Slavko Štancer

Who was Slavko Štancer?

Slavko Štancer was the commander-in-chief and inspector-general of "Domobranstvo", the regular army of the Independent State of Croatia during the Second World War. His surname is also sometimes written "Stanzer" or "Stancer".

Stanzer served under the Poglavnik Ante Pavelić and was awarded the honorary title Vitez when he received the Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir. Stanzer was appointed commander-in-chief of the ground forces on April 16, 1941. Later, Stanzer headed the Croatian Military court.

After the fall of the Independent State of Croatia, Stanzer was captured, tried and sentenced to death by the communist Partisans. Stanzer died in his cell from natural causes the night before his intended execution.