Croatian Anti-Aircraft Legion
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| Croatian Anti-Aircraft Legion | |
|---|---|
| Kroatische FLAK Legion Hrvatska PZ Legija | |
Croatian legionnaire manning an anti-aircraft (AA) gun | |
| Active | 1943—1945 |
| Country | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | Luftwaffe |
| Type | Air Defense |
| Role | Anti-Aircraft Artillery Heimatflak |
| Size | 350 gunners 3,000 support troops |
| Part of | Wehrmacht |
| Garrison/HQ | Zagreb |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Bojnik Srnec |
| Insignia | |
| Shoulder Sleeve Insignia | |
The Croatian Anti-Aircraft Legion (Croatian: Hrvatska PZ Legija; German: Kroatische FLAK Legion) was an anti-aircraft (Flak) unit in the service of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) during World War II. It was composed of Croat volunteers from the Independent State of Croatia (NDH).[1]
Within days of Hitler's invasion of Russia, Croatian fascist Ante Pavelić, leader of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) issued an appeal for Croats to fight on the side of Nazi Germany and join the volunteer Croatian Legion and its "crusade against Bolshevism", a regiment of infantry, two air units and one naval unit were sent to the Eastern Front.[2] In early 1943 an anti-aircraft (FLAK) unit of the Luftwaffe was formed on the model of the Croatian Air Force Legion.[1] The unit was named Hrvatska PZ Legija and Kroatische FLAK Legion (Croatian Anti-Aircraft Legion).[3] It numbered 350 gunners and about 3,000 support troops, the unit was commanded by Major Bojnik Srnec.[1]