6th Division (Yugoslav Partisans)

6th Lika Division
Flag of Democratic Federal Yugoslavia (used by the Partisans)
Active	1942–1945
Country	Democratic Federal Yugoslavia
Allegiance	Yugoslav Partisans
Branch	Yugoslav Partisan Army
Type	Infantry
Size	3,229 soldiers (upon formation)
Part of	4th Corps 1st Corps
Engagements	World War II in Yugoslavia
Commanders
Notable commanders	Srećko Manola (November 1942 - March 1943) Đoko Jovanić (March 1943 - May 1945)

The 6th Proletarian Assault Lika Division "Nikola Tesla" (Šesta lička proleterska udarna divizija „Nikola Tesla”) was a Yugoslav Partisan division formed on 22 November 1942. It was formed from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Lika Brigades. On 11 November 1943, it became part of the 4th Corps and later a part of the 1st Corps. It operated in Dalmatia until November 1943 when it crossed into Bosnia, later it fought in Serbia and on the Syrmian Front. From October 1944, the 22nd Serbian Kosmaj Brigade also fought as part of the division, and in December 1944 an Artillery Brigade was formed within the division.

After its formation, it participated in the operations of the 1st Bosnian Corps in the lower course of the Una, and at the end of 1942 and early 1943 it carried out attacks on Italian, Ustaše and Chetnik garrisons in Lika and northern Dalmatia. During the initial phase of the Case White, it successfully led battles against strong Italian forces, to which it inflicted heavy losses in Lapačko polje. Then, together with the units of the 8th Kordun Division, it captured all enemy possessions in Lika, except for Gospić.

In November 1943, the division moved to Bosnia, where it took part in intensive combat operations against the enemy forces. It distinguished itself during Operation Rösselsprung when it rescued the Supreme Headquarters, on 25 May 1944. In September 1944, together with the 1st Proletarian Division, it managed to penetrate Serbia, took part in the defeat of the Chetnik Fourth Group of Assault Corps and weaker German parts, as well as the liberation of Valjevo and parts of western Serbia. In the Belgrade operation, in October 1944, it distinguished herself in breaking the resistance in the ministry buildings in Nemanjina Street and liberating Zemun. It took part in the fighting on the Syrmian Front, and after its breakthrough, together with the units of the 21st Serbia Division, it took part in the liberation of Đakovo and Slavonski Brod. Then it took part in the final operations for the liberation of Yugoslavia and on 9 May 1945, it entered Zagreb.

It was considered one of the most combative divisions among Yugoslav Partisans and for the successes achieved in the battles, by the decision of the Supreme Headquarters, on 19 March 1944. It was declared proletarian and named after the scientist Nikola Tesla, who was a native of Lika. All three brigades, which were part of the division when it was formed, were also declared proletarian and awarded the Order of the People's Hero.