8th Dalmatian Corps of NOVJ

8th Dalmatian Corps of NOVJ

(Osmi dalmatinski udarni korpus NOVJ)

History

Eighth corps of Yugoslav partisans was formed on 7 October 1943 from the 9th, 19th, 20th and 26th Dalmatian divisions and 12 Partisan detachments: Northern Dalmatian, Knin, Dinara, MoseÄ‡-Svilaj, Seget-Marin, Mosor, Makarska, Imotski, Neretva, Grahovo-Peulj, GlamoÄ and Livno partisan detachments. It also had temporary operational and organizational command over Partisan Navy.

First commander was Pavle IliÄ‡ and political commissar Ivan KukoÄ. Vlado Ä†etkoviÄ‡ become commander on 15 December 1943 and BoÅ¡ko Å iljegoviÄ‡ new political commissar on 25 January 1944. After Ä†etkoviÄ‡ death on 21 October 1944, Major General Petar DrapÅ¡in become commander on 31 October.

Fought in Dalmatia, part of Istra and western Bosnia. From 1 September to 9 December 1944, Eighth corps liberated Dalmatia suffering 1115 dead and 5010 wounded while inflicting 13000 dead and 9800 captured on the enemy and capturing 236 artillery pieces, 176 mortars, 531 machine-guns, 12950 rifles and other equipment. After mobilization corps strength reached 35000 soldiers at the end of December 1944.

At the beginning of February 1945, 8th corps liberated Å iroki Brijeg and Mostar. At the beginning of March 1945, now 45524 soldiers strong, it become part of 4th Army. It was twice praised by Tito for its performance in combat and received honorary title Assault (udarni).

Staff

Commanders

Pavle IliÄ‡

Political Commissar

Ivo KukoÄ

Battles & Campaigns

Operation ZIETHEN

Operation HERBSTGEWITTER

Operation EMIL

Operation HANDSTAND

Operation WIKINGER

Operation PESTBEULE

Operation VIGNETTE

Operation HERBSTGEWITTER (1944)

Split operation

Knin operation

Mostar operation

Reference

Vojni leksikon

Vojna enciklopedija