9th Dalmatian Assault brigade of Yugoslav Partisans

9th Dalmatian Assault brigade

(9. dalmatinska udarna brigada - trogirska)

History

Yugoslav Partisans Trogir brigade was formed from 10 to 15 September 1943 with 1200 soldiers in 4 battalions, support and signal platoon. Around 80 officers come from Å ibenik-Trogir partisan detachment, while Split partisan detachment give its 3rd Battalion which become brigades 1st Battalion.

Baptism of fire for brigade come on 24 September when 3rd Engineer Company and Field Company of the Replacement Battalion from German 741st Regiment, supported by armored train and artillery begun their attack from DrniÅ¡ in direction of Trogir and Split run into defensive position of 1st Battalion at BogoÄin and 2nd Battalion.

With fall of Split commanders of Trogir and Å ibenik brigade decided to withdraw across the sea to island of BraÄ. After 8 days used for rest and reorganization brigade was returned back to PrimoÅ¡ten-Rogoznica sector which Germans abandoned beacuse of lack of troops need for landings on islands around Å ibenik.

.

On 7 October 1943, Trogir brigade becomes part of 20th Dalmatian division and is named 9th Dalmatian brigade.
In March 1944 brigade strength was at 631 out of which less then 500 were present, equipped with:

477 rifles

65 light machine-guns

6 heavy machine-guns

4 anti-tank rifles

1 light mortars

3 heavy mortars

On 31 December 1944 brigade had strength of 1620 out of which 1250 were present with 91 sick or wounded in brigade hospital equipped with:

991 rifles

600 Mauser type

369 Italian

17 Manliher

7 British

111 light machine-guns

42 British Bren

35 Italian Breda

27 MG-34/42

6 Czech zbrojovka

1 Polish

15 heavy machine-guns Breda

12 light mortars

12 heavy mortars

6 PIAT

3 anti-tank rifles

1 bazooka

107 submachine guns

83 British type

8 German

7 Italian

6 Ustasha

4 Russian

118 pistols

52 German

33 Italian

23 Yugoslav

2 Spanish

1 British

1 US colt

1 Belgian

5 other

16 anti-tank land mines

15 British type

1 German

10 kg of Ecrasite explosive

.

Staff

Brigade Commander

Branko Dude

Vlado Pezelj

Political Commissar

Nikola RepaniÄ‡ Gandi

Vicko Grgin

Deputy Commander

Deputy Political Commissar

Chief of Staff

Operational officer

Battles & Campaigns

Operation HEIFISCH

References