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

Dates: 15 – 18 May 1944. (1)

Objective: To destroy Partisan forces in the area to the west of the Sesvete – Varaždin road between the Ivanščica and the Zagrebačka Mountains.

Enemy Forces: 32d and 33d Divisions NOVJ.

Axis Forces:
German
3 battalions of German-Croatian police
Croatian
1st Infantry Rgt./PTD
II Ustasha Bn./V Ustasha Brigade

Conduct of Operations and Results: The fighting during the operation was intense, and by 17 May the Partisans had been driven back into the center of the Kalnik mountains around the town of Apatovac. The German LXIX. Armeekorps z.b.V. placed enemy losses 552 counted dead, a further 700-800 estimated dead plus 61 captured. A brigade commander of the 32d Division was killed and the deputy to the commander of Partisan X Corps was severely wounded. Combined German/Croatian losses amounted to 4 KIA and 15 WIA. During the operation, 64 Croatian and German military prisoners were freed from Partisan captivity.

Footnotes
1. [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Hronologija oslobodilačke borbe naroda jugoslavije 1941-1945 (Belgrade, 1964), p.760; [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Oslobodilački rat naroda Juooslavije 1941-1945, vol II, p.160; NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-314 roll 1545/772-76).