THE APRIL WAR OF 1941 IN YUGOSLAVIA - The First Army Group of the Yugoslav Army at War against the Wehrmacht

The April War of 1941 is one of the pivotal events in the history of Yugoslavia. It marked both an end and a beginning. It concluded a period that began with the formation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, but also, due to its “certain incompleteness,” gave rise to a new process, which culminated in leading to an ideological, civil, and religious war that took place on the territory of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945.

Although it lasted only twelve days (April 6 – 17, 1941), many controversies are tied to its causes, course, and consequences. Due to its “incompleteness,” numerous stereotypes are linked to it as well, ranging from the belief that the army did not resist at all, to the notion that everyone betrayed their country during the war. Some of these stereotypes were shaped by its contemporaries, the creators of great victories in the Balkan Wars and World War I, as well as their successors who grew up in that triumphant tradition, struggling to comprehend the swift collapse of the state and its armed forces. To explain such a situation, they often resorted to creating stereotypes that have persisted to this day. On the other hand, new stereotypical views of this war emerged later under the influence of communist ideology and its historiography.

CONTENTS:

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

Political Situation in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia During the Interwar Period – the Croatian and Slovenian Questions

The International Position of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia on the eve of the April War – joining the Tripartite Pact

The Coup of March 27

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR

War Industry and Import of Military EquipmentI.

Border Fortifications, Communications Obstruction and Destruction Efforts

Activation of the Military as a Measure to Increase the Security and Combat Readiness of the Country

Foreign Policy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia from March 27 to April 6 – Searching for Allies

The German and Italian War Preparations

The Yugoslav War Plans

War Plan “R-40”

War Plan “R-41”

The German and Italian War Plans

MOBILIZATION, CONCENTRATION AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

Mobilization and concentration of the units of the Yugoslav First Army Group

Concentration and strategic deployment of German-Italian forces

ATTACK OF AXIS FORCES, DEFENSE ATTEMPT, AND DISPERSION OF YUGOSLAV UNITS

April 6 – The Beginning of the Attack

April 7 – Resistance

April 8 – Rebellion

April 9 – Preparations for the Last Defense of the First Line

April 10th – Proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia: End of the First Phase of the War

SURROUNDED – THE MILITARY-POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE DRAVA BANOVINA AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NDH

Activities of the Slovenian National Council on April 10th

Final Military Operations in the Territory of Dravska Banovina

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA AND ATTEMPTS TO HALT GERMAN ADVANCEMENT

April 11th – Organizing a New Front

April 12th – General Petar Nedeljković: Commander of the “First Army Group”

April 13th – Battles at Bosanska Kostajnica

April 14 – Battles at Mrkonjić Grad

April 15 – End of Military Operations

CAPTURE, SURRENDER, AND DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM OF YUGOSLAVIA

EPILOGUE

ADDENDUMS

Command Staff of the Units of the First Army Group of the Yugoslav Army

Army General Milorad Petrović

Army General Petar J. Nedeljković

Divisional General Dušan P. Trifunović

SOURCES AND LITERATURE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR