by H.L. deZeng IV

The function of the Finance Guard, which was formally established by legal decree in May 1942 and subordinate to the ministry of Finance for Administrative purposes and the Ministry of the Armed Forces for operational purposes, was spelled out as follows:

To uphold and enforce the laws concerning
* customs
* monopolies
* public consumption tariffs
* monetary values and rates of exchange.

Additionally, the Guard was responsible for exercising military vigilance in the frontier zone and for performing other duties when called upon by the Ministry of the Armed Forces; i.e., responding to a summons by the public security authorities for the purpose of calming rebellion and for reestablishing public order.

The Ministry of the Armed Forces was responsible for providing the Guard with arms. Each finance guard was furnished with a rifle and 20 rounds, a bayonet and a pistol with 25 rounds. For units located in the frontier zone, the number of cartridges issued was established according to need.

Deployed along the borders of the Croatian state, the Finance Guard was normally under the Gendarmerie regiment in whose area they were located. For example, in May 1944 there were 13 Finance Guard posts in south and south-central Dalmatia tactically under the 5th Gendarmerie Regiment. The posts ranged from as few as two men up to 22 men with a total of 164 Finance Guards. No figures have been found for the total strength of this small organization, but it was probably not much more than 1,200.

Sources used
1. NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-501 roll 250/536); (T-821 roll 278/438; roll 448/695).