The 373. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division was formed in January 1943 at Truppenübungsplatz Döllersheim with manpower from the Croatian 7. Mountain Brigade. It ended the war in Yugoslav captivity near Raka.

This unit took part in anti-partisan operations in Croatia.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Emil Zellner (25 Jan 1943 - 5 Aug 1943)
Generalleutnant Eduard Aldrian (5 Aug 1943 - 20 Oct 1944)
Generalmajor Hans Gravenstein (20 Oct 1944 - 8 May 1945)

Area of operations

Croatia & Balkans (Jan 1943 - May 1945)

Nicknames

Schachbrett-Division (Chess Board Division)
Tiger-Division (Tigar Divizija)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (1)
- Keller, Ernst, 25.09.1944 (4000), Oberleutnant, Btl.Fhr. I./Gren.Rgt. 383
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (1)
- Menzel, Gustav, 27.12.1944, Rittmeister, Aufkl.Abt. 373
Holders of the Knight's Cross (1)
- Hermann, Karl 24.12.1944 Oberst d.R. Kdr Gren.Rgt 384 (kroat.)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (2)
- 3./Feld-Bataillon 373 (kroat.)
-- Date/Place of Downing: 27.05.1944 bei Spahici
-- Award Date: 01.08.1944 (525)
- Feld-Bataillon 373 (kroat.)
-- Date/Place of Downing: 04.06.1944 bei Ostrozac
-- Award Date: 01.08.1944 (527)

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 383 (kroatische)
Grenadier-Regiment 384 (kroatische)
Artillerie-Regiment 373
Pionier-Bataillon 373
Feldersatz-Bataillon 373
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 373
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 373

Insignia

Personnel of this division wore German army uniforms and rank insignia with the checkered red/white arm shield of Croatia.

Sources used

Christopher Ailsby - Hitler's Renegades: Foreign nationals in the service of the Third Reich
David Littlejohn - Foreign Legions of the Third Reich, vol 3
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945

Reference material on this unit

Franz Schraml - Kriegsschauplatz Kroatien: Die deutsch-kroatischen Legionsdivisionen 369., 373., 392. Infanterie-Division, ihre Ausbildungs- und Ersatzformationen