List of Croatian soldiers

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Croatian pandurs from 1742.

This is a list of Croatian soldiers, and it includes military personnel of Croatian origin ranging from early mediaval times to contemporary Croatian armies.

Medieval Croatian state[edit]

Croatian principalities (until 925)[edit]

Dalmatian Croatia[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Višeslav Dalmatian Croatia Prince Frankish campaign against Avars and Slavs Siege of Trsat Višeslav waged a war against Franks during his rule and avoided defeat until 803 — a year after his death.
Borna Dalmatian Croatia Prince Frankish campaign against Ljudevit Posavski Battle of Kupa
Trpimir I Dalmatian Croatia Prince Against Byzantine Empire
Croato-Bulgarian Wars
Domagoj Dalmatian Croatia Prince Civil war in Croatia
Croatian-Venetian Wars
Siege of Bari (866-871)

Pannonian Croatia[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Vojnomir Principality of Lower Pannonia / Carolingian Empire Prince Vojnomir is known for fighting the Avars during their occupation of Croatia. He launched a joint counterattack with the help of Frankish troops under King Charlemagne in 791. The offensive was successful and the Avars were driven out of Croatia. In return for the help of Charlemagne, Vojnomir was obliged to recognize Frankish sovereignty, convert to Christianity and have his territory named as Principality of Lower Pannonia.
Ljudevit Principality of Lower Pannonia Prince
Ratimir Principality of Lower Pannonia / First Bulgarian Empire Prince
Braslav Principality of Lower Pannonia Prince

Kingdom of Croatia (925–1102)[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Tomislav Dalmatian Croatia / Kingdom of Croatia Prince / King Croatian–Bulgarian wars Battle of the Bosnian Highlands Tomislav united the Croats of Dalmatia and Pannonia into a single Kingdom in 925.
Michael Krešimir II Kingdom of Croatia King War against Arabs Michael won a conflict against Arab pirates near the town of Gargano on Italian peninsula in 969.
Stephen Držislav Kingdom of Croatia King War against Venice
Svetoslav Suronja Kingdom of Croatia King War against Venice
Stephen I Kingdom of Croatia King War against Arabs
Peter Krešimir IV Kingdom of Croatia King War against Normans Is believed to be taken into captivity during Norman incursion.
Zvonimir Kingdom of Croatia King War against Holy Roman Empire He was engaged in a minor conflict with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, specifically one of his vassals in Istria.
Petar Snačić Kingdom of Croatia King War against Kingdom of Hungary Battle of Gvozd Mountain

Croatia in personal union with Hungary (1102–1527)[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Paul I Šubić of Bribir
(c. 1245 - 1 May 1312)
Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia /
Lord of all of Bosnia
Wars against Venice /
Wars against Bosnians
Mladen Šubić Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia /
Lord of all of Bosnia
Šubić-Damlatian cities Wars / Louis The Great Wars of centralization
John of Palisna Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman Wars / Ottoman wars in Europe John of Palisna led a contingent of Knights Hospitallers from Vrana in Croatia against Ottomans in the Battle of Kosovo.[1]
Ivan Frankopan Cetinski
Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman Wars / Ottoman wars in Europe
Bernardin Frankopan Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary nobleman Croatian–Ottoman Wars
Petar Berislavić Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman Wars / Ottoman wars in Europe
Ivan Karlović
(1478 - 1531)
Kingdom of Croatia / Kingdom of Hungary Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman Wars / Ottoman wars in Europe

Croatia within Habsburg Monarchy (1527–1918)[edit]

Regular Habsburg army[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Christoph Frankopan Kingdom of Croatia / John Zapolya Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman Wars / Habsburg-Zapolya Succession War
Petar Keglević Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia
Franjo Vlašić Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia
Nikola Šubić Zrinski Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman wars / Ottoman wars in Europe Nikola Šubić Zrinski was most known for defending Szigetvar Fortress against Ottomans.
Tamas (Toma) Erdody Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman wars / Ottoman wars in Europe
Petar Zrinski Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman wars / Austro-Turkish War (1663–1664)
Nikola VII Zrinski Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman wars / Austro-Turkish War (1663–1664)
Miklos (Nikola) Erdody Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ban of Croatia Croatian–Ottoman wars / Great Turkish War

Officers[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
16-17 Century
Nikola Jurišić Kingdom of Croatia, a part of Habsburg monarchy Captain Ottoman wars in Europe
Little War in Hungary
Siege of Güns (Kőszeg) (1532) Nikola Jurišić defended the small border fort of Kőszeg with only 700-800 Croatian soldiers with no cannons and few guns, preventing the advance of the Turkish army of 120,000-140,000 toward Vienna.[2]
Adam Zrinski Kingdom of Croatia, a part of Habsburg monarchy officer Great Turkish War (1683-1699)
Marko Mesić Kingdom of Croatia, a part of Habsburg monarchy soldier-priest Great Turkish War (1683-1699)
Ivan Andrija Makar Kingdom of Croatia, a part of Habsburg monarchy general Great Turkish War (1683-1699)
Pavao Ritter Vitezović Kingdom of Croatia, a part of Habsburg monarchy poet and scholar, was granted a status of knight on diet of Požun Great Turkish War (1683-1699)
  • Participated in Croatian/Habsburg army attacks on Szigetvar and Lendava
18-19 Century
Franjo Jelačić Habsburg monarchy Feldmarschall-Leutnant Austro-Turkish War (1787–1791)
French Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic Wars
Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich Habsburg monarchy Feldmarschall-Leutnant Seven Years' War
War of the Bavarian Succession
Austro-Turkish War (1787–1791)
French Revolutionary Wars
Josef Philipp Vukassovich[3]  Austrian Empire Feldmarschall-Leutnant Austro-Turkish War (1787–1791)
French Revolutionary Wars
Napoleonic Wars
Siege of Mantua (1796–1797)
Battle of Wagram
Franjo Tomašić  Austrian Empire Lieutenant field marshal
Josip Jelačić  Austrian Empire
Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia
Feldzugmeister
Grgo Kusić (1892–1918)  Austria-Hungary Soldier Grgo Kusić was a 2.37 m (7 ft 9+12 in) tall Croat soldier in the Austro-Hungarian Army. According to some accounts, Kusić was the tallest soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Army.[4][5]
Stjepan Sarkotić  Austria-Hungary General World War I
Maximilian Njegovan  Austria-Hungary Admiral World War I
Josip Filipović  Austria-Hungary General
Svetozar Borojević  Austria-Hungary Field marshal His wartime merits earned him nickname "Lion of Soča". Although originating from Serbian Orthodox family, at the end of his life, he declared himself as Croatian.[6][7][8]
Anton Lipošćak  Austria-Hungary General World War I Carpathian Front
Slavko Kvaternik  Austria-Hungary
State of Croats, Serbs and Slovenes
 Independent State of Croatia
Marshal 1918 occupation of Međimurje

Irregular military[edit]

Uskoci[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Petar Kružić Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Captain Ottoman wars in Europe Petar Kružić was a capitan of Klis and Senj.[9] He gathered together a garrison composed of Croat refugees, who used the base at Klis Fortress both to hold the Turks at bay, and to engage in marauding and piracy against coastal shipping.[9] Although nominally accepting the sovereignty of the Habsburg Emperor Ferdinand I, who obtained the Croatian crown in 1527, Kružić and his freebooting Uskoci were a law unto themselves.[9]
Ivan Lenković (died 1569. Metlika, Slovenia)[10] Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy General Ottoman wars in Europe Ivan Lenković was ruler of Senj and Military Frontier commander.[10] He is noted for the construction of Fortress Nehaj and as a captain of the Uskoks.[10]
Ivo Senjanin Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ottoman wars in Europe
Elia Peraizza Kingdom of Croatia a part of Habsburg monarchy Ottoman wars in Europe

Hajduci[edit]

Pandurs[edit]

Rebel peasants[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Ambroz "Matija" Gubec Muška punta Peasant army leader Croatian-Slovene peasant revolt Battle of Donja Stubica
Ilija "Prebeg" Gregorić
  • Grenzer
  • Peasant army commander

World War II (1941–1945)[edit]

Ustaše[edit]

Croatian and Yugoslav Partisans[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Josip Broz Tito  Austria-Hungary
 Yugoslavia
Marshal
Ivan Gošnjak  Spanish Republic
 Yugoslavia
General
Ivan Rukavina  Spanish Republic
 Yugoslavia
General
Franjo Tuđman  Yugoslavia
 Croatia
Vrhovnik
Joža Horvat  Yugoslavia Officer World War II
Ivan Šibl  Yugoslavia General World War II
Vladimir Bakarić  Yugoslavia Officer World War II
Rade Bulat  Yugoslavia Officer World War II
Stjepan Filipović  Yugoslavia World War II
Franjo Kluz  Yugoslavia World War II
Josip Kraš  Yugoslavia World War II
Josip Manolić  Yugoslavia
 Croatia
Officer
Josip Boljkovac  Yugoslavia
 Croatia
World War II
Martin Špegelj  Yugoslavia
 Croatia
Officer World War II
Andrija Hebrang (father)  Yugoslavia Officer World War II

Republic of Croatia (1991–present)[edit]

Croatian War of Independence[edit]

The following is a list of distinguished Croatian soldiers from Croatian War of Independence listen in alphabetical order.

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Rahim Ademi Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Andrija Andabak  Croatia colonel (posthumously) Croatian War of Independence Credited for destroying 32 enemy AFV's, out of which 30 tanks. Croatian Army awards a medal named after him to those soldiers who destroy three or more AFV's.[11][12]
Branimir Anić - Matan  Croatia officer Croatian War of Independence
Marko Babić  Croatia officer Croatian War of Independence
Zoran Babić  Croatia officer Croatian War of Independence
Tihomir Blaškić  Croatia
Herzeg-Bosnia
general
Janko Bobetko Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general
Agim Çeku  Croatia officer Croatian War of Independence
Ivan Čermak  Croatia general Croatian War of Independence
Zvonimir Červenko Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Ljubo Ćesić Rojs  Croatia general
Davor Domazet-Lošo Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

admiral Croatian War of Independence
Željko Glasnović  Canada

 France

 Croatia

Herzeg-Bosnia

general
Branimir Glavaš  Croatia officer Croatian War of Independence
Ante Gotovina France

 Croatia

general
Davor Jović  Croatia officer
Ivan Korade  Croatia general
Damir Krstičević Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general
Ante Kotromanović  Croatia general
Sveto Letica  Croatia admiral Croatian War of Independence
Mladen Markač  Croatia general Croatian War of Independence
Slobodan Praljak  Croatia
Herzeg-Bosnia
general Siege of Mostar
Petar Stipetić Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Anton Tus Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Blago Zadro  Croatia general Croatian War of Independence Battle of Vukovar
Drago Lovrić Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Mirko Šundov Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

 Croatia

general Croatian War of Independence
Robert Hranj  Croatia admiral Croatian War of Independence

Croatia–NATO relations[edit]

Foreign Armies[edit]

Soldier Allegiance Rank Wars Battles Notes Image
Michael J. Novosel  United States of America Lieutenant Colonel (USAF)
Chief Warrant Officer (USA)
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Michael J. Novosel, Sr. (September 3, 1922 – April 2, 2006) was a recipient of the United States' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — and a retired Chief Warrant Officer (CW4).
Lothar Rendulic  Austria-Hungary
 Austria
 Nazi Germany
Oberst (Austria)
Generaloberst (Germany)
World War II
Louis Cukela  United States of America Major World War I
World War II
Soissons engagement
Battle of Belleau Wood
Peter Tomich  United States of America Chief Watertender (Navy) World War I
World War II
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Vjekoslav Prebeg Croatia

Ukraine

soldier War in Donbass
2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Siege of Mariupol
Matija Zmajević Russia Tsardom of Russia Admiral
Rustem Pasha Opuković[13][14] Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire General
Piyale Pasha Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire Grand Admiral and Vizier
Veli Mahmud Pasha[15][16] Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire General
Hersekzade Ahmed Pasha[17] Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire General
İshak Pasha[18] Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire General
Kuyucu Murat Pasha Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire General

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hunyadi and Laszlovszky, Zsolt and József (2001). The Crusades and the military orders: expanding the frontiers of medieval latin christianity. Budapest: Central European University Press. Dept. of Medieval Studies. pp. 285–290. ISBN 963-9241-42-3.
  2. ^ Turnbull, Stephen. The Ottoman Empire 1326–1699. New York: Osprey, 2003. p. 51
  3. ^ Hollins, David (2004). Austrian Commanders of the Napoleonic Wars 1792–1815. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd. p. 29. ISBN 1-84176-664-X.
  4. ^ "Visoki Hrvati" (in Croatian). October 28, 2008. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  5. ^ "La Croatie: Le saviez-vous?" (in French). Embassy of Croatia in France. Archived from the original on 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  6. ^ "Borojević od Bojne: zaboravljeni hrvatski ratni junak". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  7. ^ "Znate li priču o najvećem hrvatskom vojskovođi u povijesti? Na bojištu je bio genij, a umro je u bijedi". www.index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  8. ^ ""Hrvatski glavonja" Svetozar Borojević - Žuto-crni general". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  9. ^ a b c Singleton, Frederick Bernard (1989). A Short History of the Yugoslav Peoples. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 60–61. ISBN 0-521-25478-7. ISBN 0-521-27485-0.
  10. ^ a b c Bousfield, Jonathan (2003). The Rough Guide to Croatia. London: Rough Guides. p. 313. ISBN 978-1-84353-084-8. ISBN 1-84353-084-8.
  11. ^ "Osječki „maljutkaši" među najučinkovitijima u Domovinskom ratu". stv.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  12. ^ "Obilježena 30. obljetnica pogibije Andrije Andabaka, "lovca na tenkove"". Glas Istre. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  13. ^ Taylor, Jane (2007). Imperial Istanbul: A Traveller's Guide: Includes Iznik, Bursa and Edirne. London: Tauris Parke Paperbacks. pp. 166–167. ISBN 978-1-84511-334-6.
  14. ^ Fine, John Van Antwerp (2006). When ethnicity did not matter in the Balkans. Michigan: The University of Michigan Press. pp. 215–216. ISBN 0-472-11414-X.
  15. ^ Miller, Barnette (1941). The Palace school of Muhammad the Conqueror. Harvard University Press. p. 7.
  16. ^ United Center for Research and Training in History (1998). Bulgarian historical review: Revue bulgare d'histoire. Pub. House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. p. 48.
  17. ^ Klemenčić, Mladen (1993). A Concise atlas of the Republic of Croatia & of the Republic of Bosnia and Hercegovina. Michigan: Miroslav Krleža Lexicographical Institute (original from University of Michigan Press). p. 88.
  18. ^ Radushev, Evg (2003). Inventory of Ottoman Turkish documents about Waqf preserved in the Oriental Department at the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library. Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodiĭ. p. 228.