No. 41
BRITISH REPORT ON CHETNIK COLLABORATION
W. O. 202,132 A,X/L 01206
PART THREE
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
A. BOSNIA
1) On 3 July 1943, 80 rifles of the Zenica Chetniks (v. Pt. II A) which had been taken from them by the Germans, were returned to them with the permission of the German GOC.
2) On 4 July 1943, the Chetnik forces of Maj. JAKIC (v. Pt.
II A 3) are reported as collaborating with the Germans in the
area of Visegrad.
3) On 12 July 1943, it is reported that the majority of the Ozren Chetniks (v. Pt. II A) are fighting on the German side.
4) On 22 August 1943, it is reported that in North-Eastern Bosnia the Chetnik forces of KEROVIC are fighting with the Germans against the Partisans.
B. DALMATIA
Information from these sources on Dalmatia refers to the southern area, especially to Dubrovnik, whose Chetniks were part of the Hercegovina Chetnik organization. This information is therefore treated under the next heading.
C. HERCEGOVINA
1) On 10 June 1943, it is reported that the Chetniks in the Mostar area, commanded by PER.OVIC, are showing a loyal attitude towards Germans, and declare that they arc not connected with MIHAILOVIC, they are merely concerned with the preservation of Serbian lives and goods, not with resistance to the occupiers.
2) On 20 June 1943 it is reported that the Chetniks in the Bileca—Gacko area are being provided with food and weapons by the Italians.
3) On 27 June 1943, it is reported that on 20 June, Chetniks were strolling round Trebinje, on the most cordial terms with the Italians.
4) On 31 July 1943 it is reported that MILORAD POPOVIC (v, Pt II C) received 1,260,000 kuna from the Italians.
5) In August it is reported that the Chetniks of VIDACIC" in the Bileca area are collaborating with the Germans against the Partisans.
6) On 14 August, it is reported that PEROVIC is in command of all Chetniks in Dubrovnik area.
7) On 15 August, it is reported that the Chetnik comamnder Capt. MILOS KURES (v. Ft. II C), commanding the forces round Trebinje, is seeking German collaboration, offering 1,000—1,500 men to fight against the Partisans.
8) On 15 August it is reported that BACOVIC (v. Pt. II C) has approached the German Consul-General in Dubrovnik with the aim of starting negotiations with the German QC Mostar, He stated that he was empowered by the Chetnik leaders to do this. He stated that the Chetniks set great value on collaboration with the Germans, but do not wish the fact of this collaboration to be generally known.
9) On 16 August it is reported that JEVDJEVIC^ on his return from Rome has asked Abwehr in Dubrovnik for an early interview with a German plenipotentiary.
10) On 20 August, it is reported that JEVDJEVIC and MIHAILOVTC are not in agreement on the question of collaboration with the Germans.
11) On 31. August, it is reported that JEVDJEVIC has offered the German GOC Prinz Eugen Div., Gen. Oberkamp, 5,000—6,000 Chetniks for fighting against the Partisans. He asked for German official approval. Gen. OBERKAMP referred the matter to higher quarters.
12) On 12 September, it is reported that Chetniks led by SAMARDJIC (v. Pt. II C) and MILORAD POPOVIC are fighting with the Germans against the Partisans in the Gacko area.
13) On 14 September it is reported that PEROVIC has offered the Germans armed collaboration of his forces against the Partisans, and accepted the Independent State of Croatia as being sovereign over Dalmatia after the Italian capitulation.
14) On 9 September instructions were given to Abwher in Croatia to further by all possible means their connection with JEVDJEVIC. The importance of a direct link with MIHAILOVIC'S circle was most strongly emphasised.
15) On 14 September it is reported that, by agreement of the GOC-in-C and Gen. PHLEPPS, the 2nd. Rcgt. is trying through PEROVIC to arrange with JEVDJEVIC for the employment of Chetniks against the Communists.
16) On 15 September the 2nd. SS regt. was seeking contact with JEVDJEVIC, who was then in Sushak.
17) On 21 September, orders were given by the Germans to suspend the arrests of prominent Chetniks which had been undertaken on the grounds that negotiations were in progress with JEVDJEVIC, and that the Chetniks had refused to fight with the Italians against the Germans. The Chetniks had so far maintained a loyal attitude.
18) In September it is reported that HIMMLER'S personal representative has agreed to a proposal for a meeting between the Sichcrheitsdienst (Security Service) and JEVDJEVIC in Zagreb.
D. MONTENEGRO
1) On 11 May, it is reported that the political leader of the Chetniks is Gen. DJUKANOVIC, and that their military leaders are STANISIC, DJURISIC, BACOVIC, LASIC and RUSIC. (v Pt. II D).
2) On 14 May, DJURISIC stated that he was willing to fight with the Germans against the Communists, and would then place himself afterwards at the disposal of the Germans.s
3) On 27 September, it is reported that the Germans were in touch with STANISIC and DJUKANOVIC, who feared that the Partisans would deprive them of the arms which they had hoped to take over from the Italians.
4) On 13 September, it is reported that Chetniks of DJURISIC, who had been released by the Germans after the May fighting, were in occupation of the Kolashin—Berane—Bijelo Polje area, under MILAN RADOVIC and DIMITRIJE KALATOVIC.
5) On 9 September, it was reported that STANISIC and DJUKANOVIC were both near Danilovgrad. STANISIC was willing to join with the Montenegrin Nationalists collaborating with the Germans.
6) On 31 October, it is reported that LASIC is in command of 2,000 Chetniks near Lijeva Rijeka.
7) On 21 November it is reported that LASIC (v. Pt. II D) has asked the Germans for help in order to hold Ubli against the Partisans.
8) On 6 December it is reported that LASIC is collaborating with the Abwehr in a sabotage undertaken in the Andrijevica— Kolasin—Podgorica area, providing 400 men for this purpose
E. SERBLA AND SANDJAK
1) On 19 June 1943 it is reported that LUKACEVIC (v. Pt. II D) is leading 2,500 Chetniks against the Partisans in the area Kovac Planina—Prijepolje—Pljevlja—Priboj.
2) On 5 November it was reported that MIHAILOVIC ordered all Chetnik units to collaborate loyally with the Germans.
3) On... it was reported that these orders had referred only to Montenegro.
4) On 3 December it is reported that a secret treaty was made between the German military authorities and Maj. LUKACEVIC. All hostilities were to cease between the Chetniks and the German, Bulgarian or NEDIC forces. All were to collaborate against the Partisans. The Germans were to have the Supreme Command and to supply the Chetniks with arms. The treaty was to extend to West Serbia, Sandjak and North Montenegro.
5) On 10 December it was reported that negotiations are going on between MIHAILOVIC and NEDIC.
NOTE
For proof of close relations of MIHAILOVIC with BACOVIC, JEVDJEVIC, LUKAGEVIC, LASIC, DJURISIC, STANISIC and DJUKANOVIC, see Part Two, sections C and D.
For examples of Chetnik leaders collaborating with the Germans with approval of MIHAILOVIC, but at the same time denying to the Germans that they were connected with MIHAILOVIC, see Part Two, section A.
