Operation DUBROVNIK 2

Operation DUBROVNIK 2

Description
After successful conclusion of Operation DUBROVNIK and losses suffered by partisans in later fighting's, Ustasha colonel Ante Moskov, on 7th February 1944, issued orders for new operation.

Operation started on 8th February at 5 a.m. with NDH troops attacking battalion from Zagorje partisan detachment in village Osijek. Surprised battalion quickly withdraw in disarray and managed to avoid heavier losses. NDH troops during the day encountered stiffer resistance from Kalnik partisan detachment during capture of Gradec postion (hill 368) and hamlet Brezanci in village Apatovc. At 5 p.m. 2nd Battalion of Kalnik partisan detachment launched counterattacked on hamlet Brezanci pushing NDH troops further from village Apatovac, same battalion also made partially successful attack on hill 368 pushing NDH troops from forward line.

In Bednja valley parts of 1st Regiment of PTS at around 11 a.m. moved from Varazdinske Toplice towards Svibovac were it was halted by fire from Reconnaissance section of partisan 'Braca Radic' Brigade. After attack on Svibovac 3rd Battalion of 'Braca Radic' Brigade sent a section with light machine-gun to Medved forest (hill 346) south of Leskovac village which was attacked by three Ustasha companies at 1 p.m.

On 9th February defense of 'Matija Gubec' cracked and Ludberg and Koprivnica quickly fell.

Koprinica fell to 5th Active Service Brigade of Ustasha Army while Ludberg was captured by 3rd Regiment of PTS which was still forming. During the attack colonel Krunoslav Devcic who was killed while leading the charge of his battalion.

Operation was completed with capture of Ludberg and Koprivnica.

Orders of Battle

Axis ORBAT

NOVJ ORBAT

Casualties Partisans reported casualties of 22 dead, 21 wounded and 17 missing while claiming 88 dead and 109 wounded enemy soldiers amongst them 4-5 Ustasha officers - colonel Krunoslav Devcic who was killed while leading the charge of his regiment on 9 February on Ludberg while lieutenant-colonel Ivan Raic died from heart attack. Also partisans captured 35 rifles, 1 heavy machine-gun, field kitchen, damaged two tanks and burned one truck.
NDH commander of Varazdin colonel Begic in his report to 1st Corps District reports casualties of 11 dead and 22 wounded and partisans losses at 350 killed and 600 wounded.

Aftermath With Koprivnica secured NDH troops quickly moved to recapture Pitomaca and repair railroads Zagreb-Varazdin, Zagreb - Krizevici and Koprivnica - Krizevci.

Description	After successful conclusion of Operation DUBROVNIK and losses suffered by partisans in later fighting's, Ustasha colonel Ante Moskov, on 7th February 1944, issued orders for new operation. Operation started on 8th February at 5 a.m. with NDH troops attacking battalion from Zagorje partisan detachment in village Osijek. Surprised battalion quickly withdraw in disarray and managed to avoid heavier losses. NDH troops during the day encountered stiffer resistance from Kalnik partisan detachment during capture of Gradec postion (hill 368) and hamlet Brezanci in village Apatovc. At 5 p.m. 2nd Battalion of Kalnik partisan detachment launched counterattacked on hamlet Brezanci pushing NDH troops further from village Apatovac, same battalion also made partially successful attack on hill 368 pushing NDH troops from forward line. In Bednja valley parts of 1st Regiment of PTS at around 11 a.m. moved from Varazdinske Toplice towards Svibovac were it was halted by fire from Reconnaissance section of partisan 'Braca Radic' Brigade. After attack on Svibovac 3rd Battalion of 'Braca Radic' Brigade sent a section with light machine-gun to Medved forest (hill 346) south of Leskovac village which was attacked by three Ustasha companies at 1 p.m. On 9th February defense of 'Matija Gubec' cracked and Ludberg and Koprivnica quickly fell. Koprinica fell to 5th Active Service Brigade of Ustasha Army while Ludberg was captured by 3rd Regiment of PTS which was still forming. During the attack colonel Krunoslav Devcic who was killed while leading the charge of his battalion. Operation was completed with capture of Ludberg and Koprivnica.

Orders of Battle	Axis ORBAT NOVJ ORBAT

Casualties	Partisans reported casualties of 22 dead, 21 wounded and 17 missing while claiming 88 dead and 109 wounded enemy soldiers amongst them 4-5 Ustasha officers - colonel Krunoslav Devcic who was killed while leading the charge of his regiment on 9 February on Ludberg while lieutenant-colonel Ivan Raic died from heart attack. Also partisans captured 35 rifles, 1 heavy machine-gun, field kitchen, damaged two tanks and burned one truck. NDH commander of Varazdin colonel Begic in his report to 1st Corps District reports casualties of 11 dead and 22 wounded and partisans losses at 350 killed and 600 wounded.

Aftermath	With Koprivnica secured NDH troops quickly moved to recapture Pitomaca and repair railroads Zagreb-Varazdin, Zagreb - Krizevici and Koprivnica - Krizevci.