Operation Klara

Clara

'Klarea' was a German and Croat operation against the partisan forces of Josip Broz Tito in Axis-occupied Yugoslavia (20/22 June 1943).

Designed to effect the relief of elements of the Croat 11th Regiment, which was surrounded by strong partisan forces in the vicinity of Velika Kladusa in western Bosnia, the operation was undertaken by elements of Generalleutnant Karl Eglseer’s 114th Jägerdivision with elements of Generalleutnant Emil Zellner’s 373rd Division (kroatische), and the 11th Regiment and 12th Regiment and the 2/2nd Mountain Brigade of the Croat army in the region south of the Sava river against parts of the Yugoslav I Corps near Velika Kladusa, Cetingrad and Sunja.

The Yugoslav opposition was the 'Unska' Operational Group of the IV Corps and the 2nd Assault Brigade of the 8th Assault Division. These partisan forces had severely mauled two battalions of the 11th Regiment in Velika Kladusa, some 25 miles (40 km) to the south-south-east of Karlovac in a 20-hour action on 20/21 June as the partisans attempted to take the town. On the approach of the German and Croat relief force, the partisans quickly pulled out of the area and succeeded in avoiding contact with the Axis forces. The partisans reported that their action had resulted in the Croat loss of 40 men killed, 100 wounded and 185 captured, for their own loss of 35 men killed, 121 wounded and 10 missing.