Original scientific paper
THE JUNE UPRISING IN EASTERN HERZEGOVINA IN 1941
Davor Marijan
; Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
When the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was formed it included the territory Eastern Herzegovina. The establishment of a new government for the state began at the of May, 1941, following the conclusion of the Rome Treaties with Italy. As a region with a majority Serb population, eastern Herzegovina became the most problematic part of the NDH due to obstruction in the surrendering of armaments and war material. Coupled with longstanding religious antagonisms this opened the possibility for radical action by the ustashas and armed response on the part of the armed Serbian, and to a lesser extent, and armed response on the part of the armed Serbian, and to a lesser extent, Montenegrin, populace. Up to 24 June the ustashas committed a number of Montenegrin, populace. Up to 24 June the ustashas committed a number of larger and smaller atrocities in which the victims were mainly civilians. For their part, the insurgents took over a few armed positions and systematically their part, the insurgents took over a few armed positions and systematically interfered with lines of transportation and disrupted security. In reaction to the German invasion of the Soviet Union, on 24 June an uprising began in which the insurgents besieged Nevesinje, occupied Avtovac and a few smaller armed points. While the Home Guards, with excessive effort and the help of armed points. While the Home Guards, with excessive effort and the help of newly arrived forces, attempted to put down the uprising, Ustasha groups took newly arrived forces, attempted to put down the uprising, Ustasha groups took advantage of the disorders to commit a few more massive atrocities. With the proclamation of a state of emergency and the arrival of vice-marshal Vladimir Laxa, the plenipotentiary sent out by the Poglavnik (Leader of the NDH) Ante Pavelić, the situation stabilized; by early July the insurgents were driven from the lines of transportation and from the larger towns into the backcountry. The conclusion of action saw the return of armed forces to points taken by the conclusion of action saw the return of armed forces to points taken by the insurgents and the establishment of guard posts along transportation lines. The state lacked the forces penetrate the area any further. The uprising presented the political leadership of the NDH with an opportunity to learn a lesson for the future, but it failed in this.
Keywords
Independant state of Croatia; Croatian Home Guard; Ustashe; Serbuprising; Italian army
Hrčak ID:
101948
URI
Publication date:
20.10.2003.
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