Division / has combed out the areas Bacuga - Blinja Komogovina - Jabuvac - with units / all villages are evacuated / there are no more installations / villages and fortified shelters in forward areas were destroyed / paragraph /...........1/cossak/division/ IA The next report is for December 8, the same addresses, the 15th Mountain Corps, which at that time was commanded by defendant Leyser:
II. Telephone communication center for / quote / Banja / quote / blown up railroad near point / 101 repaired / during reprisal measures 36 civilian suspects were arrested as hostages / /......1/ cossak/ division/
Then the report which was reported on the 7th December: at 0855:
12 Km northwest of Sisak empty train struck mine on water bridge / and it gives the map coordinance, bridge destroyed / restoration probably by noon on 8/ 12/ local safety ensured by units of regional defense company / company / of Croatian / railroad / guard / Battalion/VI // reprisal measures will be carried out on 8/12/. That is tomorrow, the 8th December, "By I/ R/ R /1 From Potrinja to Sela and Greda/ //
Own losses on 7/ 12/ amounted to 9 dead/// among them 1 German and 1 Cossak / officer/ /// 24 wounded among them 1 German and 1 Cossak / officer and 2 missing / 4 prisoners were taken/ //.................intentions for 8/ 12/ holding of the blockade line ///reenforced reconnaissance in Glika ---- Potrinja area /// reprisal action against Greda /
Then turning to page 6 in both the German and English Document Books, NOKW 1399, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 365 in evidence.
These are Daily Reports from the 15th Mountain Corps commanded by the defendant Leyser, to the 2nd Panzer Army, which is the unit at this time commanded by the defendant Rendulic, dated 17 December 1943 one of the subordinate units to the 15th Mountain Corps, also in Croatia:
Temporary blasting of railroad. "Then comes the location." Blocked until 17 December by the removal of 400 meters of railway lines. In both cases hostages were taken and the nearest houses burned down as reprisal.
And then one of the 16th of December for the 2nd Panzer Army again a supplementary report to the report of the 15th:
114th Jaeger Division: Again one of the subordinate units to the 15th Mountain Corps. Enemy in front of "Ziethen" continues to defend toughly the approaches to Kupres and Glemoc with the 1st Proletarian and 9th Division along line: 4 kilometers northeast, and more indication of their position. The destruction of Kupres confirmed by aerial reconnaissance; 49 counted enemy dead: 18 prisoners; 16 deserters.
I would like to call your attention to the use of that term "deserters" in passing, and we shall see it as we go further. And in reference to the term deserters;
"a part of them with pack animals and weapons. Parts of the 19th Division Grahove threw a Cetnik group 14 kilometers north northeast of Knin to the south (50 enemy dead according to statements of prisoners.) Area around Strmica and north of Plavno (14 kilometers north northwest of Knin) occupied by bands. These advances present a threat to Knin and to the supply road near Zrmanja Vrelo. During reconnaissance of the booty camp northeast of Ervenik (see Daily Report 12 December) a middle sized band was attacked (10 enemy dead, 15 prisoners). Rest in Velebit.
The entire ammunition of different kinds (9 tons) blownup on account of lack of transportation space; 3 places northeast of Ervenik, which were friendly towards the bands destroyed; at the same time numerous detonations in the houses.
And again this as the prior one and as all the rest of these just has typed "15th Mountain Corps". However, the signature over to the left of the gentleman named "Pfafferott" with whom we have had some familiarity before, appears on these documents, and it is his signature.
And again on the 11 December:
373rd (Croatian) Infantry Division West of Srb medium sized band thrown to the west by own operation.
Communist local committee near Udbina silenced by Cetniks. Strong band (II Brigade 8th Division) withdraws from east of Slunj across the Korana to the south. 5 kilometers northwest of Bos. Novi own reconnaissance shot at by machine gun and trench mortars; after reinforcement the terrain was mopped up. The railway line of Bos. Novi was blasted three times. Reprisal measures started.
South of Prijedo the enemy (600 with 4 machine guns, 4 trench mortars and 1 light gun) thrown back to the south by own operation.
And then another reference to the enemy believed thrown back.
Then if Your Honors will note a note to "Security Service (SD), and "Infantry Division", with an illegible initial thereafter, and again signed the 15th Mountain Corps, and there is an illegible signature to the left.
Then the report for the 9th. I should like to call Your Honors attention here to the fact that there is an information copy going to the V SS Mountain Corps, which was a collateral unit. The V SS Mountain Corps was at this time also subordinated to the commander of the II. Panzer Army Commander Rendulic. It is interesting to know that the report in addition to going to a higher division goes laterally.
Again the 1st Cossack Division:
1st Cossak Division Movement of medium sized bands from 10 kilometers southwest to 12 kilometers northwest of Glina (well known assembly area of bands). Enemy supply column had losses by own artillery fire 7 kilometers northwest of Glina.
Enemy garrison south and southeast of Glina unchanged. Weak band raided Cossack patrol 6 kilometers southwest of Petrinja. 22 dead, 3 prisoners, 12 deserters. (Again we have the use of the term deserters.) 36 hostages arrested for destruction of line northwest of Sisak.
Booty: South of Fojnic Italian ammunition dump." And again, "XV Mountain Corps".
Turning to Page 9 in the German and page 9 of the English copy, NOKW 728, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 366 in evidence. The first part of this is a teletype, completely in teletype, and the second half on a teletype blank, but is completely in handwriting, and I pass it up for Your Honors to inspect. This is dated December 17, 1943. It is from the 373rd Infantry Division, and it is the report for that day. This infantry division, of course, is the same as the 373rd Croatian Division to its superior headquarters, 15th Mountain Corps, which at that time was commanded by the defendant Leyser.
On page 9 of the German and page 10 of the English:
Reconnaissance from Bos. Novi to the southwest in area north of Una without enemy. Line blown up 6 kilometers south of Bos. Novi was repaired in a short time. (That is the one they spoke of in the other report) The line open again to traffic on 16 December. 2 hostages were taken 2 houses were burned down in reprisal.
And then for the Area Prijeder:
During the night from 15 to 16 December 400 meters of railway tracks removed by bandits near Dragotinja. The line will again be open to traffic on 17 December. Reinforcement of night patrols was ordered. Nearby houses were burned down in reprisal.
This concludes that pert of the report, and then turning to the handwritten part which starts on 11 of the German and 11 of the English, this is for 18 December 1943, again to the 15th Mountain Corps, and again from the 373 Infantry Division:
"Intermediate report Panther, the areas ordered to be combed through were combed according to plans.
Ambush near D A H I C I (Leskovac):
I Italian captured. 3 bandits shot, 3 wounded (Observed) Leskovac and Ravlovica are burning. Operation against 40 bandits without success. A bandit who made a false report was shot to death.
Large transit traffic of bands Vrnograd toward the west.
Husko Contact with the enemy near Masvina. 5 prisoners captured. Some cattle and hay was seized.
Intention: For the next day - Reconnaissance, mopping up and placing of ambushes."
There is a certification and an illegible signature.
Then on page 13 of both texts, Document NOKW 1331, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 367 in evidence. These are reports from the 15th Corps to the 2nd Panzer Army, and the units are still commanded by the same individuals, the defendants Leyser and Rendulic.
These again are all typewritten except for the signatures of "Pfafferett" which again appears on the left on some of the reports, and there are one or two illegible signatures. The first one, 2nd Panzer Army, 2 November. The handwritten note up here, "1940" should be "0940". Perhaps Dr. Fritsch would like to come up and look at it. Would you like to come up here and look at it so that I can correct one of the copies?
It is a daily report for the 2 November, and on page 13 of the English, --- of the German , and 14 of the English:
"373rd Division:
Train Bihac - Bos. Novi near Blatna (5 kilometers northeast of Otoka) ran on a mine in spite of previous reconnaissance. 5 soldiers, 10 civilians dead, 4 soldiers and 4 civilians wounded, 3 cars completely destroyed. Houses from which the mine was detonated by means of a wire were burned down. Reconnaissance in the rest of the area without special events."
It is from Corps Headquarters, XV Mountain Corps."
The signature which appears over at the left is that of, "Pfafferett", and in the copy which has been offered in evidence for your Honors' information, apparently it has been improperly placed on here, - at least it is not on the copy, and we withdraw the words, "very urgent" which appear out on the margin at the left.
Then for the 6th of November, -- and here the report goes to the 2nd Panzer Army, the Fliegerfuehrer Croatia, German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, IIIrd SS Panzer Corps, --- this unit id down here just for a short time, but this is another SS corps in the area, -- and the V SS Mountain Corps, with which we have had some familiarity before.
Again from the 373rd Division:
"Brezovac was taken by parts of the 373rd Reconnaisance Detachment in spite of weak enemy resistance from Mazin.
26 civilians band suspects (Communist committee) were arrested.
As reprisal measure for the blasting of the railroad near Blatna 5 civilians were arrested and 12 houses were burned down."
Again typed, "Corps Headquarters XV Mountain Corps", and the signature to the left, "Pfefferott".
For the 9th of November, to the 2nd Panzer Army, again copies to the Fliegerfuehrer Croatia, the German General-Plenipotentiary in Croatia, III SS Panzer Corps, V SS Mountain Corps:
"Supplement to the Daily Report of 9 November 1943", for the 114th Division, one of the divisions subordinate to the XV Mountain Corps, at this time commanded by the defendant Leyser:
The combat group Muenchhausen made a surprise thrust in to the area 25 kilometers east of Banga Luka. By means of strategm 2 band leaders taken care of, good effect of fire on bands fleeing en masse. Enemy losses estimated at a minimum of 100, own losses none."
It is typed, "XV Mountain Corps, Corps Headquarters" and to the left there is an illegible signature, and on the English it is: "Satisfactorily taken care of" in handwriting, and the signature which is illegible, I believe that is left off the German. However , perhaps Dr. Fritsch will see whether or not it is there.
The next communication is for the 5 December 1943 --
DR. FRITSCH: I also am unable to road the name, but there is a handwritten note here, which is indistinct.
MR. DENNEY: I cannot either, your Honors.
DR. FRITSCH: Neither can I; I do not know either what it is supposed to say.
MR. DENNEY: Then in the daily report, of 5 December, which appears at the bottom of page 15 of the German, it is where the addresses appear, and it is on 16 of the English. The addresses carry over to the 16th page in the German they are the same we have seen before, so far as the Corps Headquarters are concerned, less the III SS Panzer Corps, but here again are the units and the 3 divisions, the 1st Cossack, the 373rd Infantry and 371st.
Then for the 114th Infantry Division:
"114th Division:
The heights 5 kilometers south of Ervenik, northwest of Knin and Mokro Polje strongly occupied by the enemy. Enemy movements continue in the area 11 southeast of Gracac. In the area Osredci". Then it gives the location --"band patrols dispersed. 6 enemy dead, 1 prisoner. Attempt by night on bridge Medak" -then it gives the location, "prevented by Ustascha. 6 bandits dead, 5 prisoners, 4 boxes of explosives, Own fighter Detachment and Cetniks 8 kilometers southeast of Velika threw medium band towards the east, 15 enemy dead, 15 prisoners, 1 deserter" ---- again employing the use of the term "deserter" --- "1 own wounded. In the area Muz rather weak resistance broken. 14 bandits shot to death according to martial law. Total enemy losses 44 dead, 23 prisoners, 1 deserter. Own losses, 1 wounded , 6 Cetniks wounded. Booty: 3 trucks, 2 motor buses, 4 automobiles, 1 boxed motor bike (all not drivable as parts have been withdrawn".
And this again has at the end. of it, typed, "XV Mountain Corps," and there is an illegible signature over at the left.
Then on page 17 of the English and German, again directed to the 2nd Panzer Army, again coming from XV Corps, -- and this, of course is to be noted in addition, because of the fact that here the XV Corps is reporting the first Cossack Division on up to the 2nd Panzer Army, --- so it is at least to be reasonably assumed that at some time prior to this, they were transferred from the 69th Corps to the XV Mountain Corps. As I said, we do not have the order, but we have seen earlier several instances of this Cossack Division reporting itself to the XV Mountain Corps, -
Unless there be some allegation that it was a mistake, while here we see for the purposes of these reports, the XV Mountain Corps reporting on up to the 2nd Panzer Army, with reference to the 1st Cossack Division:
"The obstacle line Kostajnica - Sunja - Save ordered for "Panther" occupied, up until now no contact with the enemy. At 0855 hours an empty train ran on to a mine on the bridge 12 kilometers northwest of Sisak, bridge destroyed. Probably repaired by 8 December at noon. Own losses on 7 December: 9 dead, 24 wounded, 2 missing. Enemy losses according to own determination -- 100; according to the report of confidential agent, 180 -- 200 men, 4 prisoners.
Then their intentions:
"To hold the obstacle line, to intensify reconnaissance in the area Glina -Petrinja. Reprisal operation for blasting of railroad."
Then, of course, if we turn back to the earlier report, the 1st Cossack Division, we have reporting this same information up to the XV Corps. It is on page 4 of the English, which is part of Exhibit No. 364.
Then for the 9 December, again to the 2nd Panzer Army, Fliegerfuehrer in Croatia and the German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, Branch Office III, the SS Panzer Corps, and the V SS Mountain Corps, and then some further indications over on the right, to the various divisions, these of course, being the divisions which were subordinated to the XV Corps.
Daily report of the 1st Cossack Division:
"Patrol skirmish in area Glina - Gora. 36 hostages taken for blasting of lines".
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: We will take our afternoon recess.
...
THE MARSHAL: The persons in the Courtroom will be seated.
The Tribunal is again in session.
MR. DENNEY: And again page 19 of the German and 19 of the English, for the 11th of December in the Second Panzer Army commanded by the defendant Layser with reference to the 373rd Infantry Division, a report for 11 December, still in Document NOKW-1331, Prosecution Exhibit 367.
"Operation Panzer Jaeger Battalion 373 in the area west of D. Srb encountered a band which was repulsed. 13 enemy dead, (1 commissar).." again referring to Commissars in the reports "....2 prisoners...." and again the mention of "(1 commissar)." "Booty, 10 rifles, 1 machine gun and documents. No losses of our arms. Operation of Reconnaissance Battalion 373 for reconnaissance of bridge near Vojnici, strong machine gun and trench mortar fire. Railway bridge south of Otoka rebuilt . . . . . As reprisal measure houses burned down, taking of hostages ordered, Croatian Sector Commander taken to account! Operation South of Prijedor, with 2 reinforced Battalions and tanks repulsed strong enemy with heavy weapons (4 medium trench mortars, 1 light gun). 42 enemy dead, 3 own dead, 7 wounded, tank total loss (ran onto mine).
"In the night of the 9-10 December the Cetniks raided a Communist local committee in Seliste, 2 bandits shot, 2 escaped."
Again this is from the reports of the Cossack Division which arc in Document 264, and the signature at the left is that of Pfaferott.
Then for the 15th, same addressee, and the same sender. For the 114th Division:
"During the capture of booty depot northeast of Ervenik on 12 December 10 enemy dead, 15 prisoners..." And again the reference to "nine tons of captured ammunitions of different kind" which were referred to in the earlier reports. "Villages friendly towards the bands in area 20 kilometers north-west of Knin burned down, occasioning numerous detonations caused by hidden ammunition. 300 head of cattle and 200 sheep and goats captured.
Own losses: 6 dead, 10 wounded, 49 enemy dead (the number is presumably higher). According to statements of prisoners 50 alone north of Knin, 18 prisoners, 16 deserters..." and again they cite deserters. However, this is the same report as was contained earlier to the XVth Corps, in the prior exhibit.
"Booty, 1 rigle, 1 pistol, 6 horses, 2 pack animals, enemy documents, 8 cows, 54 sheep."
For the 15th of December, again to the same addressee, the 2nd Panzer Army and others, and again from the XVth Mountain Corps, for the 373rd Division, one of the subordinate units to the defendant Leyser.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General line reached 16 kilometers north of Bos. Novi behind enemy withdrawing toward the north. On the left wing strong enemy resistance. The group Ristow fought off several enemy attacks from the west. Hussar Detachment is attacking a band 400 men strong in the area 20 kilometers west northwest of Cazin. On 16 December 2 dead (Germans, 1 officer), 6 wounded (1 German officer). Enemy losses: since the beginning of operation "Panther": 15 dead, 25 wounded, 41 prisoners, 6 deserters, 34 rifles, 7 machine guns, 2 trench mortars, morta ammunition.
There again the reference to deserters.
Intention: Combing of Samarica towards the north.
In the rest of the area of the Division, during powerful reconnaissance at 0 D. Srb Skirmish with medium sized band which retreated in the mist. 4 of own wounded. Blasting of the line south of Bos, Novi repaired in short time. 2 hostages taken, 2 houses burned down. In the area Prijedor 400 meters of railway rails torn up by bandits 18 kilometers east of Bos. Novi. The line ready for traffic again on 17 December. As reprisal measure houses burned down.
And again we have the XVth Mountain Corps passing up the report of its division which was seen in the earlier document in this book.
Then on the 21st, again to the defendant Rendulic's 2nd Panzer Army and the defendant Leyser's XVth Corps, 264th Division.
..... Medium seized band in English uniform transferred from Brac and Vis to area south of Primosten confirmed. Report about renewed assembly of band on island Uljan not confirmed.
..........
..... 371st Division:
In mopping up Samarica 2 bandits shot to death, 2 German field kitchens, 5 supply depots, 1 small field bakery, 60 tons of food supplies, alcohol, office supplies, light trench mortar ammunition captured, 1 own wounded."
And the signature over at the left hand, "Pfafferott."
And typed at the right, "WVth Mountain Corps." Then there is an enclosure to the War Diary No. K-3 which is dated 5 November 1943 and this is. entitled "Subjects of Conversation Between the Commander-in-Chief of the 2nd Panzer Army and the Commanding General." And of course this is defendant Rendulic, the Commander-in-Chief of the 2nd Panzer Army and Leyser is the Commanding General of the XVth Corps, and then apparently they had a conversation at Banja Luka. There are several others listed here, but this is the only one it reviews. This is number six.
"The certain possession of Banja Luka must also be guaranteed after the Corps Staff has left. The Commander-in-Chief...." It is submitted the defendant Rendulic, ".... made a proposal to shoot immediately a rather large number (1000) of band suspects and to arrest a further 1000 hostages." And then there is a note that -- there is a reference to a conversation between the Fuehrer, who was Adolf Hitler, and the Commander-in-Chief of the 16th of September, 1943.
It is submitted there that the Commander-in-Chief again refers to the defendant Rendulic. Turning now to page 25 in the English, 25 in the German and 27 in the English, we have Document 1375 which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit 368.
This document is typewritten and bears at the end of it typed "XVth Mountain Corps Ic" and is an enclosure to communication of 2 December 1943. It is entitled "Enemy News Sheet". The area Kordun and Banija, preliminary remarks.
"Enemy News Sheet: Area: Kordun and Nanija.
"Preliminary Remarks: The entire area has the decided characteristics of a central chain of mountains. The Kordun is only partially covered with forests, and therefore often allows a very wide survey. The Banija is predominantly wooded. Numerous deep ravines make traffic very difficult away from the larger roads. The population is mainly pro-slavic and friendly toward the bands, and usually flees from the villages when soldiers approach, and, "II) Enemy Forces:
A band Brigade corresponds on the average in strength to a battalion," and it is submitted they are speaking of a German Battalion, "A Band Division to a Regiment." And, it is submitted, they are speaking of a German Regiment.
"The fighting power of the units has gone down considerably in the last months on account of the calling to the colors of draftees, Croatian deserters and prisoners of war, but is very high iu individual units, and the next word is illegible ...
"is subordinated to the Main Staff Croatia (Commander Gosnjak, Political Commissar Bakaric," and I again direct the courts' attention to the use of that term.
"Bakaric, Chief of Staff Terzic, Chief of the Operations Department (la) Crescanin. Subordinated to him is the IV Corps, the Staff of which is located in Kordun, probably near Primislje."
And they give the name of the leader and again the name of the political Commissar who is attached to the staff of the IV Corps, the Enemy News Officer, and then they recite that the 7th, 8th and 13th Divisions are part of the IV Corps, and, "The 8th Division is as a rule designated as the Kordun Division, the 7th as the Banija Division.
In the same manner, the brigades of the divisions bear the designation 'Kordun' or 'Banija-Brigade', sometimes using the number within the division, sometimes using the previous number from the time before the division was established.
"8th Division: Part of the IV Corps. As headquarters of the staff, the following places were named in November: Budacki, Dunjac, and Leskovac, 16 kilometers northwest of Cazin."
And again they give the names of the Commander and the name of the political Commissar of this Division and there again we have them referring to the political Commissar in the staff, Chief of Staff, Operations officer and then the Composition. This 8th Division has 3 Brigades and 1 Mountain Artillery Detachment, as well as I convoy Battalion (which is a battalion armed with heavy trench mortars and heavy machine guns). And, the heavy arms of the division excluding those of the brigade, according to statements of prisoners: 2 canons, 4 mountain guns, 10 anti-tank guns, 4 heavy trench mortars, 1 big Italian tank armed with 2 guns, 2 small Italian tanks.
And, they give the name of the Commander of the Artillery Detachment, and the units: 1 Brigade (of the 8th Division - IVth Croatian Brigade) also designated as 1st Kordun or as IVth Lika-Brigade.
They give area of operations, the Commander, his deputy, again the political Commissar, and also the deputy political Commissar, and the 1c and than the strength report: According to statements of prisoners: 4 battalions total strength, about 950 to 1,200 men.
Heavy Arms: Each battalion has 3 heavy machine guns, 2 light machine guns; each company, 3 light machine guns. The heavy trench mortar and the two guns of this brigade arc presumed to have been assigned to it temporarily from the division.
They give the Commander and the political Commissar of of the battalion for the 1st , 2nd 3rd and 4th; and then, on the 25th, the strength of the 4th battalion was 337 man, 80 of whom were on leave at home. That refers of course to the 25th of August, and the 2nd Brigade, --- oh, before that -- the 1st battalion is said to have available a mounted platoon, and the 2nd brigade which is the Vth Croatian Kordun Brigade, and the area which they operate, their Commander, political commissar, and the composition, it has 3 battalions. The strength of the battalions on 1 November at one o'clock on the 17 November 1,200. Armament: (According to reports of confidential agents) - 4 heavy trench mortars, 7 heavy machine guns, many light machine guns. And they give the names of the three battalions which are included within the brigade, and then they give the commander and political commissar of the battalion for the 1st and 2nd Battalions; the 1st, they list some names without indicating what they are and the 2nd they list one as a political commissar. In the 3rd brigade, the XV Croatian Brigade, they give their area and Commander; again the political commissar, their strength, estimated at 1,100 men, their armament: 4 mountain guns, 1 antiaircraft machine gun, 2 anti-tank rifles, 12 to 14 heavy machine guns, 3 to 7 heavy trench mortars. The 2 to 4 howitzers of this brigade often mentioned probably belong to the Artillery Detachment of the 8th Division. Commander and political commissar of the 3rd battalion according to out-of-date reports, and it gives the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and then lists the convoy company and gives the names of the commander and political commissar there, the units above being of course the 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies in addition to the convoy company.
Then the Plaski Detachment, last at Leskovac, and they give its last location, the names of the commander, the political commissar, the estimated strength: 400 men (2 battalions); 1st battalion, then they give the name of the political Commissar, and their armament, allegedly, 2 heavy machine guns, 4 light machine guns, 1 trench mortar.
The 2nd battalion, which is called Terenski-battalion, gives the name of the commander, that is, 3 companies each of which have 85 men and allegedly one heavy trench mortar, 1 Italian mountain gun, 1 anti-tank gun, 1 light and 3 heavy machine guns.
The Kordun Detachment, formerly designated as 1st order of the Operations Group Una, presumably in the area southwest and south of Petrova Gora.
Commander: Karas?
Deputy: Kreca, Pero.
Strength: 3 battalions together 500 to 600 men, fighting value small, IIIrd battalion, according to list of 3 June 1943, 225 men.
In addition, confidential agents of the Branch Office mention in this area the so-called anti-5th column battalion which supposedly was used against Cetniks only. No confirmation, probably identical with the Kordun Detachment.
The total strength of the 8th Division is estimated (on 15 November) by the Croatian General Staff at 4200 men, this estimate is probably a little too high for the Division alone, counting in the mountain Detachments, too low.
Then they go into the 7th Division, a part of the IV Corps which we spoke of earlier. It speaks of their staff, being a commander who is a professor from Uzice, and they name the political commissar who is a teacher from Borojevici. They also list the deputy political commissar who was a student from Petrinja. They list the Chief of Staff who was a former Yugoslav Major and is now a General. Chief Administrative officer, who was a 2nd class captain in the Yugoslav Army.
"The Division consists of the VIIth and VIIIth Croatian Brigades of the old 7th Division returned from Montenegro and the 2 Brigades of the deactivated Operations Group Una, And, then they cite some places at which they had contacted this 2nd brigade of the deactivated Operations Group Una and, in addition Still a part of the 7th Division, 1 Artillery Detachment, 1 Engineer Detachment, 1 truck column and workshops.
The Engineer Detachment has available 1 ferry and 3 pontoons. The Artillery Detachment (without the heavy arms of the Brigade) has 4 Italian anti-tank guns, 1 Croatian anti-tank gun, 2 mountain guns, 3 heavy trench mortars and the 4 guns captured in Cazin. A convoy battalion of the staff is in possession of the heavy machine guns.
In addition, every brigade has at least 2 heavy trench mortars and 4 heavy machine guns.
The Brigade. is armed with 1 anti-tank gun, 4 heavy, Of the 1st brigade they list the commander, the deputy commander, and the political commissar with the note that he was replaced by someone else with a question mark after it; Chief of Staff, and then the political department, strength of 600 and 700 men and the commander of the various companies in the brigade, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and they list the political commissars for the 2nd and 4th.
"The Brigade is armed with 1 anti-tank gun, 4 heavy and several light trench mortars, several heavy machine guns, 24 light machine guns, ---"
These figures all according to prisoners taken on 16 November.
Then the 2nd brigade which is the VIII Croatian Brigade also the VIII Kordun Brigade and lists commander and deputy and again we have reference to a political commissar, chief administrative officer, and then they have many listed as Joka, physician, veterinary, M.D. Babetko, who was a Czech and in the political department, 1st Battalion Commander, F Cavic, Simo, and the political commissar. Strength: 800.
They list their arms: 2 anti-tank guns, 6 heavy, 4 light trench mortars, 12 heavy, 50 light machine guns.
IIIrd Brigade, which was formerly IVth Banija Brigade, lists headquarters, commander, political commissar, strength of 900, 1st Battalion has a strength of 1,400 to 1,500 from statements of prisoners from this IVth Brigade and their armament: 2 anti-tank guns, 2 heavy trench mortars, 16 light trench mortars, 8 heavy, 60 light machine guns.
Then a little more information about this brigade:
Dispersed amongst this Brigade, there is an Einsatz Battalion of Jews from the Reich Autobahn concentration camp. This Battalion (consisting of 160 men) was formed in October under the leadership of the Yugoslav Captain of the Reserve, Aaron Kabiljo from Sarajevo. Banija Detachment composed of 3 Battalions, of which the 1st Battalion is usually situated around Zirovac, the IInd Battalion in the district Dvor around Vrpolje, the IIIrd Battalion northwest of Kostajnica.