Maschinengewehrschütze (369. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division)

Source: Author's Collection

    A machine-gunner belonging to the 369. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division (369th. (Croatian) Infantry Division). This is identified by the pin he is wearing on his feldbluse’s pocket. The pin, called the Croatian Legion 1941 Linden Leaf, was awarded to those who served in the original unit, the Verstärktes Kroatisches Infanterie-Regiment 369 (369th. Reinforced Croatian Infantry Regiment), and had survived the Battle of Stalingrad. This battle effectively marked the end of the original regiment with only a little over 1,000 soldiers having been evacuated out. These men formed the core of the new 369. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division. 

    The unit was used almost exclusively for anti-partisan warfare in the territory of the Unabhängiger Staat Kroatien (Independent State of Croatia; NDH)). The unit was nicknamed the “Teufels Division” (Devil’s Division) and took it from a Croatian WW1 unit, the 42. Domobranska Pješačka Divizija (42. Home Guard Infantry Division) which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Army. During 1943 to 1945, the unit was involved in numerous operations against the various partisan forces within the NDH, chiefly Chetnik partisan units. However, the combat record of the 369. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division was mediocre at best, desertion was a constant problem and the unit was more known for its brutality rather than its prowess in battle. By April 1945, the 369. (Kroatische) Infanterie-Division was a shell of itself and when the unit was captured in Slovenia, the Germans remaining were allowed to retreat into Austria but the Croatians became prisoners of the partisans which was a near certain death sentence. 

    This enlisted man, evident by his lack of tresse (braid) along his collar edges and schulterklappen (shoulder boards), is armed with the 7.92mm Maschinengewehr 34 select fire machinegun and tucked into his belt is a Model 1924 Stielhandgranate (M24 stick grenade). There is a lanyard looped around his shoulder and tucked into the feldbluse pocket but what is on the end of it isn’t identifiable.