WORLD WAR 2
Main page Introduction Bookshop
HOT STUFF!
Battles & Campaigns Chronology FORUM Links Site Map Updates
AXIS & ALLIES
Bulgaria Chetnik movement Germany Hungary Italy Kingdom of Yugoslavia Macedonia Montenegro NDH - Independent State of Croatia Serbia Slovenia Soviet Union United Kingdom United States Yugoslavia
WEAPONS 1941-45
Aircraft Armor Artillery Infantry weapons Radio
MORE INFO
Bibliography and sources Comparative chart of Ranks Concentration camps and Prisons Losses of population Glossary
MILITARY HISTORY
Biographies project Military history World War I Armed Forces
MORE
Gaming Sections
SUPPORT THIS SITE
On-line Store How can YOU help? Translation help needed Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Amazon.ca

Newest updates:
Operation FLORETT
97th Army Corps
Operation OSTERGLOCKE
Operation BERGGEIST
Operation STURM

Vojska.net

Promote Your Page Too

Login:
Password:


26th Dalmatian Division

(Dvadesetšeta 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. 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 8th Corps NOVJ 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 FREISCHÜTZ) 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 Korčula raid was carried out
  • Korčula - highly successful raid which received praises from Allied commander in Mediterranean
  • Šolta - failed to eliminate fortified garrison
  • Brač - Operation FLOUNCED

During September with Soviet troops arriving at prewar Yugoslav border and Germans starting retreat from Greece 8th Corps NOVJ 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.

References

  • Vojni Leksikon
  • Vojna Enciklopedija

This page is also available in the following languages:
• Srpskohrvatski •

Send in additions, new information's or corrections you have!
If you have updates, new info, you have found factual error, error in translation, grammar error or only simple typing error.  Please let us know! Fill in the form and send it back. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Name:

Email Address:

Comments: