39th Aviation Division explained

Unit Name:39th Aviation Division
39. vazduhoplovna divizija
Dates:1947–1959
Branch:Yugoslav Air Force
Type:Division
Size:2-3 regiments
Garrison:Skoplje
Garrison Label:HQ
Disbanded:1959

The 39th Aviation Division (Serbo-Croatian: 39. vazduhoplovna divizija/ 39. ваздухопловна дивизија) was a unit originally established in 1947 as the 5th Aviation Fighter Division (Serbo-Croatian: 5. vazduhoplovna lovačka divizija / 5. ваздухопловна ловачка дивизија).

History

5th Fighter Aviation Division

The 5th Fighter Aviation Division was established in April, 1947, with headquarters at Skoplje, with task of air defense of southern Yugoslavia. The division was direct under the Command of Yugoslav Air Force. It was formed from 111th and 113th Fighter Aviation Regiment.

By the 1948 year this division was renamed like all other units of Yugoslav Army, so it has become 39th Aviation Fighter Division (Serbo-Croatian: 39. vazduhoplovna lovačka divizija/ 39. ваздухопловна ловачка дивизија).

The commanders of division in this period were Petar Radević and Ilija Zelenika. Commissar was Krsto Bosanac.[1]

39th Aviation Division

The 39th Aviation Fighter Division was formed by renaming of 5th Aviation Fighter Division in 1948. It suffered small changes in the organization. Division has remain in Skoplje until it was disbanded.

In 1953 division was attached to 7th Aviation Corps. By 1953 it was renamed in to Aviation Fighter-Bomber Division due to the replacement of Soviet fighter aircraft with US-made fighter-bombers.

It was disbanded by the order from June 27, 1959, year due to the "Drvar" reorganization plan. It was transformed into 3rd Air Command.

The commanders of division in this period were Ilija Zelenika, Petar Radević, Nikola Lekić and Ilija Zelenika. Commissars were Krsto Bosanac, Radoje Ljubičić and Aco Babić until 1953.[2]

Assignments

Previous designations

Organization

1947-1948

1948-1959

Headquarters

Commanding officers

Political commissars

References

Notes and citations
  • Bibliography
  • Notes and References

    1. Dimitrijević, Bojan. Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo 1942–1992. Beograd, 2006, p. 354.
    2. Dimitrijević, Bojan. Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo 1942–1992. Beograd, 2006, p. 355.
    3. http://www.vojska.net/eng/armed-forces/yugoslavia/airforce/division/fighter/39/ 39th Fighter Aviation Division