Operation SEITENSPRUNG (1945)

Operation SEITENSPRUNG

Unternehmen Seitensprung / Operation Escapade or Side Leap? / Operacija Skok u stranu?

History

Carried out by 21th Army Corps Yugoslav army 10th Krajina Division.

As result of destruction of Kampfgruppe Eberlein and loss of Travnik in the aftermath of operation LAWINE. 7th SS was transferred to Zenica area in order to secure retreat route from Sarajevo.

Operation begun on 10 March by advance into Lepenica valley and frontal attack from Zujevina valley which almost managed to encircle 9th and 17th Brigade on Drozgometva ridge. After retreat and joined by 7th Division, managed to take back KreÅ¡evo. On 13 March, main part of the 7th SS Division which was delayed joined operation and again captured KreÅ¡evo but by this time 10th Division took positions on InaÄ mountain and VisoÄica hill and could no longer be encircled.

Same code name was used by Germans for attack on Anzio beachhead from 28 February to 3 March 1944.

Order of Battle

Axis ORBAT

Yugoslav army ORBAT

Casualties

Germans

killed

a

Yugoslav army

53 killed

126 wounded

12 missing

.

Aftermath

.

Reference

Za pobjedu i slobodu: Sarajevska operacija, page 649

Osprey Campaign 155: Anzio 1944, page 68