О NEMAČKO - ITALIJANSKIM ODNOSIMA U OKUPIRANOJ JUGOSLAVIJI 1943. GODINE
AN ADDITION TO A STUDY OF THE GERMAN - ITALIAN RELATIONS IN OCCUPIED YUGOSLAVIA IN 1943

Summary/Abstract: Axis Powers have been with drawing in front of the Red Army on the Eastern front. In order to provide for military background Germany played more attention to war operations in Yugoslavia. On the other hand, those operations on Yugoslav territory that were conducted by Italy were slowed down, either intentionally or for lack of armament. This, in a wax, represented Italy’s revenge for Germany’s economic superiority. Slowing down of war operations provoked distrust and even more energetic bearing of Germany in relations with Italy as well as in fighting the National Liberation Movement in Yugoslavia. Italy kept insisting on mutual respect of demarcation line in Yugoslavia, drawn in 1941. Germany hold on to this agreement until 1943. when its troops advanced in so called Fifth Enemy offensive in May and June. The study provides a schedule of both sides as well as the multitude of their forces (129 000 against 18 000 men) in favor of Germany whose undertaking -fumed out to be a failure. German troops were now retreating the same way they had come - without acknowledging in to Italy which was soon to be in danger of being occupied by the Allies embarking in southern Italy. Another problem also came between the Axis partners-the chetniks’ operations against N.L.M. supported by Italy. Germany was determinately against using their troops in confronting the Partisans and made all efforts to disarm them. Italy backed up chetniks’ enterprises and protected them from German army while it ostensibly stood up for their disarmament.

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