Operation MORGENSTERN

Operation MORGENSTERN

Unternehmen MORGENSTERN / Operation Morning Star

History

Originally named operation Krbava field (Unternehmen KRBAVSKOPOLJE)
German anti-partisan operation carried out from 7 to 16 May 1944 in area west and south-west from Bihac by 15th Mountain Corps with task of clearing of Krbava field and destruction of Yugoslav partisan 35th Division.

Operation was planed for some time but was constantly delayed because of lack of forces available, Germans were finally forced to act after Partisan attacks on Ramljane and Perusic. Also caught in area covered by offensive were 1st and 3rd Brigade of Yugoslav partisan 8th Kordun Division, 3rd Brigade from 13th Division and Lika partisan detachment with headquarters of 11th Corps.

Order of battle

Axis

NOVJ losses

436 killed

56 captured

18 defected

9 trucks

1 omnibus

2 armored vehicles

2 motorcycles

38 wagons of all types

4 heavy machine-guns

5 medium mortars

11 light machine-guns

1 anti-tank rifle

88 rifles

115 ammunitions creates

116 disarmed mines

157 horses

2329 sheep's

350 head of cattle

radio-telephone, airfield and medical equipment