Yugoslavian partisan fighter Yasha Ryder or Ryter

[alaskaray]

Hello. This is my first time in this forum. I am trying to find some information on a Yugoslavian partisan fighter during WWII. He was also one of Tito's bodyguards. I have been unable to find any information so far because I believe I do not have the correct spelling of his name. In English it would be pronounced Yasha Ryder or Ryter, but the spelling is probably closer to Rjuter, Rjyter, or Rjyder. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ray

[Johaaanan]

Hehe, looks like I'm turning into a specialist at out-of-date-posts-replying.

An interesting fellow, spelled Jaša Rajter actually ( something like Yasha Riter in English ). Birth name most probably Jakov, athough even his tombstone at the famous Belgrade cemetary ''Aleja Velikana'' ( the fact he was burried there speaks that the man was important ) says Yasha.

b. 1913, Zagreb, - d. 1990, Belgrade
Yugoslav citizen, ethnic German, Jewish.
Member of the Yugoslav Communist Party long before the war, but as an ethnic German had a mission to 'mix in' the nazi-dominated pre-war organisation of German minority in Yugoslavia ''Kulturbund'' ( communists had at least 2 mayor agents there, which proved very significant afterwards ).
He wasn't exactly Tito's bodygard, but he was the key person who brought Tito out of Belgrade to the liberated zone in September 1941. They managed by using Yasha's ethnicity and 'Kulturbund' membership card ( and a false ID of Kosta Pecanac's cetniks for Tito ), two beautiful ladies, and a fluent converastion in perfect German language. It was the time when Gestapo was closing in on Tito ( and most of the other members of the Central Commity ) in Belgrade, and the escape was done in the last minute.
( some details on this, in English, you may find in: ''Tito, Mihailović, and the allies, 1941-1945'', Walter R. Roberts, Duke University Press, 1987 )

After the war he was managing couple of high ranking official positions in Serbian goverment, but he is best known as the long time director of Belgrade Fair, and one of the most prominent managers of his time.
Also a huge fun of car racing. A photo of him in 1969 ( the one holding the coup ):

[G. Trifkovic]

Hi all,

the episode Johaaanan mentions was dramatized in the first part of TV-mini series "Odlazak ratnika, povratak marsala" (TV Beograd, 1986). Jasa Rajter was played by Aleksandar Alac:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191710/

Cheers,

G.

[Johaaanan]

Hi, Gaius,

In well known Montenegrin promptness fashion, I just may add that the gossips about the man being a 'shadow world of power' member, and some Slovenian CP member's war- time acusations of his 'shadowly deeds' have never been supported by any evidence, and therefore we'll hopefully leave the man rest in piece without adding those to the subject.
I have also never seen the one you mentioned, and would like to, is there perhapse any link to find it on the net?

Ivan

[G. Trifkovic]

Hi, Gaius,

In well known Montenegrin promptness fashion, I just may add that the gossips about the man being a 'shadow world of power' member, and some Slovenian CP member's war- time acusations of his 'shadowly deeds' have never been supported by any evidence, and therefore we'll hopefully leave the man rest in piece without adding those to the subject.
I have also never seen the one you mentioned, and would like to, is there perhapse any link to find it on the net?

Ivan

Ivane,

the age-old Bosnian inclination to parry the Montenegrins whenever they can is responsible for this timely answer to your post. As for your question, yes, just type in "odlazak ratnika povratak marsala" on the Youtube, and you'll be ready to go.

Uzivaj,

G.

[G. Trifkovic]

Tito and Jasa Rajter after the war: