Part of the Anti-Partisan Operations in Croatia series by H.L. deZeng IV

Dates: 27 February – 3 March 1943. (1)

Objective: To engage and destroy Partisan concentrations in the Krndija and Dilj Mountains bordered by Podgorač – Našice – Čaglin – Levanjska Varoš.

Enemy Forces: 18th NO Brigade/4th (Slavonian) Division NOVJ and 2d NOP Detachment/3d Operations Zone.

Axis Forces:
German
II./Grenadier-Rgt. 741
Ers.Btl./Einsatzstaffel d. D.M.
Kp. “Sigmund”/Einsatzstaffel d. D.M.
Mot.Kp./Einsatzstaffel d. D.M. (as reserve)
Croatian
I, II and III Bn./4th Infantry Rgt.
III Bn./6th Infantry Rgt.
II Assault Bn.
I Bn./Air Force School Rgt.
3d Battr./IV Artillery Group
1st and 3d Battr./V Artillery Group
IV Engineer Bn. (½)
II Signal Bn.
II Bn./1st Recruit Rgt.
XV Ustasha Bn. (less two companies)
1st Co./XXV Ustasha Bn.
One Co. from XXXIX Ustasha Bn.

Conduct of Operations and Results: The attacked began in the Dilj Mountains to the north of Slavonski Brod, but the Partisans quickly withdrew to the northeast into the Krndija Mountains that lie just south of Našice. On 5 March, two days after the operation concluded, elements of the 18th NO Brigade came out of the Krndija Mountains and attacked the Croatian garrison in Ljeskovici near Našice and captured 61 Domobran soldiers. No details have been found for Operation “Grün” but it is not believed to have been successful since there were few if any casualties.

Footnotes
1. [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom V/12, p.539; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Oslobodilački rat naroda Juooslavije 1941-1945, 2 Vols (Belgrade: 1965), p.500; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945 (Belgrade, 1964), pp.427 and 441.