40th Slavonian Division

40th Slavonian Division

(ÄŒetrdeseta slavonska divizija)

History

Yugoslav partisans Fortieth division was formed on 15 July 1944 from 16th Youth Brigade 'Joza Vlahovic' and 18th Slavonian Brigade with Virovitica brigade joining division on 24 August bringing division strength to around 4700 soldiers, by December division strength reached 6278 soldiers. Division was part of Yugoslav partisans 6th Corps until end of the war.

Together with other two divisions formed in Slavonia 12th and 28th, 40th division fought in the battles for Badljevina on 2 August, Koncanica on 9 August and Grubisno Polje on 18 August in Daruvar valley. Moving to region Slavonska Pozega in September and then back to Daruvar region liberating Pakrac and Lipik on 14 September followed by Daruvar on 16 September. Podravska Slatina was taken on 25 and 26 September and in October with units of the 10th Zagreb Corps NOVJ and the 12th Division NOVJ participated in liberation of Virovitica and Pitomaca. It was engaged in battles around Koprivnica 13 to 16 Ocotober.

On 2 December 1944 liberated Pleternica and for next few weeks fought battles on Virovitica bridgehead, linking up with 12th Corps which was advancing on other side of Drava river through Baranya.

On 30 January 1945 the division received the honorific title "Udarna" ("Assault"). While a regular front formed in Bosnia, Dalmatia and the Vojvodina, the division distinguished itself in attacks on retreating German and Croatian troops, which were pulling back from Syrmia Front (battles near Nasice and Podgoraca). During the final operations in Yugoslavia, the division was involved in the battles for Nasice, Vetovo and Kutjevo. Together with the it took Grubisno Polje and later took part in the pursuit of the enemy troops towards Krizevci - Hum - Lepoglava - Ptuj, Slovenia.

References

Vojni Leksikon

Vojna Enciklopedija

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