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

Dates: 17 – 19 March 1944. (1)

Objective: To assemble a large concentration of troops in Slavonia along the western border of Hungary under the guise of an anti-Partisan operation.

Enemy Forces: Not applicable.

Axis Forces:
German
1. Gebirgs-Division
1. Kosaken-Kav.Div.
18. SS-Panzergrenadier-Div. “Horst Wessel”
42. Jäger-Div.
330. Gebirgs-Div.
367. Infanterie-Div.
Croatian
- none -

Conduct of Operations and Results: After assembling under the cover of an anti-Partisan operation, the German troops crossed over into Hungary to occupy the country on 19 March (Operation “Margarete”). The Germans feared the Horthy government in Hungary was becoming unreliable and was planning to negotiate a change of sides with the Allies.

Footnotes
1. NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-314 roll 1545/692).