Podravina operation 1944

Podravina operation

(Podravska operacija)

Introduction

Podravina operation covers several attacks on NDH and German garrisons in Podravina from 25 September to 16 October 1944.

History

Operation RATWEEK followed by general offensive ordered by Tito and Soviet advance through Romania forced Germans and NDH to redeploy their units, in particular 1st SS Cossack Division which was moved from Podravina to guard Zagreb - Dugo Selo - Novska and Zagreb - Varaždin railway which were targets of numerous sabotages. Also several garrisons were withdrawn and towns abandoned to Partisans amongst them Daruvar on 14 September, Hercegovac and Garešnica. This left Podravina relatively lightly garrisoned and exposed to attack by Yugoslav Partisan 6th and 10th Corps.

Another factor was amnesty offered by Josip Broz Tito on 30 August to members of Axis formation that all those who joined Partisans by 15 September will suffer no reprisals while those that remain will be treated as traitors. This had severe effect on already demoralized Croatian Home Defense which begun to desert in masses with entire units defecting to Partisans or simply disintegrating with soldiers going home, Germans also disarmed units they considered unreliable. 6th Corps alone reported 5567 Home Defense soldiers joining Partisan ranks.

Attack on Podravska Slatina and Čađavica

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Attack on Virovitca

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Attack on Pitomača and Kloštar

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Attack on Đurđevac, Vitje and Podravski Novigrad

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Attack on Koprivnica

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Order of battle

Axis

Yugoslav Partisans

Casualties

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Aftermath

Although attack on Koprivnica failed, most of Podravina now come under Partisan control increasing previously held area of Daruvar and Požega basins. After Batina operation and Soviet advance into Hungary connection was established with liberated parts of Yugoslavia forcing Germans to crush what become known as Virovitica bridgehead threatening rear of German units at Syrmian front.

Reference

Moslavački partizanski odred

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