Operation TROLIST (Trefoil)

Operation TREFOIL

(Operacija Trolist)

Intro

NDH anti-partisan operation from 28 to 30 November 1944 to surround and destroy Yugoslav Partisans 32nd Zagorje Division and Western group of Partisan detachments of Croatia in wider area of Zaistovac and Preska.

History

32nd Zagorje Division arrived in Zagroje were it carried out mobilization and attacks on roads Zagreb - VaraÅ¾din and Zagreb - Vrbovec. Task was first battle test for recently formed 1st Croatian Assault Division

20th Ustasha regiment advanced along Vrbovec - Lukovo - Preska - Lipnica - Salnik, with task of reaching blocking line Preseka - Salnik and make firm connection with group from Krizevci and group "Zelina" from Sv. Ivan Zelina by noon on 28 November. By 10.00 a.m. operation was developing as planed as mention in MINORS report. Partisan resistance was encountered at villages Poljancec, Lipnica, Hudovo.

Casualties

NDH reports claimed heavy partisan losses:

154 killed

24 captured

1 commander

1 political commissar

1 machine-gun

2 submachine-guns

91 rifles

40 land mines

messenger (kurir)

while losing only 1 killed, 1 drowned and 15 wounded.

Yugoslav Partisans reports dismisses these claims reporting their casualties at:

8 killed: Brlek Slavko, Äeri JuliÅ¡ka, Kolarec Slavko, KovaÄiÄ‡ Alojz, KraljiÄek Ivan, LonÄar Vinko, Hercigonja and Milan Julije

3 wounded

37 missing

while claiming NDH troops had around 165 killed and wounded.

Order of Battle

Allies

Axis

Aftermath

32nd Division escaped encirclement and returned to Moslavina.

Reference

32. divizija NOVJ