Vladimir Laksa
Croatia- Vladimir Laxa: A Croatian Military Leader
- Involvement in the Ustaša Movement
- Chief of Staff and Commander of the Army
- Army Reorganization
- Loss of Influence
Vladimir Laxa: A Croatian Military Leader
Early Life and Military CareerVladimir Laxa (1869-1945) was a Croatian military general who played a significant role in World War I and the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). He was a commander in the Austro-Hungarian Army during the war, leading the 18th Mountain Brigade on the Italian Front.
Involvement in the Ustaša Movement
After World War I, Laxa became an active member of the Ustaša movement, a Croatian nationalist and fascist organization. When the NDH was established in 1941, he was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Chief of Staff and Commander of the Army
From 1941 to 1942, Laxa served as Chief of Staff of the Croatian Army and simultaneously as Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces from 1941 to 1944. During this period, he oversaw the first reorganization of the army, dividing it into three corps areas.
Army Reorganization
On May 1, 1943, a second reorganization occurred, reducing the army to three corps areas and consolidating the six divisions into four mountain, four rifle, and one mobile brigade. The new structure included the I Corps in Zagreb, the II Corps in Slavonian Brod, and the III Corps in Sarajevo.
Loss of Influence
As the war progressed, Ante Pavelić, the leader of the NDH, gradually shifted control of the army away from Laxa. On November 20, 1944, he reorganized the army again, merging the Home Guard and Ustaša armed forces. Consequently, Laxa was left without a significant role in the military.
