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

Dates: 24 April – 8 May 1944. (1)

Objective: To surround and destroy 6th Corps NOVJ in the Papuk Mountains centered 20-25 kilometers NNW of Slavonska Požega in Slavonia.

Enemy Forces: 6th Corps NOVJ (12th and 28th Divisions).

Axis Forces:
German
42. Jäger-Div. (main force)
II./Grenadier-Rgt. (mot.) 92
Panzerspäh-Kp. z.b.V. 468
Stab/Polizei-Freiwilligen-Rgt. 1 Kroatien
Polizei-Freiw.Btl. 6 (kroat.)
Polizei-Freiw.Btl. 9 (kroat.)
Polizei-Panzer-Kp. 11 Kroatien
2. Polizei-Geschütz-Bttr. Kroatien
Panzer-Kp. z.b.V. 12 (5 Italian assault guns and 8 light French tanks)
Sicherungs-Rgt. 606 (elements)
Croatian
IV Mountain Brigade
II Bn./Mobil Brigade
II Ustasha Brigade (XV, XVI and XVIII Ustasha Battalions)
One (1) platoon of light tanks from IV Mountain Brigade

Conduct of Operations and Results: The Germans and Croatians began closing in from Virovitica, Podravska Slatina, Daruvar, Našice and Sl. Požega on 27 April. Over the next 12 days, the mountainous terrain was gradually combed with frequent skirmishes occurring as the Partisans tried to avoid direct confrontation with the numerical superior enemy, while at the same time protecting their camps and supply dumps in the woods. The Axis forces destroyed any and all camps and buildings they discovered, burned down a number of villages and killed many civilians believed to be Partisan sympathizers. The great majority of the Partisan force succeeded in getting away.

Losses (from German records)
Germans and Croatians: 63 killed, 134 wounded and 46 missing.
Partisans: 417 counted dead, plus 760 estimated dead, 191 counted wounded, plus 297 estimated wounded, and 141 captured.

Footnotes
1. [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945 (Belgrade, 1964), p.735; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Oslobodilački rat naroda Juooslavije 1941-1945, 2 Vols (Belgrade: 1965), pp.154-55; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-314 roll 1546/421-40).