Original scientific paper
German 1st Cossack Division in Slavonia during World War Two
Nikica Barić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2118-0736
Abstract
The paper presents the main characteristics of the presence of the 1st Cossack division of Wehrmacht in the Independent State of Croatia (ISC), with the emphasis on its activities in Slavonia. This cavalry division, commanded by General Helmuth von Pannwitz, was filled with Cossacks who sided with the Germans after their invasion of Soviet Union, as well as with a sizeable number of Soviet prisoners of war. The Division was formed in German occupied Poland and sent to ISC in September-October 1943 where it was deployed until the end of war. The Division, deployed against the Yugoslav Partisans, also distinguished itself for various atrocities against the civilian population in ISC.
The ISC, with its military weaknesses, depended on German support and presence of their units on its territory. At the same time ISC authorities were often critical of the conduct of German troops and of their reprisals against the civilian population, because they harmed not only Partisans and their supporters, but Croatian population in general. But the 1st Cossack division, because of the widespread indiscipline and violence of its soldiers, became a particular problem for ISC authorities. In late 1943 and during early 1944 high Croatian officials planned to demand from Berlin to withdraw the Cossacks from ISC, but ultimately Hitler himself rejected these Croatian proposals and Cossacks remained on Croatian territory until the end of the war.
ISC authorities attempted to solve the problems with the Cossacks by sending their representatives and liaison officers to 1st Cossack division, who would be able to intervene in order to prevent and stop Cossacks’ transgressions. Also, the 1st Cossack division admitted responsibility for a certain number of incidents committed by its soldiers. The Divisional command put a certain number of Cossacks before court martials, and they were sentenced to death and executed. The Division also compensated some of the damage caused by its soldiers. Nevertheless, very often 1st Cossack division rejected complaints and accusations about the conduct of its soldiers coming from the ISC authorities as unfounded and exaggerated. It is also interesting to note that more than once there occurred smaller scale armed clashes between Cossacks and Croatian soldiers andUstasha militiamen, but ISC authorities generally intervened to stop such incidents and called for its soldiers to establish correct and friendly relations with the Cossacks as members of the allied German army.
Keywords
Independent State of Croatia; 1st Cossack Division; Helmuth von Pannwitz
Hrčak ID:
211482
URI
Publication date:
1.11.2018.
Visits: 2.545 *