Operation MAIGEWITTER

Operation MAIGEWITTER

Operation May Strom

History

Failure of offensive in Hungary resulted in German decision to withdraw from Sarajevo but before withdrawal could be carried out Yugoslav 2nd Army need to be pushed back east of Tuzla so it couldn't interfere and this would also secured southern flank of German troops in Syrmia.

Initially planed for 15 March it had to postponed until 27 March until all formations reached there starting positions. From Bijeljina to Brčko was German 22nd Infantry Division with 12th Croatian Division with task of advancing to Gradačac, Srnice, Srebrnik and Ćelić. 117th Jager Division was moved from Vinkovci by rail to Brčko and Bosanki Šamac and given task to advance to Gradačac and Gračanica.

At Doboj was KG 'Geiger' (Gajger?) with 15th Croatian Division with task to advance from Doboj across Gračanica to Tuzla.

Around Sarajevo was located 7th SS Division and on 6 March it started to group around Vareš with 14th SS Regiment was suppose to advance from Vareš to Ribnica, Banovići to Tuzla but it was recalled to help surrounded parts of 181st Infantry Division at Romanija.

Advance of German and NDH formations was also to be supported by Chetnik Trebava, Majevica, Ozren, Zenica and Romania Corps and Chetniks corps from Monte Negro, Herzegovina and Sandžak.

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German advance was halted at line Gračanica - Srebrnik - Ćelić. Yugoslav 2nd Army estimated German casualties at around 1200 dead and wounded and 22 captured. 2nd Army suffered 231 dead, 686 wounded and 76 missing or captured.

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