Battle of Kupres (1942)

Battle of Kupres
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia
Date 28 July - 19 August 1942 Location Kupres, Independent State of Croatia (modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina) Result Independent State of Croatia victory, Partisan failure to capture the town
Belligerents
Axis: Independent State of Croatia	Allies: Partisans
Commanders and leaders
Franjo Šimić Rafael Boban	Sreten Žujović
Units involved
Black Legion (c. 600 men), Croatian Home Guard, Kupres Militia	2nd, 3rd and 4th Proletarian brigade, 10th Herzegovinian Brigade, 1st Krajina Brigade, 3rd Krajina NOP Detachment
Strength
1,400–1,500 men	2,100–3,000 men
Location of Kupres within the Independent State of Croatia

The Battle of Kupres (Croatian: Bitka za Kupres) was a battle fought in 1942 during World War 2 in Independent State of Croatia between the forces of the Independent State of Croatia and the Yugoslav Partisans, in and around the town of Kupres in western Bosnia. The Partisans launched three concentrated attacks against the garrison of 1,500 men during the nights of 11/12 August, 14 August and 19 August. Although outnumbered, the Black Legion, Croatian Home Guard and local militia units successfully defended the town against several Partisan brigades.

In July 1942, the 2nd Proletarian Brigade moved on Kupres and, with the assistance of local Partisans, seized control over several villages in the vicinity. During the night of 4 August 1942 the Partisans attacked the town of Livno and captured it in the following days. The plan of the National Liberation Army Supreme Command, following the seizure of Livno, was to move the Proletarian Strike Brigades to Kupres, whose capture was vital for further actions in the valley of River Vrbas.

Yugoslav Partisans 11/12 August 1942, 13 battalions with around 2,100 men

14 August 1942, 16 battalions with around 2,400 - 3,000 men