Battle of Poljana

Part of World War II in Yugoslavia

Date

May 14–15, 1945

Location

Poljana, near the village of Prevalje, Yugoslavia
Coordinates: 46°32′40″N 14°52′25.19″E / 46.54444°N 14.8736639°E

Result

Partisan victory

Axis forces surrender

Belligerents

Axis:

Germany

NDH

Slovene Home Guard

Montenegrin Volunteer Corps (former Chetniks and the survivors of the Battle on Lijevče field)

Allies:

Partisans

United Kingdom (Limited involvement)

Commanders and leaders

Kosta Nađ
(Commander, 3rd Army (Yugoslav Partisans)

Strength

Detachment of mixed 30,000 strong Axis column

Elements of the 11th Dalmatian Assault Brigade

Casualties and losses

350 killed
250 wounded

c. 100 killed and wounded

Partisan victory

The Battle of Poljana (Monday May 14 – Tuesday May 15, 1945) was a battle of World War II in Yugoslavia. It started at Poljana, near the village of Prevalje in Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), and was the culmination of a series of engagements between the Yugoslav Partisans and a large retreating Axis column, numbering in excess of 30,000 men. The column consisted of units of the German (Wehrmacht), the Armed Forces of the Independent State of Croatia, the Montenegrin People's Army (former Chetniks and the survivors of the Battle on Lijevče field), and Slovene Home Guard forces, as well as other fascist collaborationist factions and even civilians who were attempting to escape into British-controlled Austria. It took place after Nazi Germany officially surrendered on 8 May.

The Armed Forces of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) were reorganized in November 1944 to combine the units of the Ustaše and Army of the Independent State of Croatia into 18 divisions, comprising 13 infantry, two mountain, two assault and one replacement division, each with its own organic artillery and other support units. There were also several armoured units. From early 1945, the divisions were allocated to various German Corps and by March 1945 were holding the Southern Front.

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Wikipedia