Serbian Chetniks in cooperation with axis during WW2

[Ivan Ž.]

Cetniks with saved American pilots in village Pranjani in august 1944.
This is the airplane which will return them home...
(source: "Album srpskih cetnika...")

Ask them, George5, if cetniks were 100% on axis side.

[Ivan Ž.]

General Dragoljub Mihailovic with McDowell in Posavina, 1944.
(source: "Album srpskih cetnika...")

Third photo shows Americans making a movie about Mihailovic.

[Ivan Ž.]

Funeral of American pilot Thomas Lovett, who was killed by German anti-aircraft guns (around Cacak, July 1944.)
The man saluting is chief of police of II Ravnogorski korpus, Bojan Ristanovic.
(source: "Album srpskih cetnika...")

Notice cyliric letters on the cross ( ). Serbs mostly used just cyliric letters in those days.

[Ivan Ž.]

Gaius, collaboration with Italians, as i wrote, isn't the same thing as collaboration with Germans.
Italians helped many Serbs in Dalmacija (as you too wrote), they were evacuating and saving them from ustasas.
Italians were fascists my..., you know?
Biroli (photo with Djurisic and bishop Joanikije) wanted to change sides and fight with cetniks,
and i also have a photo with Italians ("fascists"), together with partisans.
So, no other coments on that topic.
Collaboration with Germans was a smart move anyway.
George5, do you know that Germans killed 100 Serbs for every dead German,
and 50 Serbs for a wounded German?
Would you continue fighting?
You kill 3 Germans and you have automaticly killed 300 of your own people.
Well, communists didn't care for this and they continued with killings.
(thanks a lot "liberators")
That is why i wrote that partisans were the biggest enemy.

[George5]

Gaius, i know that Kalabic had colaborated with Germans couple of times,
but he was also their enemy and his family was sent to Konc.camp as well.
Would Germans send some friend's family to K.camp? No...

What to say on this? Yes, we have dousens photos of cooperation between Serbian Chetniks and Germans, Italian Faschists and Ustasha on this thread BUT ...? I am afraid we cannot use after those photos any but. Only thing what we are able to do after those photos is to conclude that Chetniks were 100% on axis side.

After I saw those photos of cooperation between Germans, Italians and Ustasha with chetniks you cannot write word or post that will change mine mind that Chetniks were on axis side 100%. Court who will say after those photos that Chetniks are not on Axis side doesn't exist on this planet.

On many photos what Ivanwss posted here he claimed that those were chetniks but we are not able to be sure about that and maybe that were Tito's partisans? I didn't know that Chetniks like communist USSR flag or communist USSR?

Allan,
communists crime during WW2 in former Yugoslavia are not thing what we must discuss here on this thread, so please help us to keep clean this thread from things that don't belong here on this thread.


Thank you

[George5]

General Dragoljub Mihailovic with McDowell in Posavina, 1944.

I don't have a doubt that McDovell is member of US military delegation sended to see what was happiend in former Yugoslavia during WW2, especially when Serbian King and commander of the Chetniks were one period of time during WW2 in Washington and especially when Chetniks recived so much help in first two years of WW2 from alies until they found out that Chetniks were on Axis side.

General Mihailovic with colonel McDowell and a group of Ustasha. BTW I didn't know that US was send in theirs plains over former Yugoslavia during WW2 colonels so US colonel McDowell finished in Bosnia together with Mihailovic, Chetniks and Ustasha?

[Allen Milcic]

* A number of off-topic postings were removed by the Moderator. The topic of this thread is Cetnik Collaboration - crimes of the Partisans etc. may be discussed by opening a new topic in the appropriate area of the Forum. *

[Allen Milcic]

From the excellent vojska.net website:

Chetnik collaboration with NDH
During the first four to five months, until breakup between partisans and chetniks in Serbia, almost all chetnik and Serb nationalistic groups in Eastern, Central and North-West parts of Bosnia, which where in German zone of control participated in July uprising 1941 and cooperated with Partisans.

After breakup, chetnik forces and population which supported them found themselves in the rift between Ustasha and German forces on the one side and Partisans on the other. Efforts of Major Dangić in the early 1942 to find modus vivendi with Germans in Eastern Bosnia have failed, and local leaders had to find new solution to there problems. Chetnik groups which fundamentally didn't agree with NDH authorities at any point but in partisans they saw common enemy and that was the reason which removed all obstacles for collaboration which followed between NDH authorities and many chetnik detachments.

From January 1942 all NDH forces inside zones of operations came under German command and from October 1942 entire Bosnian territory between Sava river and demarcation line become Operative Zone under German rule, those agreements represented indirect way of chetnik collaboration with Germans.

First formal agreement between NDH and Bosnian Chetniks was signed on May 28th, 1942 in village Lipac, single document which covered Ozren and Trebava chetnik detachments, and covered part of Eastern Bosnia near river Bosna and railway Sarajevo-Brod (for text of agreement see microfilm no. T-314, roll 566, frames 734-736). On July 9th, amendment in form of a statement was added by which agreement regulation also cover relations of two Chetnik detachments with German and Italian forces in NDH (see Ibid, shot 739).

It seems, but NDH government doesn't state them, that two similar agreement have been signed earlier first with Uroš Drenović, commander of Chetnik detachment "Petar Kočić" in Varcar Vakuf (Mrkonjić Grad) in county office on 27th April 1942, on NDH part agreement was signed by county Marko Jundić, Home Defense Major Ervin Rataj and acting ustasha logornik K. Urumović.

Second with Lazo Tešanović (see ibid, frames 359-361). After May 28th, during next three weeks three more agreements have been signed for areas of Central and North-West parts of Bosnia. Two of them with Radoslav Radić, commander of chetnik detachment "Borje". First was signed in Banja Luka June 9th and covered Western area and second on June 14th in Prnjavor and covered Eastern area (microfilm no. T-314, roll 566, frames 740-743). Third agreement was signed with Borivoj Kerović, commander of Majevica chetnik detachment on June 15th in village Lopare (ibid, frames 746-747). In 1943 another agreement was signed with chetnik commander Radivoj Kosorić in village Kovanje, Eastern Bosnia on January 16th (ibid, frames 712-713). Biggest agreement was the one signed on May 28th, 1942. By that agreement commanders of Ozren and Trebava chetnik detachments recognized sovereignty of NDH and as her citizens expressed there loyalty to state and poglavnik, both chetnik detachments had from that day forward to cease all hostilities against military and civilian authorities of NDH. NDH authorities where to restore regular administration in chetnik areas, and chetnik detachments promised help in normalization of situation. As long as state of emergency exist, chetnik leader where to govern in there areas, under supervision of NDH authorities. Main provision (Article 5) states:

As long as there is a danger of armed partisans gangs, chetnik formations will voluntary cooperate with Croatian armed forces in fighting's and destruction of partisans and in these operations will be under the command of Croatian armed forces. In these operation chetnik commander will command there detachment.
Chetnik formations can involve themselves in operations against partisans at there own initiative, but they must report this to Croat military commanders in advance (Ibid, shot 736).

Chetnik detachments will be supplied with need ammunition by NDH military authorities. Chetniks wounded in anti-partisan operations will receive care in NDH military hospitals, and widows and orphans of chetnik soldiers killed in combat against partisans will receive direct financial aid from the state equal to one being received by widows and orphans of NDH soldiers. If possible, NDH authorities will secure release and return to there homes persons taken to concentration camps, but only at special recommendation of chetnik commanders (to avoid any partisans or there supporters). Until these persons return, financial aid will be given to there families, if need. All refuges will be able to return to there homes and, if need, will receive state aid comparable to one being given to other citizens of NDH. Serbs will be allowed trade as any other citizen.

As a sort of recapitulation of agreements with Bosnian chetniks, Poglavnik HQ (poglavnikov glavni stan) sent on July 30th 1942 to Ministry of Social care report with signature of Field-Marshall Kvaternik, in which sums up provisions of these agreements in twenty clauses which in general outlines respond to provisions stated above. Copies of the report where to be sent to committee for social care at municipality courts which decided about financial aid to families of those Home Defence soldiers which had rights to it and which also decided about paying those chetniks families which had rights to it by these agreements (see State Archive of Croatia in Zagreb for copy of this report, also see microfilm no. T-314, roll 566, frames 709-710).

Germans where for these agreements because of several reasons. First, agreements where directed against partisans which since summer of 1941 become main German problem in Yugoslavia, even in areas of Bosnia under German control; second addition of chetniks into fight against partisans reduced number of German soldiers tied to these areas; and finally these agreements helped to pacific Bosnian, North-East and North-West areas, in which Germany had important economical interests - iron ore, wood, heavy chemicals, steel and important railway lines - report of General Lüters, commander of German Army in NDH, from November 18th 1942 (microfilm no. T-314, roll 566, frames 357-358), points out both military and economical effects of agreements between NDH authorities and chetniks. On July 15th 1942 General Glaise even suggested to General Ivan Brozović in Banja Luka to form central office in Zagreb for implementation and supervision of the agreements (microfilm no. T-501, roll 276, frames 457-458). Nothing become of that suggestion because at that moment such office would represent difficulties for Ustashi regime, but as it will show later one central office was put in charge for those agreements. There is no doubt that agreement included majority of chetnik forces in Bosnia east of demarcation line, because Glaise report from November 16th 1942 to Wermacht commander for South-East Europe shows that around 10,000 bosnian chetniks has agreement with NDH authorities on the principle 'live and let others live'(Ibid, roll 264, frames 583). Map which was made by General Staff of Croatian Home Defence, dated on January 17th 1943, divides chetniks on NDH territory into three groups: Italian chetniks, concentrated around Otočac in Lika, area of Knin in Northern Dalmatia and in Eastern Herzegovina; collaborationist chetniks in Central Bosnia and in parts of East Bosnia around river Bosna; and rebel chetniks holding minor parts in North-East Bosnia and area East of Sarajevo (map can be found at Military History Institute in Belgrade).

http://www.vojska.net/ww2/ndh/chetniks/chetniks-ndh.asp

[Zlatni ljiljan]

General Mihailovic with colonel McDowell and a group of Ustasha. BTW I didn't know that US was send in theirs plains over former Yugoslavia during WW2 colonels so US colonel McDowell finished in Bosnia together with Mihailovic, Chetniks and Ustasha?

These men on this photo are certainly NOT Ustashas! These persons are actually Muslim Bosniaks - which declared themselves as "Serbs of Muslim faith". Two of them, Mustafa Mulalic and Muhamed Preljubovic, were members of general Mihailovic's staff. This photo was taken in October 1944 in Bijeljina, Preljubovic’s home town, and these guys with fezes probably were Preljubovic’s friends. They tried to recruit Muslim Bosniak in Chetniks forces, without regard for a fact that Mihailovic's Chetnik movement was planning and partially realized extermination of Bosnian Muslim population (approximately, 40.000 Muslims was killed by Mihailovic’s Chetniks).

Draza Mihailovic was a man who changed his tactics for many time. Germans first were his enemies, but in 1945 they actually became his allies. In 1941 Mihailovic was creating Great Serbia and forces under his command were exterminating Muslims in Bosnia and Sandzak, but in 1944 he believed that Muslim could be members of his Yugoslav Army in Homeland. Looks paradoxical, but that was reality in Yugoslavia 1941-1945.

[G. Trifkovic]

So,what do we got?

On one side,we have Mihailoivc's right-hand man asking for the ammunition from the Germans on at least one occasion,then we have his another close associate and commander in Montenegro awarded by Germans;comander of the biggest group of chetniks in Dalmatia pacting with Germans trough delegates; Mihailovic's commanders in Bosnia pacting with NDH all over the place; Open collaboration with the Italians from the beginning all-over the Italian zone;

On the other hand we have taking of Krusevac,rescuing 500 american airmen,blowing a few bridges and derailling a few trains,and all that only within Serbia...

So,when you compare these rough lists of their activities? Do you still get anti-fascist,no-collaboration,patriotic movement?

[G. Trifkovic]

Any info on those offensives against Draza and his men,Ivan? Really would like to see it...

Cheers,

GAius

[Ivan Ž.]

I wrote that i have left this topic, which Allen has also deleted because of my sarcasm.

[G. Trifkovic]

Damn! I was kinda counting on you,realy!info on that one you can find somewhere on net,but I don't trust it very much...

Cheers,

[George5]

Chetniks in Montenegro

Uprising

Unlike other parts of Yugoslavia, uprising in summer of 1941 in Montenegro had nation-wide character, start by communist and there supporters and also joined by Montenegro nationalist or whites (bjelaši) who favored strong relations with Serbia. There enemies were Italians and Montenegro separatists or greens (zelenaši) under leadership of Sekule Drljevića and old Montenegrin general Krste Popovića. Uprising started on 13 July 1941 but it wasn't well prepared and after few successful weeks it suffered serious defeats. Pro-Serbian nationalist admitted defeat and stooped the fighting; Partisans decisively wanted to continue. This lead to separation of there paths.

Road to collaboration

Sometime in the autumn nationalist come in contact with Italians offering them help against Partisans. Aspiration for collaboration become much stinger after Montenegrins heard for brake up between Mihailović chetniks and Partisans in Serbia. Nationalistic groups in Montenegro sent at the end of November to Serbia captain Đurišić to determine correct situation in Serbia and to make direct contact with Mihailović. During visit Mihailović give instruction to Đurišić and named him chetnik commander off all chetnik detachments in Sandžak. For commander of all chetnik forces in old Montenegro he named major Lašić. During second half of December Đurišić and Lašić started to mobilize men in Montenegro and organizing them into special units as counterparts to Partisan detachments and by middle of January 1942 these units found them self in open combat with Partisans. Conflict between two groups was speed up by two events on Partisans side. One was defeat of Partisan attack on the Italian garrison in Pljevljima at the beginning of December in which Partisans suffered several hundred dead and wounded and caused leaving of Partisans ranks and crossing over to chetniks. Second even was 'left turn' amongst Partisans and use of terror against real and potential enemies, with explanation - not always true - that they collaborate with enemy.

Collaboration with Italians

By middle of February 1942 individual chetnik commanders and commanders of the Italian Divisions started making first formal agreements. First agreement was made on 17 February between representative of colonel Baja Stanišića and commander of Italian Division 'Taro'. Soon followed by agreement between representative of captain Đurišić and military governor and commander of Italian Troops of Montenegro general Alessandro Pirzio Biroli about collaboration of Đurišić chetniks with Italian forces in the area of Division 'Venezia' and on 6 March agreement was concluded between colonel Stanišića and general Alessandro Pirzio Biroli. All this agreements implicated either joint action or independent chetnik actions against communist lead partisans. In both cases Italians provided arms and supplied chetnik formations. On 9 March numerous Montenegrins, who were professional or reserve officers of Yugoslav Royal Army, held conference in Cetinje on which as commander of all nationalist forces in Montenegro general Blažo Đukanović was chosen. It was a choice which Mihailović accepted in full and maybe even suggested himself.

http://www.vojska.net/ww2/montenegro/ch ... efault.asp

[Allen Milcic]

Cetnik General (divizijski general) Svetomir Djukic published his memoirs post-war in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Serb emigrant newspaper "Srpska zastava" (Serbian Flag). A collection of his memories was published by M. Filipovic in the book "Dokumenti Srpske zastave" (Documents from the 'Serbian Flag'), 2nd edition, Asuncion-Paraguay, 1980. The section on Djukic's meetings with Ante Pavelic as Draza Mihajlovic's emissary were re-published in the book "Povlacenje 1945 - krivci i zrtve" (Retreat of 1945 - the Guilty and the Victims), Mladost-Omega, Zagreb, 2000. I will translate excerpts of general interest for the Cetnik collaboration topic.

Svetomir Djukic - Iz sume u emigraciju (From the Forest into Emigration)

...Suddenly an adjutant awoke me from my thoughts, and told me that General Draza [Mihajlovic] was looking for me. I hurried over and found him sitting in front of his small tent, bent over and, as usual, deep in thought. When he saw me, he rose and slowly walked towards me. We sat together in a small field, and he said to me: "[Ante] Pavelic sent a priest to me as a messenger, requesting that I send an emmissary to him so that we can arrange for joint operations against the communists and Tito....I would very much like for them [the Ustase] to free our hospital, which they have captured and is currently in Studena Voda; also, that the release of the 1,200 of our men that the Ustase captured at Samac be secured. You have always sympathized with the Croats, are an able speaker yet capable of not saying too much. I do not wish to have a written agreement with the Ustase, but I would like to hear what they are thinking and what they want. We could certainly use assistance in munitions and food. In these tough times we must join even with the devil himself in order to fight communism. I will give you full powers to negotiate with Pavelic and even with the Allies if the possibility arises...[Mihajlovic then continues in a monologue about the evils of Communism, eventually indicating that Vladimir Predavac, Nesko Nedic and General Trifunovic will accompany Djukic on his mission to meet with Pavelic]...

Text of the 'Power of Attorney' that Mihajlovic signed for Djukic: "General Svetomir S. Djukic of the Headquarters of the Army of the Homeland is hereby granted full authority, in my name, for military negotiations with a view of joint combat operations against the communist party of Yugoslavia, in accordance with my verbal instructions. Signed: Chief of Staff, Army General Drag. M. Mihajlovic"

To be continued...in the next chapter Djukic describes making his way to Slavonski Brod, his meeting with Ustasa troops, his escorted travel to Zagreb, and his meetings with Pavelic, Luburic(!) and Artukovic.

Allen/