Ustasha-Domobran Regiment Poglavnik Dr. Ante Pavelić (Ustaško-domobranska pukovnija Poglavnika dra Ante Pavelića)
by H.L. deZeng IV

Formed 21 October 1941 in Zagreb as a garrison regiment. Composition was identical to the other infantry regiments formed in 1941 but reinforced with a squadron (company) of cavalry and a battery of artillery. The personnel were a mix of Ustasha and Domobran volunteers, but the overwhelming majority were Domobran. It was subordinated to the Army (Domobran) in all respects and the use of “Ustasha” in its designation was more for prestige purposes than anything else. Its commander and officers were virtually all from the Army. The Regiment had an authorized strength of 1,800, which suggests a three-battalion composition. Its I Battalion (at least) is known to have fought in Operation “West-Bosnien” in the Kozara Mountains between Banja Luka and Prijedor in June 1942, but this is the only reference to it being in action in the field that has been found. It spent the next 21 months quietly doing its garrison duty in Zagreb and on or about 1 April 1944 it was disbanded and its assets used to fill up the 1st Mountain Rgt./1st Mountain Brigade stationed in Kutina about 75 km southeast of Zagreb. (1)

Commanders

Podpukovnik Rudolf Šimić (? - ?) June 1942

Footnotes

1. Colić, Mladen - Takozvana Nezavisna Država Hrvatska 1941 (Belgrade: Delta-pres, 1973); [Vojnoistorijski institute] - Zbornik dokumenata i podataka o narodnooslobodilačkom ratu jugoslovenskih naroda, Tom II/12, p.561; Tom IV/5, p.300; Hrvatski narod newspaper 7.11.41, p.2; Narodne novine.

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -