Background Material on Krunoslav Draganovic
In this report from the Rome Detatchment of the US Army's Counter-Intelligence Corps, Agents Caniglia and Ragonetti spell out what was known to their office in October of 1946: That Ante Pavelic was being protected by Father Krunoslav Draganovic, quite possibly with Vatican approval. The agents note that Draganovic "is considered the most important person" among the clique of Croatian Catholic priests in Rome, including his nominal superior, Dominic Mandic. It also mentions a report that Draganovic tipped off Ljubo Milos, a former high official at the Jasenovac concentration camp, before he could be arrested. Milos later became one of the primary commanders in a secret anti-Tito army called the Krizari, or "Crusaders," until his arrest, trial, and execution by the Yugoslav authorities.

 

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE CORPS
ROME DETACHMENT
ZONE FIVE
APO 512, US ARMY

 

APR:md

10 October 1946

Case No. B-4240

 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

SUBJECT: DRAGANOVIC, Krunoslav Don.

RE: Preliminary Background Material.

 

1. Pursuant to instructions from the Supervising Agent, this office and at the request of CIC, A-HQ, the following information concerning Subject is on record in the files of this office.

2. Subject is presently located at Borgo Santo Spirito, No. 41, Rome, telephone -561076.

3. Subject is secretary of "Confraternita Croata", Church of San Girolamo, Rome, and is considered the most important person in the fraternity. This organization is known to have issued false identity cards to war criminals of USTASCIA background enabling them to escape Allied authorities.

4. This organization has a priest named Dominic MANDIC as a representative from the Vatican.

5. Subject was former secretary of Bishop SARIC. He keeps well informed as to Allied plans to apprehend USTASCIA activists. At one time Subject advised a Ljubo MILOS to escape from "Camp Fermo" as he was a wanted person. Subject is reported to be in communication with Ante PAVELIC former dictator of Croatia and leader of USTASCIA.

6. Subject possesses good documents and travels quite frequently.

 

AGENTS' RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that this report be sent to CIC, HQ, AFH, for their information and disposition.

 

[signed] LOUIS S. CANIGLIA
Special Agent, CIC

[signed] ANTHONY P. RAGONETTI
Special Agent, CIC

 

:: filing information ::
Title: Background Material on Krunoslav Draganovic
Source: US Army, declassified.
Date: October 10, 1946 Added: May 17, 2004