Original scientific paper
Supplement to the History of Koprivnica and its Surroundings at the Time of the »Podravska Republic« (7 Nov 1943 — 9 Feb 1944)
Vladimir Šadek
orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-3967
; Koprivnica-Križevci County, Koprivnica, Croatia
Abstract
After the fall of Italy and the transfer of military forces by the Independent State of Croatia to other areas, in autumn 1943 the Partisan forces realized a series of victories and conquered the area between Varaždin and Virovitica, known as the liberated area of the “Podravska Republic”. In November 1943, Koprivnica was also liberated, after which it became the centre of the “Podravska Republic”. Civilian life under the government of the National Liberation Committee evolved in the entire area, with various cultural, educational and propaganda activities. By entry into Koprivnica, the Partisans obtained large quantities of food and material, which were transported from Podravina, but they also took retaliatory measures against the prisoners and the arrested associates of the Ustasha regime. The partisans started with general mobilization which was only partially successful because many people of Podravina refused to go to battlefields far from their area. However, this did contribute to the establishment of new military units and strengthening of the National Liberation Army. The inhabitants of Podravina were mostly followers of the Croatian Peasant Party, who were afraid of the communist government because
of possible post-war revolutionary measures in the rural area and abolishing religious freedom following the example of the USSR. The “Podravska Republic” ceased to exist in February 1944 after a powerful Ustasha attack, followed by horrific war crimes in the Kalnik villages.
Keywords
»Podravska Republic«; Partisans; Ustasha; Independent State of Croatia; Koprivnica; Podravina
Hrčak ID:
174559
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2016.
Visits: 3.118 *