The largest of these units was the 369th Croatian Reinforced Infantry Regiment of the Wehrmacht, which was commonly referred to as the Croatian Legion. It took part in the During the first few months in captivity, Legionnaire numbers were reduced from some 700 to around 400 odd survivors or a 40% loss of life in under twelve months. Regiment chose Communist Partisan service to avoid almost certain death in Soviet prisoner-of-war camps. Members of the Croatian Light Transport Regiment Legion wore an aluminum metal shield with the bold relief inscription "HRVATSKA" and the painted red checkerboards representing the coat-of-arms. NUOVA 15. In addition, to the Croatian regiment which fought at Stalingrad, there was a smaller Croatian unit integrated into the Italian 8th army, which fought on the river Don front-line. German Uniforms with a Chessboard shoulder badge with the word "HRVASKA" (CROATIA). metal with the Croatian national shield soldered in the center of the wings. badge that was awarded to Unteroffizier Dieter Bauer who was an air gunner in a bomber of the The regiment was raised from volunteers drawn from Croatia and was commonly referred to as the Croatian Legion. The squadrons were equipped respectively with Me109bf's and the Do17's. 369th Croatian Reinforced Infantry Regiment (Wehrmacht) - … 600 pages on a high-quality satin (semi-gloss) stock 290 photos 50 maps and sketches 16 aerial photos 10 detailed appendices, including officer biographies, casualties, medal lists, etc. sectors inside the surrounded perimeter at Stalingrad, especially fought with and assigned to the Croatian military units. The commander of the 100th Light Infantry Division, Generalleutnant Werner Sanne commended the regiments successes over the winter, especially the actions of Lieutenant Colonel Marko Mesics artillery battalion on 21–22 February 1942. The Pilot Wings was worn on the the Caucasus. The Legion badge was manufactured in the form of a linden leaf and on the side of their M-43 style German Cap. The Croatian Legion would see service primarily on the Eastern Front, with smaller forces supporting Italy until her capitulation. 369th Croatian Reinforced Infantry Regiment (Wehrmacht) The 369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment was a unit of the German Wehrmacht that fought on the Eastern Front in World War II. Cookies remember you so we can give you a better online experience. Badge for the Eastern Front. "HRVATSKA LEGIJA" (Croat Legion) Hitler approved the request and so the Croatian Legion, consisting of volunteers from all three branches of the Croatian Armed Forces, was created. Sergeant Dragutin Podobnik was awarded Iron Cross Second and First Class as well as many Croat decorations including one personally from Pavelic in September 1942 for his actions at Stalingrad. 2. Despite the harsh conditions, the German high command credited the regiment with maintaining proper and military bearing. This Wehrmacht (Heer) unit of Croatian volunteers was raised in July, 1941, for combat on the Eastern Front. The few remaining survivors were suspected and most were later convicted of being Soviet infiltrators by the partisans as well as Croat NDH authorities. Pavicic ordered a strategic building to be captured in the Red October factory, however the armored vehicle support was delayed. The Croatian Naval Legion Soon after Pavelic's call for Croatian volunteers to fight on the Eastern Front went out on July 2nd 1941, enough naval officers and men came forward to form the Croatian Naval Brigade. 1. From there, it spent several weeks marching on foot to the front line. The commanding officer was Lt.-Colonel Egon Zitnik (a Croat). right breast pocket.. During In April 1942 the regiment was sent to the eastern front and was attached to the Italian 3rd Rapid Division "Principe Amadeo Duca D'Aosta." Many died on the march due to starvation, hypothermia or disease. The previous night, several Luftwaffe planes had crashed attempting to take off land perilously close to fast-advancing Soviet forces, thus fewer planes flew in for rescue missions. Emedals and many other people have copys and they sell them, and make thats is orginaly. The 369th (Croatian) Infantry Division (German: 369. It saw action on the Eastern Front, most notably at Stalingrad. the other one formed of Bosnian Croats from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The regiment was formed with 1100 soldiers, 70 NCO's and 45 officers (1215 total), divided into 3 infantry companies, 1 machine-gun company, 1 (81mm) mortar company and 1 (65mm) artillery battery. More than 1000 legionnaires were evacuated from the Soviet Union and later Stalingrad by various means and for various reasons. By September 1941, the legion 1.Croatian Units on the Eastern Front: 1.1.: The 369th Reinforced (Croat) Infantry Regiment: This Wehrmacht (Heer) unit of Croatian volunteers was raised in July, 1941, for combat on the Eastern Front. In addition the legion had a staff company, an anti-tank company and a heavy weapons company, later an artillery group, with three batteries of 105mm guns, was added. Composite detachment of 13 TC is trying to assist the retreating Soviet rifle divisions, hitting the advancing enemy forces - 369 Croatian reinforced infantry regiment - from the flank. The During the day of 23 January Stalingradskaja airfield fell into Soviet hands. 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