Operation SCHLEUDER

Operation SCHLEUDER

Operation Sling

History

German anti-partisan operation carried out from 22 April 1944 on line ArÅ¾ano - Plavno with task of pushing Yugoslav partisan 20th Dalmatian Division away from Cetina river valley by German 264th Infantry Division. Primary goal was to test and deceive Partisan defenses in preparation for much larger operation RÃ¶sselsprung. Advance begun towards Vrdova and VjeÅ¡tiÄ‡a gora against defensive line of the Partisan 20th Division, Axis forces ended operation already on 24 April and retread from the area 24/25 April 1944.

In order to help 20th, Partisan 9th Division organized combat group of 3 battalions (1st battalions of the 3rd and 4th Dalmatian and 3rd Battalion of the 13th Dalmatian brigades) under command of divisional chief of staff MomÄilo PoleksiÄ‡ which attacked from direction of UniÅ¡ta. During 25 April group chased away Chetniks from villages ÄŒitluk and Cetina and during night 27/28 April attacked Civljane and Kijevo at dawn retreating to line Podgradina GlavaÅ¡ - LukovaÄa. During same night Chetniks using knowledge of terrain outflanked Partisans and attacked them from the flank and rear causing panic and forcing them to retreat.

Order of battle

Casualties

German - 8 wounded, 1 missing

Partisans - 28 killed, 2 captured, lot included 1 machine gun, 2 rifles and 265 sheep and goats(!)

1st Battalion of the 3rd Dalmatian brigade - 3 killed, 14 missing