User:OakMapping/sandbox/1st Krajina (Kozara) Proletarian Assault Brigade

1st Krajina (Kozara) Proletarian Assault Brigade
The brigade in 1944
Active21 May 1942 - 9 May 1945
CountryYugoslavia
AllegianceYugoslav Partisans
TypeInfantry
Size1186 (upon formation)
Part of5th Krajina Divison (After 9 November 1942)

The 1st Krajina (Kozara) Proletarian Assault Brigade was a World War II military unit of the Yugoslav Partisans formed on 28 May 1942, in the village of Lamovita near Prijedor. The brigade was formed by merging of parts of four Partisan detachments. It was commanded by Ivica Marušić Ratko and its political commissar was Velimir Stojnić.

Since 9 November until the end of the war, it fought under the 5th Krajina Division. It participated in many Partisan operations including: Bihać Operation, Belgrade offensive and Syrmian Front.

The brigade was declared to be proletarian on its 10th anniversary. It was also awarded with Order of National Liberation, Order of the Partisan Star, Order of Brotherhood and Unity and on 30th anniversary of a victory against fascism, in 1975 it was awarded with Order of the People's Hero.

Formation

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Group of Yugoslav Partisans from the 2nd Krajina National Liberation Partisan Detachment

On 16 May 1942, Partisans captured Prijedor, the third largest city in Bosanska krajina at the time. This was an improtant military and political victory for partisans. Five days later, in the village of Lamovita near Prijedor 1st Krajina Brigade was formed from parts of four Partisan detachments. Those being: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Krajina Detachments.[1] Decision about the formation of brigade was made by Operational Staff for Bosanska Krajina and an order about its formation was created on a meeting held in a elementary school in Lamovita. On this meeting final decisions about the brigade staff and composition of the battalions were made.[2]

The brigade consisted of 1186 fighters, most of which had significant military experience despite all fighters being under 30 years old. They were very well equipped at the time, the brigade had: 1100 rifles, almost 100 Light machine guns, 5 machine guns, 3 mortars and ammunition for all weapons excluding mortars.[2]

The first brigade staff

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Unit Commander Deputy Commander Political commissar Deputy political commissar
1st Krajina Brigade Ivica Marušić Ratko (30) Vojo Todorović (28) Velimir Stojnić (26) Savo Kesar (27)
1st Battalion Jović Dušan (24) Ilija Bursać (28) Svetko Kačar (28) Dmitar Smiljanić (28)
2nd Battalion Dušan Metlić (30) Vojin Mitrov (29) Dušan Karan (29) Jovo Kecman (28)
3rd Battalion Stevo Rauš (26) Veljko Stojaković (28) Pero Đurić (21) Mladen Marin (22)
4th Battalion Petar Mećava (28) Dragutin Stanić (29) Jusuf Imamović (25) Borko Aresnić (25)

[3]

Activities

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Head of Operational Staff for Bosanska Krajina, Kosta Nađ gave first orders to the brigade right after its formation. It was tasked with marching towards Manjača, in order to destroy Chetnik forces in the area and following that, capture Mrkonjić-Grad.[2]

Awards

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Legacy

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Špegar 1986, pp. 11–12.
  2. ^ a b c Arsenić 1981, pp. 37–39.
  3. ^ Špegar 1986, pp. 17–18.

Bibliography

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  • Špegar, Slobodan (1986). Ilustrovana monografija Prve krajiške brigade (in Serbo-Croatian). Belgrade.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Arsenić, Borko (1981). Prva Krajiška udarna proleterska brigada - sjećanja boraca (in Serbo-Croatian). Belgrade.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)