392nd (Croatian) Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

The 392nd ( Croat ) Infantry Division, also Blue Division (Croatian Plava divizija ), was a major unit of the Wehrmacht, which as part of the so-called " Croatian Legion ," with soldiers from the Independent State of Croatia ( NDH ) manned and by German officers was performed. It was erected in 1943, used from 1944 in the fight against Tito 's Partisans and 1945 wiped out.

History

As the last of three German - Croatian Infantry divisions of the so-called " Croatian Legion" the 392nd Division was set up in August 1943 in Döllersheim in Lower Austria. It consisted of 8500 Croatian soldiers who were led by German officers and sergeants 3500. Were worn Wehrmacht uniforms with Croatian coat of arms on the right sleeve. The first and only division commander was Johann Mickl.

Initially, they should be used on the Eastern Front; useful but they seemed in the guerrilla struggle in the Balkans. Since January 1944 in use, they purged the island of Korcula by partisans and defended the northern Adriatic coast and Lika. In this mountainous hinterland of Croatia Mickl fell in the ambush of a partisan.

Disillusioned by the military situation, and egged on by Josip Broz Tito's agents who promised defectors amnesty began from September 1944 Croatian teams, mass desertion and mutiny.

The Division should LXXXXVII. Army Corps z.b.V. support, the 188th Mountain Division and 237th Infantry Division were included in Rijeka. When they arrived, but already many Croats had deserted or laid off. With the remaining 3,000 men, the 392nd Division should be moved north to Klagenfurt. When the breakthrough failed, ordered Colonel General Alexander Loehr as commander of Army Group E on 5 May 1945 surrender. The partisans took part in the area between Rijeka and Ilirska Bistrica. At the time, the remaining Croats and still fighting units of the Italian Social Republic were released from the division. During some days it was to return home the disarmed Germans allowed; on May 12, 1945, but were fixed as prisoners of war. From the captured Croats many Yugoslav reprisals such as the massacres of lead castle fell victim.