The 369th Reinforced (Croatian) Infantry Regiment on the Eastern Front,
1941-1943.
Soon after Germany invaded the Soviet
Union, the leadership of the newly founded Independent
State of Croatia
expressed its desire to participate in this "crusade against Bolshevism". Hitler
approved the request and so the Croatian Legion, consisting of volunteers from
all three branches of the Croatian Armed Forces, was created. Its ground
component, the 369th Reinforced (Croatian) Infantry Regiment, was the first to
be formed.
The Croatian legionaries participated in some of the most famous
engagements of the Second World War, including the first battle of Kharkov, Operation
Fridericus, Plan Blau and finally the grim struggle for Stalingrad. The Regiment
was the only non-German unit to participate in the attack on Stalin's city...
the other allies were relegated to holding flanks. Initially, this was viewed as
a great honour, a reward for its sacrifices and successes, proof that the
Wehrmacht had full trust in the Regiment. However, this "honour" would demand
the ultimate price. Croatian blood soaked Stalingrad's soil and four months later the
unit's pitiful remnants were herded into captivity.
Two Croatian sergeants managed to preserve the regimental archive by
taking it with them on one of the last flights out of besieged Stalingrad. This unique
collection, which includes war diaries, daily orders, combat reports and award
recommendations, was the primary resource used to create this book. Additional
records from German and Russian archives complete the picture. The Regiment's
origins, formation, training and battles are examined in detail. Croatian
Legion: The 369th Reinforced (Croatian) Infantry Regiment on the Eastern Front,
1941-1943 offers a unique perspective of the fighting on the Eastern Front
through the eyes of a foreign volunteer unit.
* 600 pages *
290 photographs * 50 maps and sketches * 16 aerial photographs * 10 detailed
appendices, including officer biographies, casualties, medal lists,
etc.
