5th Corps (2nd Bosnian Corps)

5th Corps of Yugoslav Partisans

(Peti korpus NOVJ)

(2nd Bosnian People's Liberation Assault Corps)
(Drugi bosanski narodnooslobodilaÄki udarni korpus)

History

Formed on 11 May 1943 as 2nd Bosnian Corps by 1st Bosnian Corps which together with 5th Division was ordered to move to eastern Bosnia. Virtually all units of 1st become units of 2nd Corps including 4th, 10th and 11th Krajina divisions a total of around 7500 soldiers. Immediately after forming 2nd Corps found its area of operation covered by four German divisions 369th, 373rd, 114th and 7th SS securing communications towards the sea and exploitation of mineral resources which together with NDH forces and local Chetniks had over 160 000 soldiers. This forced Partisans switch their tactics back to the guerrilla warfare and avoid open battles which were common prior to operation WEISS.

Directive of 2nd Bosnian Corps from 1 June 1943 called for dispersal of its forces in order to force enemy to disperse his allowing easier ambushes and eliminations of minor strongholds. Only against Chetniks was frontal assault and pursuit until annihilation to take place since they were inferior in numbers and had to relay on nearby German, Italian or NDH garrisons for support and ammunition supplies.

Renamed as 5th Corps on 5 October 1943. Fought in Bosnia, carried out Banja Luka operation, participated in Seventh offensive: Drvar and in the final liberation of many places in western and central Bosnia. Disbanded on 22 April 1945 and division entered 2nd Army.

Battles & Campaigns

Operation PFINGSTEN

Staff

Commander

Slavko RodiÄ‡

Political Commissar

Veljo StojniÄ‡

Reference

Vojni leksikon