Slavko Kvaternik
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Slavko Kvaternik (1878 - June 7, 1947) was the deputy leader and founding member of the Croatian Ustaša movement in the 1930s and later one of the leaders of the Independent State of Croatia.
During World War I, Kvaternik served as an adjutant of field marshal Svetozar Boroević and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class.
In 1918 he joined the newly-formed National Council of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, becoming the army chief of general staff. At the end of the year, Kvaternik commanded Croatian troops during the successful campaign in Međimurje against the Hungarian army.
After the German invasion of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941, the Ustaše formed their government with Ante Pavelić as leader. Four days later Kvaternik proclaimed the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) and formed the first Ustashi government. At the same time, at Kvaternik's request, Vladko Maček (the leader of the Croatian Peasant Party, who had refused to cooperate with the Germans when they requested he lead the new nation) told the people to cooperate with the new regime.
On April 12, 1941, while fighting between the Germans and the Yugoslav Army was going on, Archbishop Stepinac openly called on Kvaternik and congratulated him on his success. The day before Easter, Kvaternik visited Stepinac. The official organ of the Archbishopric, Katolicki List, reported that the Archbishop had expressed his highest satisfaction to Kvaternik. The Ustashi newspaper, Krvatske Novosti, in its Easter issue, underlined the significance of this interchange of visits and pointed out the cordiality with which the Archbishop of Zagreb had greeted Kvaternik, Ante Pavelic's deputy. The newspaper drew the conclusion that the foundation was laid for intimate cooperation between the Ustashi movement and the highest representative of the Roman Catholic Church in the Croatian State. [1]
Kvaternik's position at this time was commander-in-chief of the Croatian Armed Forces. The Croatian Home Guard was established on April 11. He stayed at this position until his retirement in 1943.
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[edit] Award
He was awarded the 1st Class Cross of the Military Order of the Iron Trefoil during his service to the NDH. This award gave him the title of vitez (knight), which is sometimes included in his name.
[edit] Execution
After the Second World War's end, Kvaternik was tried and sentenced to death by Yugoslav officials. He was executed on June 7, 1947.
[edit] Family
His son Dido Kvaternik was also a member of the Ustasha.
