Kninska bitka 1944

Bogdan, Ante. (2014). Kninska bitka 1944. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of History. [mentor Aralica, Višeslav].

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Abstract

Battle of Knin is one of the most significant battles in Yugoslavia during World War II. It was held from 7th of November till 4th of December 1944. It was led between the 15th mountain corps of Wehrmacht (including ustashas, Croatian Home Guard and chetniks) and main of the 8th corps of People`s Liberation Army of Yugoslavia for the dominance over the area of Knin, which was strategically important as a main communication center between the regions of Dalmatia, Lika and Bosnia. From the total of 55,000 to 60,000 soldiers who participated in the battle fourth was killed, wounded or captured. In this battle Germans suffered the major casualties; two of their divisions were severely damaged and one was completely destroyed along with nearly half of the Dinara Chetnik division (total 10,840 soldiers). People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia losses were significantly lower (3242 soldiers). The main result of the battle was severe defeat of Wehrmachts, the expulsion of the Ustasha government and liquidation of the strong Chetnik movement in northern Dalmatia. By taking Knin 8th corps of NOVJ freed whole of Dalmatia and enabeld the creation of a singular operational area all the way to Istria and Slovenia. Loss of Knin had a huge consequences on Wehrmacht and it created a hole in the defense system south of Sava which Germans couldn't close.

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