Operation Kopaonik
Encyclopedia
Operation Kopaonik is coded name for the German-Bulgarian anti-guerrilla offensive against the Chetniks in the area of mountain Kopaonik
, Goč
and Jastrebac during October 1942nd, in the German occupation zone of Serbia in the Second World War. The Germans launched an offensive aimed at total destruction of Chetniks Rasina Corps of the Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland, commanded by Major Dragutin Keserović, whose headquarters was located in the village of Kriva Reka. Germans and Bulgarians won the Chetnik free territory and thereby committed crimes against the Serbian civilian population. Chetniks were successfully pulled from the German-Bulgarian ring and withdraw to the territory that was beyond the reach of the occupation forces.
valley war material Rommel′s
forces on the African front
. In the spring 1942 the Germans were feared to Chetniks not attack the Trepča
mine near Kosovska Mitrovica
, from which they pulled significant amounts of lead and zinc for needs their war machine. It was decided that the most elite force now engaged against major Keserović.
, which numbered over 20,000 soldiers and placed under the command of General Artur Phleps
. In early October 1942nd the division is deployed to the area of southwestern Serbia, Kraljevo
, Užice
, Ivanjica
, Čačak
, Raška, Kosovska Mitrovica
and Novi Pazar
. For the attack on the Chetniks Rasina Corps planned and parts 9th Bulgarian Infantry Division.
Chetniks Rasina Corps, commanded by Major Dragutin Kesererović were deployed in Kopaonik, Jastrebac and Goč. Rasina Corps at that time had about 1,500 fighters under arms.
General Artur Phleps, commander of the 7th SS Division "Prinz Eugen"
, ordered the 5th October 1942nd in stating that the German and Bulgarian forces to destroy the Chetnik forces insurgent leader of the Central Serbia Major Dragutin Keserović on Kopaonik mountain, whose headquarters is located in the village of Kriva Reka. The Germans and Bulgarians are planning to on the Chetniks, conduct a comprehensive attack from four directions, perform encirclement and precisely defined plan of fire destroy the Serbian enemy. About 20,000 well-armed and fully trained German troops poised to attack on free Serbian mountains. For 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division "Prinz Eugen" this was the first military operation since its establishment, which lasted from early spring to late summer 1942nd and therefore the outcome of this operation was of great importance for the Germans.
German and Bulgarian forces have carried out a comprehensive attack on the Chetnik territory at dawn on the 12th October 1942nd. German forces have carried out the attack from four directions. German combat group "North" performed the march to the top Željin and a once secondary group on the top Kavalj. Combat group "South" has conducted a comprehensive movement in the area Gobelja, which located 17 km northwest of Raška. Combat group "West" concentrated is forces in the valley 5 km from the of the Banje. Combat group "East" has taken a position west of Brus
. Germans and Bulgarians made a ring around the Chetnik territory and forced the peasants in refuges. Because of the importance of the outcome of this operation from Berlin
in Kraljevo
landed a senior Nazi official Heinrich Himmler
. Reichsführer-SS Himmler was in Kraljevo, in the German occupation zone of Serbia from 15 to 18 October 1942nd toured Ceremonial Unit 7th SS Division and was especially interested of the course of the first military operations of the newly established SS division.
German combat groups "North", "West" and "South" are frontal the progressed through the Chetnik territory in the direction of combat group "East", which had the role of stopping the wall for the Chetniks. However, Major Keserović had intelligence about the preparations and the movement of large German forces for an attack on its territory. Major Keserović not considered it useful to your Rasina Corps frontally confront the German and Bulgarian forces. It has already ordered his units to regroup into smaller parts for easy maneuvering and penetration. He believed that the occupation forces they should enter in empty space. Chetniks Rasina Corps led by Major Kesererović escaped on time from the enemy ring. Germans and Bulgarians struck in empty, committing reprisals against the civilian population. German and Bulgarian forces burned several villages and committed war crimes against Serbian rural population. Village of Kriva Reka suffered the most, because there was located Keserović headquarters. In Kriva Reka killed 120 civilians, who are members of the 7 SS division are closed and burned in the village church. In other villages in Kopaonik Germans killed 300 civilians, in the villages on Mt Goč 250 civilians were executed. The Germans during this operation are killed a total of 670 civilian
Kopaonik
Kopaonik ; is one of the larger mountain ranges of Serbia. It is located in the central part of Serbia, while a small portion extendeds to North Kosovo. Its highest point, Pančić's Peak, is above sea level....
, Goč
Goč
Goč is a mountain in central Serbia, south of the spa town of Vrnjačka Banja. Its highest peak Ljukten has an altitude of 1216 meters above sea level....
and Jastrebac during October 1942nd, in the German occupation zone of Serbia in the Second World War. The Germans launched an offensive aimed at total destruction of Chetniks Rasina Corps of the Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland, commanded by Major Dragutin Keserović, whose headquarters was located in the village of Kriva Reka. Germans and Bulgarians won the Chetnik free territory and thereby committed crimes against the Serbian civilian population. Chetniks were successfully pulled from the German-Bulgarian ring and withdraw to the territory that was beyond the reach of the occupation forces.
Background
Major Dragutin Keserović with their Rasina Corps has created a free territory, which was on the mountain Kopaonik, Goč and Jastrebac. For the past year, against Keserović is raised more military operations, in which they participated, the Bulgarians and Germans, but he is constantly getting stronger. According to the German Information, major Keserović was a brave commander who kept an iron discipline in their units, and also was the favorite in the nation. At constant pursuits are inflicted losses Keserovićev′s detachments and the local population. Germans are worried the information that Major Keserović enjoys great popularity among the people and to be a short time to mobilize about 10,000 soldiers on its territory. Chetniks were a threat to the Germans, because they were able to break the German road communications which are transported through of the Morava−VardarVardar
The Vardar or Axios is the longest and major river in the Republic of Macedonia and also a major river of Greece. It is long, and drains an area of around . The maximum depth of river is ....
valley war material Rommel′s
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel , popularly known as the Desert Fox , was a German Field Marshal of World War II. He won the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought....
forces on the African front
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
. In the spring 1942 the Germans were feared to Chetniks not attack the Trepča
Trepça
- Basketball Hall :The club currently plays in the sport and youth center "Palestra e Sporteve Minatori", in the center of Mitrovica, with a capacity for around 3500 spectators.- Roster :-Notable players:- External links :**...
mine near Kosovska Mitrovica
Kosovska Mitrovica
Kosovska Mitrovica , is a city and municipality in northern Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous district....
, from which they pulled significant amounts of lead and zinc for needs their war machine. It was decided that the most elite force now engaged against major Keserović.
The offensive
The Germans at the beginning of the 1942nd founded the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division "Prinz Eugen"7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen
The 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen. was formed on March 1942 from Volksdeutsche volunteers from Vojvodina, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, it was initially called the SS-Freiwilligen-Division Prinz Eugen....
, which numbered over 20,000 soldiers and placed under the command of General Artur Phleps
Artur Phleps
Artur Martin Phleps was an Austro-Hungarian-born Romanian and German officer who held the rank of Obergruppenführer in the Waffen-SS during World War II. An Austro-Hungarian Army officer in World War I, he served in the Romanian Army during the interwar period, before joining the military forces...
. In early October 1942nd the division is deployed to the area of southwestern Serbia, Kraljevo
Kraljevo
Kraljevo is a city and municipality in central Serbia, built beside the river Ibar, 7 km west of its confluence with the Western Morava. It is located in the midst of an upland valley, between the mountains of Kotlenik in the north, and Stolovi in the south.In 2011 the city has population of...
, Užice
Užice
Užice is a city and municipality in western Serbia, located at the banks of the Đetinja river. It is the administrative center of the Zlatibor District...
, Ivanjica
Ivanjica
Ivanjica is a town and municipality located in the Moravica District of Serbia. The population of the town is 11,810, while population of the municipality is 32,047....
, Čačak
Cacak
Čačak is a city in central Serbia. It is the administrative center of the Moravica District of Serbia. Čačak is also the main industrial, cultural and sport center of the district...
, Raška, Kosovska Mitrovica
Kosovska Mitrovica
Kosovska Mitrovica , is a city and municipality in northern Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous district....
and Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar is a city and municipality located in southwest Serbia, in the Raška District. According to the official census in 2011, number of inhabitants of municipality is 92,776, while the city itself has a population of 60,638...
. For the attack on the Chetniks Rasina Corps planned and parts 9th Bulgarian Infantry Division.
Chetniks Rasina Corps, commanded by Major Dragutin Kesererović were deployed in Kopaonik, Jastrebac and Goč. Rasina Corps at that time had about 1,500 fighters under arms.
General Artur Phleps, commander of the 7th SS Division "Prinz Eugen"
7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen
The 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen. was formed on March 1942 from Volksdeutsche volunteers from Vojvodina, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, it was initially called the SS-Freiwilligen-Division Prinz Eugen....
, ordered the 5th October 1942nd in stating that the German and Bulgarian forces to destroy the Chetnik forces insurgent leader of the Central Serbia Major Dragutin Keserović on Kopaonik mountain, whose headquarters is located in the village of Kriva Reka. The Germans and Bulgarians are planning to on the Chetniks, conduct a comprehensive attack from four directions, perform encirclement and precisely defined plan of fire destroy the Serbian enemy. About 20,000 well-armed and fully trained German troops poised to attack on free Serbian mountains. For 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division "Prinz Eugen" this was the first military operation since its establishment, which lasted from early spring to late summer 1942nd and therefore the outcome of this operation was of great importance for the Germans.
German and Bulgarian forces have carried out a comprehensive attack on the Chetnik territory at dawn on the 12th October 1942nd. German forces have carried out the attack from four directions. German combat group "North" performed the march to the top Željin and a once secondary group on the top Kavalj. Combat group "South" has conducted a comprehensive movement in the area Gobelja, which located 17 km northwest of Raška. Combat group "West" concentrated is forces in the valley 5 km from the of the Banje. Combat group "East" has taken a position west of Brus
Brus
Brus is a town and municipality located in the Rasina District of Serbia. According to 2001 census, the population of the town is 4,572, while population of the municipality is 16,263...
. Germans and Bulgarians made a ring around the Chetnik territory and forced the peasants in refuges. Because of the importance of the outcome of this operation from Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in Kraljevo
Kraljevo
Kraljevo is a city and municipality in central Serbia, built beside the river Ibar, 7 km west of its confluence with the Western Morava. It is located in the midst of an upland valley, between the mountains of Kotlenik in the north, and Stolovi in the south.In 2011 the city has population of...
landed a senior Nazi official Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was Reichsführer of the SS, a military commander, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. As Chief of the German Police and the Minister of the Interior from 1943, Himmler oversaw all internal and external police and security forces, including the Gestapo...
. Reichsführer-SS Himmler was in Kraljevo, in the German occupation zone of Serbia from 15 to 18 October 1942nd toured Ceremonial Unit 7th SS Division and was especially interested of the course of the first military operations of the newly established SS division.
German combat groups "North", "West" and "South" are frontal the progressed through the Chetnik territory in the direction of combat group "East", which had the role of stopping the wall for the Chetniks. However, Major Keserović had intelligence about the preparations and the movement of large German forces for an attack on its territory. Major Keserović not considered it useful to your Rasina Corps frontally confront the German and Bulgarian forces. It has already ordered his units to regroup into smaller parts for easy maneuvering and penetration. He believed that the occupation forces they should enter in empty space. Chetniks Rasina Corps led by Major Kesererović escaped on time from the enemy ring. Germans and Bulgarians struck in empty, committing reprisals against the civilian population. German and Bulgarian forces burned several villages and committed war crimes against Serbian rural population. Village of Kriva Reka suffered the most, because there was located Keserović headquarters. In Kriva Reka killed 120 civilians, who are members of the 7 SS division are closed and burned in the village church. In other villages in Kopaonik Germans killed 300 civilians, in the villages on Mt Goč 250 civilians were executed. The Germans during this operation are killed a total of 670 civilian