Jahorina mountainside, until they regrouped and begun launching their own counterattacks with 4th Herzegovina battalion attacking Germans in the rear through Hojte pass. On 20 March operation was official completed with Germans pulling back from their exposed position at Trnovo mining roads and blowing up bridges as they retreated under assault by 3rd Division, four Herzegovina battalions supported by corps artillery and Yugoslav 1st Air Force Squadron. By 24 March front line was restored back to starting position.

Order of Battle

  • Axis ORBAT
  • NOVJ ORBAT

Casualties

  • Germans
    • killed
    • a
  • Yugoslav army
    • 3rd Division
    • 64 killed
    • 95 wounded
    • 19 missing
    • Herzegovina battalions
    • 15 killed
    • 60 wounded

.

Aftermath

Although successful operation which delayed planed assault on Sarajevo it failed to inflict serious losses on Yugoslav army. 7th SS Division was moved to Vareš for operation OSTERGLOCKE.

Reference

  • Za pobjedu i slobodu: Sarajevska operacija