26th Dalmatian Division of Yugoslav Partisans

26th Dalmatian Division

(DvadesetÅ¡eta dalmatinska divizija)

Organization

Formed on 7 October 1943 with 3800 soldiers divided into three brigades:

11th Dalmatian Brigade

12th Dalmatian Brigade

13th Dalmatian Brigade

In January 1944 the 13th Dalmatian Brigade left while 1st Dalmatian Brigade joined the division, followed in March by the 3rd Overseas Brigade.

One reports lists division strength at 8504 soldiers out of which:

2593 workers

4664 peasants

150

6267 Croats

181 Serbs

65 Muslims

25 Jews

equipped with:

5086 rifles

1429 submachine-guns

379 light machine-guns

19 medium machine-guns

30 heavy machine-guns

41 light mortars

49 heavy mortars

1349 pistols

19131 hand grandees

26 anti-tank rifles

96 motor vehicles (62 trucks)

780 horses and mules

By September 1944 constantly reinforced from mainland and Yugoslav partisan bases in Italy division strength reached impressive (for partisan standards) 12000 soldiers. During entire war division was part of Yugoslav Partisans 8th Corps which on 2nd March 1945 was reorganized as 4th Army of Yugoslav Army.

History

Until end of 1943, 26th division fought defensive operations in Makarska littoral (Operation LANDSTURM), on the Peljesac Peninsula and on Korcula island (Operation HERBSTGEWITTER I and II) against German forces advancing into Dalmatia after capitulation of Italy. By 1944 only Vis island remained unoccupied and divisions task become its defense against later canceled German invasion (Operation FREISCHÃœTZ) together with British 2. SS brigade also stationed on Vis which was turned into large naval-air base both for Yugoslav Partisans and Allies.

During Vis period 26th Dalmatian division carried out several seaborne landings on Dalmatian islands either alone or jointly with Allies (Royal Navy Commandos, US Recon team etc.):

Hvar - Operation ENDOWMENT

Mljet - diversionary raid while primary KorÄula raid was carried out

KorÄula - highly successful raid which received praises from Allied commander in Mediterranean

Å olta - failed to eliminate fortified garrison

BraÄ - Operation FLOUNCED

During September with Soviet troops arriving at prewar Yugoslav border and Germans starting retreat from Greece 8th Corps went on offensive to liberate central Dalmatian islands and landed in September 1944 on Peljesac Peninsula. Together with the 29th Herzegovina Division, 26th division badly mauled the 369th Devil's Division near Vukov Klanac. Later took part in the battles for the Dalmatian coast and the town of Sibenik. It distinguished itself in the Knin operation and in the Mostar operation. In the final battles of the war, the division liberated Bihac, Gospic, Senj and Krk island and was also involved in battles near Klana and Ilirska Bistrica.

Staff

Commander

Nikola MartinoviÄ‡

BoÅ¾o BoÅ¾oviÄ‡

Political Commissar

DuÅ¡an KoraÄ‡

Chief of Staff

Ante Toni BioÄiÄ‡

Bogdan Stupar

Battles & Campaigns

Operation WEISS

Operation SCHWARZ

Operation GEISERICH

Operation LANDSTURM

Operation ENDOWMENT

Operation FLOUNCED

Operation HERBSTGEWITTER 1944

Operation SEYDLITZ

Operation EISBÃ„R

Operation KRANICH

Knin operation

Mostar operation

Trst (Trieste) operation

Reference

Vojni Leksikon

Vojna Enciklopedija

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