the siege of sarajevo 1943

8/9/2019 The Siege of Sarajevo 1943

1/37


2/37

Miloslav Samardzi

The Siege of Sarajevo 1943

(Parts of the book:

Miloslav Samardi

S!"S #$#%ST T& '&!M#&T# &istor) of 'orld 'ar T*o i+ ,-goslavia

"ased o+ .revio-sl) -+k+o*+ $erma+ do/-me+ts

Pogledi0 rag-jeva/0 211

Tra+slatio+: %ebojsa Mali5

2


3/37

T#"6 78 7%T%TS

The Siege of Sarajevo 4

7/tober 10 1943

7/tober 1;0 1943 !S 3;

3


4/37

17. The Siege of Sarajevo

#fter the defeat o+ the ?ab-ka Pass@Mesii@!ogati/a li+e0 the $erma+s retreated far to the*est0 to the Sokola/@Mokro@Pale li+e Sokola/ is 4 km a+d Pale km *est of !ogati/a0

*hile Mokro is bet*ee+ these t*o to*+s The Sokola/@Mokro@Pale li+e0 3 km lo+g0 *as thelast defe+se of Sarajevo fa/i+g the east #+other li+e to the +orth@+orth*est *o-ld be ma++ed

b) a regime+t de.lo)ed bet*ee+ AogoBa a+d Semizova/ # so-ther+ li+e *as bei+g .re.aredo+ the o-tskirts of the /it) as *ell

There *ere0 ho*ever0 +o $erma+ defe+ses fa/i+g *est or so-th*est C be/a-se those *ereareas *ith Partisa+ .rese+/e &o*ever0 the Partisa+s had +ot atta/ked a si+gle to*+ held b)deta/hme+ts of the 3;9th$erma+ =ivisio+0 so *est a+d so-th*est of Sarajevo there *ere still+-mero-s #Dis garriso+s

# se+te+/e i+ the dail) re.ort of the EA Mo-+tai+ #rm) or.s0 dated 7/tober


5/37

6ater i+ the da) o+ 7/tober 10 the 7.eratio+al 6og of the 3;9th=ivisio+ re/orded a skirmish*ith the het+iks that took .la/e o+ 7/tober


6/37

er0 MaIva a+d #vala or.s -+der /omma+d of Maj =ragoslav !aIi0 from the

+ortheast (to Sokola/50

&O $ro-. of the "os+ia omma+d0 led b) 6t ol Jaharije 7stoji0 *ith at least o+e

Mobile "rigade a+d the =ri+a or.s of Maj #leksa =raBkovi0 from the east (to Pale5

1st"os+ia or.s of Maj Milorad MomIilovi0 from the so-theast (o-t of ali+ovik

a+d Tr+ovo5

T*o batteries of artillert)0 of vario-s /alibers

This order of battle i+di/ates that o+e dire/tio+ *as left -+/overed C so-th*est0 the road a+drail*a) to*ards o+ji/ There are t*o .ossibilities: that this *as deliberatel) left o.e+ for a+#Dis *ithdra*al0 or that it *as /overed b) other -+its0 b-t +o do/-me+ts s-rvived to /o+firmit

#/t-all)0 almost the e+tire stor) of the 1943 battle for Sarajevo is o+l) +o* emergi+g0 tha+ksto the do/-me+ts fo-+d at theBundesArchiv. H+ additio+ to o.eratio+ details of the battles0i+formatio+ abo-t the +-mber of het+iks i+ the area had bee+ /aref-ll) s-..ressed forde/ades Th-s the stre+gth of the !oma+ija or.s *as offi/iall) /o+sidered to be abo-t 30me+ C altho-gh its area of res.o+sibilit) *as a vast territor) +orth0 east a+d so-th of Sarajevo0a+d it had eight brigades: 1sta+d 2+dSarajevo0 1sta+d 2+d!ogati/a0 1sta+d 2+d!oma+ija0Alase+i/a a+d ali+ovik

The+ i+ the te+@da) re.ort of the 3;9th=ivisio+0 dated 7/tober 10 19430 there are refere+/es

to F=eriko+jaKs het+iks +orth of SarajevoG (ie the 1stSarajevo "rigade50 a+d estimates of -.to 0 het+iks i+ the area of AisokoCAareBC7lovoCAlase+i/aCSokola/ (2115 6ooki+g atthe ma.0 these to*+s form a *ide ar/ +orth of Sarajevo0 a+d *ere the area of o.eratio+s of theJe+i/a a+d !oma+ija or.s

#//ordi+g to the earlier me+tio+ed dail) re.ort of the 3;9th=ivisio+ of 7/tober


7/37

b-rial This list is a testimo+ial to the lo+g *ar .ath of the 1st!ogati/a "rigade0 from Sa+daki+ the east to +i+ i+ the *est0 a+d from &erzegovi+a i+ the so-th to &a+ Pijesak i+ the +orth

33 het+iks of the 1st!ogati/a "rigade died i+ battles agai+st the >stasha C as %eBkovireferred to all the formatio+s of the H+de.e+de+t State of roatia 2 *ere killed fighti+g the

Partisa+d a+d 2< fighti+g the $erma+s #mo+g the killed is o+e offi/er: 2+d6ie-te+a+t AojkoQvoro from Selja+i0 killed *hile fighti+g the $erma+s i+ AiBegrad0 a+d b-ried i+ Pozderii7thers *ere +o+@/ommissio+ed offi/ers C 2 of them C a+d e+listed me+ 8ive members ofthe 1st!ogati/e died i+ AiBegrad0 a+other five at Seme0 a+d a+other five at Ma+dra het+iksof the 1st!ogati/a "rigade died fighti+g the $erma+s i+ t*elve more .la/es0 o+e of *hi/h*as ali+ovik C *hi/h obvio-sl) ha..e+e do+ Ma) 120 19430 the first da) of F7.eratio+S/h*artzG (2125

&ere is ho* eve+ts -+folded o+ the Sarajevo fro+t0 da) b) da)

October 15, 1943:

#//ordi+g to the dail) re.ort of the $erma+ EA or.s for 7/tober 10 larger Partisa+ -+its*ere *est of Sarajevo0 threate+i+g Je+i/a0 Trav+ik0 Javidovii0 iseljak a+d the railroad too+ji/ Some Partisa+ -+its *ere Fo+ the mar/h so-th0G *here their /lashes *ith het+iks i+&erzegovi+a *ere +oted The $erma+s left o+e battalio+ of the 92+dMotorized !egime+t i+Trav+ik0 *hile the majorit) of this -+it *as o+ the move to*ard Sarajevo ast of Sarajevo0the het+iks atta/ked a trai+ +ear Stamboli The re.ort goes o+:

F!ogati/a take+ b) het+iks 3rd"attalio+R3th!egime+t movi+g from PraIa to Pale

het+iks striki+g *est*ard 7-r troo.s i+ *ithdra*al to the li+e Sokola/CMokroCPaleG

The EA or.s omma+d de/ided to rede.lo) a+other -+it from the area *est of Sarajevo tothe fro+t agai+st the het+iks: the $erma+ 1st!eserve ?aeger !egime+t The -+it *astra+sferred from iseljak to a /rossroads for Pale a+d Sokola/0 < km east of Sarajevo #Dislosses that da) *ere F; dead0 24 *o-+ded0 missi+g roats a+d 4 >stasha *o-+dedG *hileFe+em) lossesG *ere -+k+o*+ to the or.s omma+d (2135

#t 113 o+ 7/tober 10 the 3;9th=ivisio+ log +oted the eD/ha+ge bet*ee+ the =ivisio+ 7

a+d the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+0 *hi/h follo*s:

F=ivisio+ 7 a+d 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ hold a .ri+/i.led .ositio+ that removi+g these/-rit) -+its from Sarajevo is hardl) .ossible0 be/a-se i+ /ase of a+ atta/k o+Sarajevo .rese+/e of troo.s i+side the /it) *o-ld be reL-ired to s-..ressi+s-rre/tio+s

Ht is -rge+t to rei+for/e -+its i+ the east0 be/a-se the e+em) is slo*l) .-shi+g thro-ghthe li+e PaleCMokroCSokola/ To relieve the sit-atio+0 the the sit-atio+0 the 7.eratio+sSe/tio+ .ro.oses to the 7:

7


8/37

a5 =e.lo) the 1st?aeger !egime+t east of Srajevo a+d leave the se/-rit)/om.a+ies i+ Sarajevo itself

b5 !ei+for/e the o-ter defe+se li+es *ith the >stasha !e/r-it "attalio+ a+d lo/alreserves of the roatia+ HHH or.s

/5 =e.lo) .oli/e a+d se/-rit) -+its to g-ard .osts .revio-sl) ma++ed b) the 1st?aeger !egime+t

d5 Set a+ earlier /-rfe* for the /ivilia+ .o.-latio+

e5 Possibl) de/lare a state of siege

The 7 is i+ agreeme+t *ith the .ro.osals 7rder to .ro/laim a state of siege *illde.e+d -.o+ talks *ith /omma+ders of the territorial .oli/e a+d militar) /omma+dG(2145

#t 12 ho-rs0 the HHH roatia+ or.sK hief of Staff re.orted to the 3;9th=ivisio+ that FPaleis .o.-lated b) a majorit) 7rthodoD .o.-latio+G a+d therefore Fthere is da+ger that the) *illdis/lose to the het+iks o-r +e* .ositio+sG #fter this re.ort0 the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ Fordersarrests of hostagesG (215

#t 122 ho-rs0 the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ i+L-ired at the Ev or.s omma+d abo-t the arrival ofthe 92+dMotorized !egime+t0 /o+/l-di+g: Fhet+iks east of Sarajevo are ver) stro+gSomethi+g is also bei+g .re.ared i+ Sarajevo itself %ight .assed L-iet i+ Trav+ik %e*rei+for/eme+t *ill be +eeded -+/o+ditio+all)G (21;5

October 16, 1943:

#t 2 o+ 7/tober 1;0 the 3rd"attalio+R3th!egime+t re.orted that F%edi reg-lars seizedPraIaG (24 km east of Pale0 44 km east of Sarajevo5 F!o-tedG #Dis formatio+s @ .robabl)mea+i+g theDomobrani0 *ere Fdisarmed a+d let go *ith .assesG Ht *as these Fro-tedG me+that bro-ght *ord of the fall of PraIa The 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ i+formed the 3rd"attalio+ thatthe) *o-ld be *ithdra*+ f-rther to the *est0 to the /rossroads for Sokola/ a+d Pale0 *herethe 1st?aeger !egime+t *as de.lo)i+g from the other side (215

?-st as a +ote here0 the 3rd

"attallio+ *as mistake+l) /alli+g !aIiKs me+ F%ediKs -+itsG (aseD.lai+ed i+ ha.ter 1;0 be/a-se the) *ere from o//-.ied Serbia5 C b-t eve+ that is +ota//-rate0 be/a-se the -+it the) *ere fighti+g *as a/t-all) the =ri+a or.s

#t 94 the 3;9th=ivisio+ omma+d re.orted to the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ that all the -+its hadarrived i+ the area of Pale0 *here the) *ere .la/ed -+der /omma+d of ol &ammers/hmidt#ll -+its *ere ordered to re/o++oiter to*ards the so-th0 so-theast0 east a+d +orth0 a+d eve+the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ itself *as se+t i+to the field (21


9/37

October 17th 1943:

#t 140 the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks o.eratio+s log re/orded:

F#rea Sokola/CPale: e+em) seized PraIa a+d the heights o+ both sides of railroad li+e

PodgrabCSjetli+a >stasha from Sokola/ re.ort: 2 het+iks at .ositio+ Javari+eG(225

6ater i+ the da)0 the roatia+ #ir 8or/e re.orted res-lts of the areal re/o++aissa+/e alo+g thedire/tio+s SarajevoC!ogati/aC? ab-kaC$orade a+d ?ab-kaCPraIaCPale "ridges o+ bothsides of the railroad for $orade *ere destro)ed0 *hile the bridges +ear PraIa still *ereFi+ta/tG

The air/raft bombed a+d strafed t*o villages i+ the area of !ogati/a roats tho-ght that aFhet+ik &OG *as s-..osedl) i+ o+e of them0 =edovii (2215

#t 144 ho-rs the EA or.s 7 ordered the 1st?aeger !egime+t to adva+/e Fto $oradeG0a+d the 92+dMotorized !egime+t C *itho-t the 1st"attalio+0 *hi/h *as left i+ Trav+ik C toadva+/e Fto !ogati/aG The or.s 7 ordered: F6i+e !ogati/a C$orade has to be held0 a+d?ab-ka Pass take+G The 3;9th=ivisio+ 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ advised that Fthe li+e /a+ be seized

b-t it /a++ot be held *ith available =ivisio+ for/esG The or.s 7 +o+etheless ordered the92+d!egime+t0 *hi/h *as s-..osed to arrive i+ Sarajevo the follo*i+g da)0 to seize !ogati/ao+ the da) after (2225

") this time the 1st?aeger !egime+t *as alread) e+gagi+g the het+iks i+ the dire/tio+ of

PraIa 6ie-te+a+t Seifert from this -+it re.orted at 11:The e+em) retreati+g from PraIa si+/e 1 1st?aeger !egime+t *ith its mai+ for/erea/hi+g Aitez i+ the eve+i+g ho-rs +em) /leared from the heights aro-+d PraIaPraIa seized *ith little resista+/e from the e+em) The bridges i+ta/t0 s-..ortsdamaged !ailroad bridge destro)edG (2235

Aitez is a village lo/ated abo-t 1 km east of Pale

#t 130 the roatia+ HHH or.s re.orted abo-t its o*+ a/tivities i+ this se/tor:

FT*o gro-.s of s/o-ts re/o++oitered the area i+ the dire/tio+ Sokola/CA-kosavljeviiC "ogovii %ear A-kosavljevii0 e+em) /o+ta/t *ith 1 het+iks0that *ithdre* -+der the .ress-re to*ard !oma+ija "-r+ed ho-ses from *here fire*as o.e+ed

7*+ loses: 3 *o-+ded

+em) loses: -+k+o*+

6oot: o+e /ase of amm-+itio+ lost

9


10/37

") re/o++aissa+/e from the dire/tio+ of Sokola/ to*ard !ogati/a0 *e fo-+de+tre+/hme+ts +ear JvarB+i/a a+d Aita+j +em) stre+gth: het+iks +em) &Ois i+ =edovii

Perma+e+t >stasha rear@area .ost o+ !oma+ija atta/ked0 o-t/ome still -+k+o*+G

(2245

?-st before mid+ight0 the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ i+formed the 1st?aeger!egime+t that the roatia+ ;thMo-+tai+ !egime+t *o-ld be tra+sferred from Pale to AareBThe 1st?aeger !egime+t *o-ld retai+ /o+trol o+l) of the 1st"attalio+R;throatia+ !egime+t0 a

batter) of ho*itzers0 a+d the armored trai+ 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ ordered: F#s soo+ as .ossibletake over .ositio+s of the ;thMo-+tai+ !egime+tG The Pale !ail*a) Statio+ *as ordered to

.re.are three tra+s.ort trai+s for the tra+sfer of the ;thMo-+tai+ to AareB0 b) o+ 7/tober1stasha "rigade a+d .arts of the ;thMo-+tai+ a+d 9th#rtiller) regime+ts Stre+gth of the #Dis -+its *as /lose to 10 soldiers

H+ the mor+i+g of 7/tober 1


11/37

#//ordi+g to the re.ort of the roatia+ HHH or.s0 o+e /om.a+) of >stasha s/o-ted the li+eStari $radCUahbegovii 'hile the /om.a+) ret-r+ed to "ijela Aoda0 it *as atta/ked b) 4@het+iks0 *ho *ere allegedl) ro-ted #t the same time the >stasha *ho s/o-ted from Sokola/to*ard ratelj *ere atta/ked b) @; het+iks The 3;9th=ivisio+Ks 7.eratio+s Se/tio+Fbegged for re/o++aissa+/eG (i+ those ver) *ords5 for the follo*i+g da)0 7/tober 19 (235

Uahbegovii are lo/ated *est of Sokola/0 *hi/h mea+s that the 1st>stasha "rigade *as +ots-rro-+ded o+l) from the dire/tio+ of Pale

#t 212 ho-rs0 the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks o.eratio+s log re/orded:

Fomma+d of !ailroad Statio+ Sarajevo re.orts b) radio: !ailroad Statio+ Semizova/re.orts that a g-ardsma+ from !eljevo +oti/ed that a gro-. of het+iks /ame a+ddisarmed =omobra+Ks tra+s.ort The g-ardsme+ from !eljevo fled !ailroad Statio+!eljevo is +ot seizedG

Semizova/ is lo/ated at the +orth*est eDit from Sarajevo0 +ear AogoBa Te+ mi+-tes later0olo+el &ildebra+d re.orted that the 2+d"attalio+R92+d!egime+t Fis lo/ated at +orther+ edgeof AogoBaG0 re.orti+g +e* i+formatio+: Fhet+iks atta/ked a+d took a*a) the 3rd"attalio+0;throatia+ !egime+t +orth of !eljevo0 aboard the fo-rth tra+s.ort trai+G (2315

That *as the battalio+ *hi/h had s-ffered the heaviest losses i+ AiBegrad a+d at Seme 8ield

olo+el &ildebra+d /alled at 22 ho-rs0 *he+ the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ told him to de.lo) o+e/om.a+) Fto*ard !eljevo0 *hi/h *as seized b) het+iksG (2325

The follo*i+g mor+i+g0 *he+ re.orts from !ajlova/ airfield arrived0 the $erma+s re/eived+e* i+formatio+ The het+iks had +ot /a.t-red the e+tire battalio+0 b-t o+l) seve+

DomobraniC g-ards at the !ailroad Statio+ !eljevo C *ho *ere stri..ed of arms a+damm-+itio+ #llegedl) it *as o+e /om.a+) of het+iks0 *hi/h had /rossed over the "os+a!iver0 a+d ret-r+ed i+ the dire/tio+ of r+i Arh *he+ it *as atta/ked b) a s/o-ti+gdeta/hme+t from !ajlova/ (2335

H+ the area of r+i Arh0 abo-t 1 km +orth*est of Sarajevo0 *as the 1stSarajevo "rigade of2+d6t Savo =eriko+ja

6ater d-ri+g the da)0 it *as established that the !ailroad Statio+ !eljevo *as +ot atta/ked b)a /om.a+) b-t o+l) a sL-ad of eight to te+ het+iks 7+e of the seve+ /a.t-redDomobranima+aged to es/a.e (2345

#t 213 ho-rs0 the o.eratio+s log re/orded i+formatio+ from the 1st?aeger !egime+t s/o-ts#mo+g other thi+gs0 it sa)s:

F7+ 7/tober 10 *e +oti/ed i+divid-als a+d gro-.s of armed /ivilia+s0 te+ me+ stro+g0some *ith .a/k a+imals Troo.s moved from easter+ dire/tio+ to*ard the villages of!aIi+ovii a+d 6-ke0 *here the) off@load large boDes from .a/k a+imals a+d hide

them i+ the b-shes

11


12/37

s.e/iall) i+ the villages of !aIi+ovii a+d 7sat+i/a0 /ivilia+s a+d me+ i+ gree+-+iforms /o+sta+tl) gathered a+d s.lit -.

H+ the +ight of 7/tober 1@1


13/37

&eav) loses of the e+em)

7*+ loses: 1 dead0 4 *o-+ded0 abo-t missi+g The !egime+t is ret-r+i+g to AitezG

The /omma+d of the 1st?aeger !egime+t agai+ re.orted at 1;1 ho-rs:

F7*+ loses are i+/reased to 3 dead0 *o-+ded 6osses of the e+em) estimated to 1dead Stre+gth of the e+em): /o-.le of h-+dreds of -+iformed het+iks a+d abo-t 1i+ *hite shirts a+d folk attireG (23


14/37

#t 192 ho-rs0 the 7 of the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks s-..l) se/tio+ re.orted of Fi+/reased a/tivit) ofhet+ik s/o-ts at 7kr-gli/aG0 east of =abravi+a0 or rather "reza (abo-t 1 km +orth ofAogoBa5 (2445

#t 2 ho-rs the 3;9th=ivisio+ omma+dKs 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ ordered a.tai+ &ei+ri/h0

/omma+der of the se/-rit) /om.a+)0 to go to Pale *ith his -+it0 so he *o-ld Ftake overse/-rit) of the to*+G The /om.a+) *as s-bordi+ated to the 1st?aeger !egime+t (245

#lso at 2 ho-rs0 the 1st?aeger !egime+t se+t a re.ort of se+di+g re/o++aissa+/e to*ardasi+dol0 ?abla+i/a0 &ras+i/a0 "-tmir a+d other to*+s so-th of Sarajevo The) had /a.t-redo+e het+iks messe+ger from otora/ ( km so-th*est of Sarajevo5 d-ri+g i+terrogatio+ hesaid that a gro-. of het+iks *o-ld be arrivi+g soo+ to .la+ a+ atta/k o+ "-tmir #ir.ort#//ordi+g to stateme+ts of .easa+ts0 smaller gro-.s of het+iks *ere see+ i+ the dire/tio+ ofTr+ovo (24;5

#t 2 ho-rs a+other re.ort *as re/orded The roatia+ HHH or.s re.orted that i+ otora/0 *ell@armed i+s-rge+ts seized 2 roatia+ laborers0 *hi/h had *orked for the F6-ft*affeGThe *orkers *ere take+ to %eVarii0 *here their /lothi+g (ie -+iforms5 *as take+ a*a)0 a+dthe+ the) *ere released =-ri+g the .revio-s +ight0 a+ armored trai+ /ollided *ith a freighttrai+ bet*ee+ Semizova/ a+d HlijaB0 b-t there *as +o i+formatio+ *hether that *as /a-sed b)sabotage (245

#t 222 the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ i+formed the 92+d!egime+tKs /omma+d thato+e of their battalio+s had alread) boarded a trai+ for Pale Te+ mi+-tes later0 the 7.eratio+sSe/tio+ asked the SS =ivisio+ to se+d their 3rd"attalio+R2+d!egime+t to Pale (24+der the item FH+te+tG it *as orderi+g re/o++aissa+/e from the li+e Sokola/CMokroCAitez east*ard i+ siD dire/tio+s0 *ith FsiD stro+g ?aeger -+itsG0 the+ Fre/o++aissa+/eat remai+i+g se/-rit) areasG as *ell as bri+gi+g +e* rei+for/eme+t to Pale (2495

#t 112 ho-rs the 7 of the 2+d"attalio+R13thSS !egime+t re.orted his arrival i+ Pale Soo+the 3rdom.a+) of this battalio+ arrived0 havi+g bee+ Fse+t to mar/h to*ard Mokro as .erorder of the ge+eralG at 12 2 ho-rs (25

#t 1 ho-rsm the !ailroad Statio+ Sarajevo re.orted a+ atta/k o+ the armored trai+ i+Sjetli+a0 *hi/h took .la/e abo-t 13 ho-rs There *ere +o loses (215

#t 1 ho-rs the 1st?aeger !egime+t re.orted that s/o-ts i+ Aitez had +oti/ed a gro-.i+g ofhet+iks Fat bridge


15/37

time0 the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ ordered that Farmored trai+ "istri/a be se+t to "reza at o+/eG (tothe +orth*est5 (225

#t 1stasha"rigade from Sokola/ The "rigade re.orted for the first time e+/o-+teri+g the Partisa+s +ear

oB-ti/a # se/o+d re/o++aissa+/e gro-. /ame a/ross het+iks +ear Podb-kovi/a a+d aFbrief /lashG follo*ed 7+e dead a+d o+e *o-+ded *ere re.orted as Fe+em) losesG (235

#t 191 ho-rs0 the EA or.s o.eratio+s se/tio+ reje/ted the reL-est of the 3;9th=ivisio+Kso.eratio+s se/tio+ that the 1st"attalio+ of the 92+dMotorized !egime+t Fbe e+gaged i+ theeastG

#t 19 ho-rs0 the SS =ivisio+ i+formed that its "attalio+ moves i+ +i+e trai+s The arrival ofthe last t*o trai+s *as eD.e/ted i+ t*o da)s

#t 214 ho-rs is a re.ort from 1st

?aeger !egime+t from Aitez *as re/orded0 sa)i+g amo+gother thi+gs:

Froatia+ mo-+tai+ artiller) disr-.ted smaller moveme+ts of het+iks i+ a valle) +earSjetli+a a+d *ith the hel. of a+ armored trai+ mo+itors a railroad bridge a+d the valle)to*ard the so-theast The light armored trai+0 *hose $erma+ /re* attem.ted to re.airtele/omm-+i/atio+ li+es0 *as atta/ked #+other atta/k follo*ed i+ Sjetli+a from +ortha+d so-th at abo-t 1; ho-rs 7bservi+g *ith bi+o/-lars from Aitez0 *e +oti/ed me+des/e+di+g the so-ther+ ro/k fa/e of Mt !oma+ija *ith /ables aro-+d 1 ho-rs#bo-t 19 the gatheri+g site for the FAasalK for/e /ame -+der fire briefl)G (245

October 21st 1943:

The dail) briefi+g b) the EA Mo-+tai+ or.s for 7/tober 21 me+tio+ed +e* eve+ts from the.revio-s da): /lashes of the 1st?aeger !egime+t *ith Fsmaller gro-.s of het+iksG +ear Si.a+d $aleB0 *hi/h *ere Fdrive+ ba/kG to*ards the east a+d so-th (25

Most of the a/tivit) o+ 7/tober 21 *as o+ the Sarajevo fro+t The 3;9th=ivisio+Ks o.eratio+slog does +ot /over the eve+ts /hro+ologi/all)0 be/a-se ma+) re.orts arrived after*ards 'ehave re/o+str-/ted here a /hro+olog) of eve+ts0 kee.i+g i+ mi+d that some *ere logged o-t oforder (2;5:

F#t 2 ho-rs0 *ith the hel. of a+ armored trai+0 het+ik atta/k at Stambolii *as

re.elledG states the do/-me+t

Fo+ta/t *ith Sokola/ +o lo+ger eDists0G 3rd"attalio+R3th!egime+t re.orted at 11

ho-rs

The SS /om.a+) that tho-ld have moved to "reza *as still i+ Mokro0 so the

7.eratio+s Se/tio+ of the 3;9th=ivisio+ re.eated the order

# /om.a+) of 1 >stasha +ear 7rlovii /ame a/ross to a 1C1 stro+g het+iks-..l) sL-ad0 *hi/h Fdis.ersed after a short fightG There *ere +o losses

15


16/37


17/37

#t 19 ho-rs0 1 het+iks atta/k .arts of the 1st>stasha "rigade i+ Pohova/

F#fter a t*o@ho-r fight the e+em) *as re.elled *itho-t o*+ loses to*ard the +orthThe e+em) had t*o dead (/o-+ted5 a+d 1 *o-+ded (a+ estimate5G sa)s the >stashare.ort

heti+k artiller) str-/k .ositio+s of the 1st>stasha "rigade at Sokola/ from thedire/tio+ of so-th C so-theast

#ro-+d 220 the het+iks atta/ked the railroad statio+s HlijaB a+d AogoBa0 +orth*est

of Sarajevo

het+iks atta/k Semizova/ roatia+ olo+el Stefoti re.orted to 3;9th=ivisio+ that

the *as dire/ted b) olo+el "orota

T*o Wehrmachtvehi/les atta/ked meters +orth of Semizova/ Three $erma+s

*ere *o-+ded

F3 roats *o-+ded d-ri+g the /a.t-re of a /argo ha-ler b) het+iks o+ 7/tober 21 at

211 ho-rs0 meters from Semizova/G0 said the EA or.s re.ort

"et*ee+ Semizova/ a+d HlijaB (; km a*a)50 the het+iks demolished the railroad

tra/ks i+ several .la/es 'orkers *ere se+t to re.air the railroad0 b-t ret-r+ed Fbe/a-sethe se/tio+ /ame -+der fireG Prote/tio+ *as -rge+tl) reL-ested The $erma+s tho-ghtthat these atta/ks had Faimed to rea/h "rezaG0 some 2 km +orth*est of Sarajevo#bo-t +oo+ o+ 7/tober 220 the 92+dMotorized !egime+t re.orted that fire *aseDti+g-ished at the bridge over "os+a !iver +ear Semizova/ a+d that it *as agai+

.assable for /argo vehi/les

This *as the revie* of eve+ts of 7/tober 210 19430 a//ordi+g to the o.eratio+s log of the3;9th=ivisio+ 7+e het+ik@#meri/a+ do/-me+t abo-t these eve+ts also s-rvived: thestateme+t of Major #leksa =raBkovi to the >S Militar) Missio+

=raBkovi first +oted the /a.t-re of PraIa0 o+ 7/tober 2: FThe e+em) ma+aged to *ithdra**ith +egligible losesG0 said =raBkovi0 *hile o+ the other side his =ri+a or.s had +o/as-alties The het+iks had .revio-sl) liberated this to*+0 b-t eleme+ts of the 1st?aeger

!egime+t re/a.t-red it =raBkovi the+ said that the het+iks had /a.t-red Stambolii o+7/tober 21 F'e had 3 killed0 *o-+ded0 *hile the e+em) had ma+) killed a+d *o-+ded'e /a.t-red $erma+ soldiersG0 he said i+ his stateme+t (25

#ll of these a/tivities d-ri+g 7/tober 21*ere -+dertake+ to /o+/eal the mai+ obje/tive of theatta/k: the destr-/tio+ of the 1st>stasha "rigade i+ Sokola/ The atta/k o+ Sokola/ *as totake .la/e i+ the +ight bet*ee+ 7/tober 21 a+d 22 &o*ever0 before the atta/k /o-ld begi+0the het+iksK fro+t +ear Sarajevo *as thro*+ i+to disarra) The $erma+s had +o /l-e abo-tthis0 +ot o+ 7/tober 22 +or o+ the follo*i+g da) "efore the) /o-ld la-+/h their atta/k o+ the>stasha0 the het+iks *ere atta/ked from behi+d b) the Partisa+s0 *ith all the mobile -+its attheir dis.osal

17


18/37

18. Siege of Sarajevo !"s

Si+/e 19420 $erma+ re.orts from the "alka+s have /o+sidered the .ossibilit) of het+iks a+dPartisa+s -+iti+g agai+st the 'ehrma/ht 7+/e Htal) s-rre+dered0 the $erma+s be/ame/o+vi+/ed s-/h a -+io+ had take+ .la/e FThe het+iks o-ght to have made a+ -+dersta+di+g*ith the omm-+ists0G said a re.ort of the 3;9th=ivisio+ from 7/tober 10 1943 (2


19/37

#+other +ote i+ the *ar diar)0 testif)i+g to the .revaili+g mis/o+/e.tio+ is dated 7/tober 230late i+ the eve+i+g: WW22: Sergea+t !i/k re.orts: at 1; more tha+ 1 omm-+ists a+dhet+iks retreated together thro-gh Sred+je to*ards A-Ija 6-kaG (2;5

Similar misi+formatio+ is fo-+d i+ the letter from $e+eral !-dolf 6itters to the EA Mo-+tai+

or.s omma+d0 also dated 7/tober 23: Fast of Sokola/ het+iks a+d omm-+istsallegedl) fighti+g +em) /o+/e+tratio+s s.otted +ear 6aBva a+d ira+ het+iks a+domm-+ists there have a+ allia+/eG (2;;5

The o+l) e)e*it+ess a//o-+ts /ame from the 1st>stasha "rigade0 *hi/h told a differe+t stor)F2+dMajevi/a "rigade /lashi+g *ith het+iks alo+g the li+e Martii@Sijevii@-saIe li+e8ighti+g o+goi+g0G said the >stasha re.ort from the mor+i+g of 7/tober 240 logged i+ thediar) (2;5

ve+t-all)0 the $erma+s realized that the) *ere give+ a+ -+eD.e/ted gift i+ the +ight bet*ee+7/tober 21 a+d 22: the het+iks0 amidst their largest offe+sive agai+st the 'ehrma/ht0 *ere

atta/ked from behi+d b) the Partisa+s

&o* did that ha..e+X

The omm-+ists Y1 e+em) from the ver) begi++i+g *as the !o)al ,-goslav gover+me+t0 a+db) eDte+sio+ the het+iks as its legitimate armed for/e 'hile still allied *ith the $erma+s C.rior to ?-+e 220 1941 C the omm-+ists rea/ted to the +e*s of het+iks gatheri+g at !av+a$ora *ith a .ro/lamatio+ agai+st the Fage+ts of 6o+do+G &avi+g e+-merated them CFvario-s /liL-es of /a.italists0 het+iks a+d ge+darmes0 some .atheti/ offi/ers a+d othersG Cthe .ro/lamatio+ /o+/l-ded: F'e m-st de/isivel) fight agai+st these ba+dits right a*a)G

(2;stashalegio+ F&ajji fe+diG had 30 me+ C b-t i+tegrati+g the m-rderers of Serb /ivilia+s *ithmostl) Serb .artisa+s *as a slo* .ro/ess

Th-s the first -+it that "roz ma+aged to se+d agai+st the het+ik i+vestme+t of Sarajevo/ame from 'ester+ "os+ia The thraji+a =ivisio+ *as raised from areas alo+gside theroat death /am.s of ?ase+ova/ a+d Stara $radiBka 6etti+g the /am.s m-rder their famil)

19


20/37

members -+o..osed0 some 30 me+ of the thset o-t from $or+ji Aak-f o+ 7/tober 10headed for ali+ovik (25

# da) earlier0 the 2+d Strike or.s *as .romised the 1st Proletaria+ =ivisio+ That missiveo+/e agai+ em.hasized the foremost .riorit): F8i+ish off the het+iksG (215

"roz also +oted the .ri+/i.al strategi/ goal of the omm-+ists0 *hi/h the)Kd attem.tedseveral times alread): FM) .la+ is to /o+/e+trate the 1st or.s a+d )o-r 2+d or.s i+Sa+dak a+d Metohija0 a+d *he+ the time is right0 adva+/e i+to Serbia a+d Ma/edo+iaG (225

7+ 7/tober 210 "roz +otified the 2+d Strike or.s: Fhet+iks -+der !aIi /a.t-red AiBegrada+d !ogati/a th =ivisio+ arrived at 8oIa0 a+d *e ordered it to immediatel) adva+/e o+$orade a+d !ogati/a0 seize AiBegrad a+d *ait for f-rther orders Se+d t*o brigadesimmediatel) to*ards Priboj a+d !-do a+d se/-re themG (235

&o*ever0 the Partisa+ &O soo+ re/eived the -+*el/ome +e*s that the 2+dStrike or.s *as

fighti+g #lba+ia+s "roz se+t /riti/ism right a*a): F,o- sho-ld +ot have to-/hed the#lba+ia+s0 b-t rather adva+/ed i+to Serbia This is the most im.orta+t strategi/ a+d .oliti/alobje/tive +o*0 to th*art =raa 'e m-st -rge+tl) *ork to this e+d for eDter+al .oliti/alreaso+sG (245

2+dStrike or.s omma+der0 Peko =a.Ievi res.o+ded: F'e did +ot atta/k the #lba+ia+s0b-t the) a+d the $erma+s str-/k at -s from #+drijevi/a 'e eve+ tried to +e-tralize themthro-gh +egotiatio+sG (25

H+ a letter from 7/tober 210 "roz a++o-+/ed a major o.eratio+: FThe th=ivisio+ is o+ the=ri+a alread) H am /omi+g *ith t*o more divisio+s soo+ ,o- m-st *ork *ith -rge+/) till

the+ H *ill order the Aojvodi+a =ivisio+ to /ross i+to Serbia0 a+d osta to s-..ort )o- atAiBegrad !e.ort )o-r a/tivities i+ that dire/tio+G (2;5

The formatio+s th-s i+volved *o-ld be the 1stProletaria+ a+d ;th6ika =ivisio+ (ie the 1stProletaria+ or.s5 from the e+viro+s of =rvar0 the+ the 1;thAojvodi+a =ivisio+ fromMajevi/a0 alo+g *ith the 3rdStrike or.s /omma+ded b) osta %ZV0 from the regio+ ofT-zla H+ other *ords0 the omm-+ists .la++ed to de.lo) all three of mobile /or.s C the 1stProletaria+0 a+d the 2+da+d 3rdStrike @ agai+st the het+iks bet*ee+ AiBegrad a+d Sarajevover)thi+g the) had[

#+ ho-r before mid+ight o+ 7/tober 210 right before the de/isive atta/k agai+st the >stashafor/es i+ Sokola/0 the het+iks *ere atta/ked C from the +orth b) the 2th=ivisio+ of the 3rdor.s0 a+d from the so-th b) the thraji+a =ivisio+ H+ a memo to all -+its dated %ovember140 Mihailovi eD.lai+ed *hat ha..e+ed:

FThe atta/k o+ Sokola/ *as s/hed-led for 7/tober 22 at +ight That eve+i+g0 theomm-+ists trea/hero-sl) de.lo)ed behi+d o-r for/es that had /rossed from Serbia0a+d atta/ked them from behi+d #t the same time0 the >stasha a+d the $erma+s str-/kfrom the fro+t This sho-ld be .roof to ever)o+e that the omm-+ists are *orki+gtogether *ith the >stasha a+d the $erma+s0 a+d have take+ i+to their ra+ks all thes/-m that hates ,-goslavia a+d the Serbs "e/a-se of this omm-+ist atta/k0 *e had

20


21/37

to aba+do+ the siege of Sokola/ Tell ever)o+e abo-t this0 as the best .roof thatomm-+ists lie abo-t fighti+g the o//-.iersG (25

#t da*+ o+ 7/tober 220 i+stead of .-shi+g $erma+s a+d >stasha for/es o-t of Sokola/0 thehet+iks *ere themselves besieged b) atta/kers from all sides at the village of Ste+i/e (2stasha Fstee.ed i+ atro/ities0G \o+lagi *rites that theirF/ombat effe/tive+ess *as o+ .ar *ith $erma+ -+its0G -+like the het+iks

#fter their defeat of the het+iks0 both divisio+s of the 3rdor.s allegedl) tried to atta/k the#Dis for/es alo+g the li+e Sokola/@Mokro There are re/ords of a failed atta/k o+ Sokola/ i+

the +ight of 7/tober 2@2


22/37

These /as-alt) fig-res i+di/ate that the atta/ks *ere s)mboli/ at best 8-rther /o+firmi+g that/o+/l-sio+ is the fa/t that >stasha b-+kers *ere +ot atta/ked b) artiller)0 b-t b) gre+adiersThis des.ite the fa/t that the Partisa+s had seized het+ik artiller) alread) .erfe/tl)

.ositio+ed to bombard Sokola/ C *hi/h it had bee+ doi+g0 .rior to the Partisa+ atta/k %or*ere the Partisa+s themselves short of artiller) b) that .oi+t0 *ith a re/e+t defe/tio+ of ma+)

%=& /re*s a+d their *ea.o+s i+ T-zla

\o+lagi +oted that o+l) o+ the third +ight did the Partisa+s -se artiller) agai+st the >stasha.ositio+s i+ Sokola/ C b-t the >stasha had alread) *ithdra*+0 s-..osedl) -++oti/ed Th-s*as Sokola/ FliberatedG *itho-t a fight (2stasha retreated0 he took AiBegrad *itho-t a fight o+ 7/tober

;0 a+d soo+ thereafter e+tered !ogati/a0 $orade a+d 7lovo #dva+/i+g o+ !oma+ija0*ith the hel. of het+iks from aster+ "os+ia0 !aIi for/ibl) /o+s/ri.ted the Serb.o.-latio+0 *hile looti+g a+d mass@m-rderi+g the M-slimsG (2


23/37

The 7.eratio+s se/tio+ of the 3;9th=ivisio+Ks &O i+formed the 1st?aeger !egime+t o+7/tober 22 (at 12 ho-rs5 that the SS battalio+ tra+s.orts *ere Fdire/ted to Pale a+d *o-ldmar/h immediatel) to MokroG 8ive mi+-tes later0 the same se/tio+ ordered: Fhet+ikhostages to be ha+ged0 i+ re.risal for the atta/k of o-r tra+s.ort -+its o+ the tra/ks a+d theSemizova/ rail statio+G

8-rther0 it re.orted that the &O of the 1st"os+ia+ het+ik or.s *as lo/ated i+ Ua.a+/i0 a+dthat the het+iksK m-+itio+s de.ot *as i+ %iBii (2


24/37


25/37


26/37

=7>M%TS

7+e of the .ages from the o.eratio+s log of the 3;9th

=ivisio+ for 7/tober 0 1934: F94: 3rd

"attalio+ of 3th$re+adier !egime+t re.orti+g b) radio: Stro+g atta/k si+/e 40 s-..orted

26


27/37

b) heav) armame+t #tta/k be/ame stro+ger si+/e ho-rs het+iks took % of AiBegrad!eL-esti+g rei+for/eme+ts from !ogati/a !eL-esti+g air s-..ortN 11: 7.eratio+s Se/tio+for 3rd"attalio+0 3th$re+adier !egime+t b) radio: !eL-ested 6-ft*affe s-..ort0 b-t/-rre+tl) the *eather is badG

7/tober 0 19430 14 ho-rs: Fhief of Staff of the EA Mo-+tai+ #rm) or.s ordersthat AiBegrad a+d the 6im "ridge m-st be held at all /ostF

7/tober 0 19430 143 ho-rs: F7.eratio+s Se/tio+ of EA Mo-+tai+ #rm) or.si+forms: omma+di+g $e+eral agrees to de.lo) the "attalio+ i+ s-..ort of .erso++elat the 6im "ridge 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ thi+ks that it is +ot .ossible for the "attalio+ torea/h the 6im "ridgeNG

27


28/37

7/tober


29/37

Fomma+d of 3rd"attalio+0 3th!egime+t re.orts b) radio: Mesii atta/ked a+d hitb) mortars !ogati/a atta/ked at the same time #tta/ks /omi+g from of "ora/0 o+both sides of the railroad #rtiller) fire from 7rlov ame+

7.eratio+s Se/tio+ asks ho* this is .ossible "attalio+ had re.orted that +ot a si+glehet+ik *as see+ i+ >sti.raIa0 a+d +o* there is a+ atta/k o+ Mesii &o* *as it

.ossible for artiller) to be de.lo)ed o+ the road to MesiiX =ivisio+ /a+ o+l) a//e.tthat re/o++aissa+/e *as eDtremel) defi/ie+t

omma+d of 3rd"attalio+0 3th!egime+t re.lies that there *as .le+t) of s/o-ti+g i+the dire/tio+ east0 b-t this /a++ot eD.lai+ the s-dde+ a..eara+/e of artiller)G

7/tober 130 12 ho-rs: F7.eratio+s Se/tio+ i+forms omma+d of EA Mo-+tai+or.s: Stro+ger het+ik atta/k b) mortars a+d 1mm g-+s at ?ab-ka Pass0 Mesiia+d !ogati/a !ogati/a atta/ked from all sides The =ivisio+ is rede.lo)i+g alo+g theli+e Pale@Mokro@Sokola/ 3rd"attalio+ *ithdra*i+g to*ard !e+ovi/a0 PraIa $arriso+i+ !ogati/a ordered to break o-t to*ards Sokola/0 MokroG

29


30/37

7/tober 10 113 ho-rs:

Fomma+da+t of the =ivisio+ a+d 7.eratio+al Se/tio+ are of .ri+/i.led o.i+io+ that itis im.ossible to *ithdra* emerge+/) for/es from Sarajevo0 as the) +eed to beavailable to s-..ress the rebellio+ likel) to flare if Sarajevo /omes -+der atta/k

Ht is -rge+tl) +eeded to rei+for/e the li+e east of Sarajev-0 as the e+em) is grad-all)breaki+g thro-gh the li+e Pale C Mokro C Sokola/ Therefore0 i+ order to ease thesit-atio+0 the 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ .ro.oses to the omma+da+t:

a5 =e.lo) the 1st?aeger !egime+t east of Sarajevo0 *hile leavi+g some se/-rit)eleme+ts i+ Sarajevo itself

b5 !ei+for/e the o-ter defe+ses b) *ith a+ >stasha battalio+ a+d lo/al reserves ofthe roatia+ 3rdor.s

30


31/37

/5 Se+tr) .oi+ts of the 1st?aeger to be relieved b) emerge+/) for/es a+d .oli/e

d5 Set a+ earlier /-rfe* for the /ivilia+ .o.-latio+

e5 ve+t-all) de/lare a state of siege

omma+da+t is i+ agreeme+t *ith the .ro.osals Pro/lamatio+ of siege *ill de.e+d o+dis/-ssio+s *ith /omma+ders of territorial .oli/e a+d militar) /omma+dG

F7/tober 10 144 ho-rs: omma+da+t of EA or.s to 7.eratio+s Se/tio+ of 3;9th=ivisio+: F6i+e !ogati/a C $orade m-st be held0 take the ?ab-ka PassG

7.eratio+s Se/tio+ to omma+da+t of or.s: FNThis li+e /a+ be seized0 b-t it /a++otbe held *ith *hat the =ivisio+ has availableG

#$#OTS:

2 "-+des #r/hiv0 Militar) #r/hives0 !& 2;@3;9@110 .age 13

31


32/37

2; Same0 .age 191

2 Same0 .age 192

2


33/37

234 Same0 .age 11;;

23 Same0 .age 11


34/37

2; Same0 .age 112


35/37

291 Same0 .age 119


36/37

- ]iva+ovi Mlade+0(borni! do!umenata0 Aols 3@40 H+terklima@grafika0 Ar+jaIka "a+ja024

- (borni! do!umenata i podata!a o narodnooslobodila!om ratu naroda )u"oslavi'e0Aols 10 2 (omm-+ist do/-me+ts50 Aoj+oistorijski i+stit-t0 "eograd

- (borni! do!umenata i podata!a o narodnooslobodila!om ratu naroda )u"oslavi'e0Aol 12 ($erma+ do/-me+ts50 Aoj+oistorijski i+stit-t0 "eograd

- (borni! do!umenata i podata!a o narodnooslobodila!om ratu naroda )u"oslavi'e0Aol 14 (het+ik dok-me+ts50 Aoj+oistorijski i+stit-t0 "eograd

- S Hliev0 Spomen na poreieto(_ `c0 _^c Z cc5

- ?evVevi =obroslav0 * slu+bi srps!om narodu ,memoars!i i dru"i &apisi-0 %ovi.ogledi0 rag-jeva/0 2

- +eevi 6 !adoje i ]iva+0 Sloboda ili smrt0 [email protected] Seattle0 >S#0 19


37/37

- Stame+kovi \orVe0=ele&niari 0i5a u radni!om po!retu i revoluci'i 787>;789?0$radi+a0 %iB0 19

- Todorovi "orislav0@osledn'i raport0 %ovi .ogledi0 rag-jeva/0 22

- TomaBevi ?ozo0 etnici u Dru"om svets!om ratu0 6iber0 Jagreb0 199

- Trbojevi =-Ba+0 ers!o;ma'evi!a "rupa !orpusa pu!ovni!a Dra"oslava /aia0%ovi .ogledi0 rag-jeva/0 21

the siege of sarajevo 1943

Documents