Yugoslav Partisans

About

The Yugoslav Partisans were a key resistance movement during World War II, led by Josip Broz Tito. Formed in response to the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, they were initially a guerrilla force but evolved into a large conventional army. Their primary objectives were to liberate Yugoslavia from occupation and establish a federal socialist state. The Partisans enjoyed broad support due to their pan-Yugoslav ideology, which transcended ethnic lines, unlike other groups like the Chetniks, who were largely Serb-oriented. The Partisans played a crucial role in World War II, surviving several Axis offensives and eventually gaining Allied support. By late 1944, they numbered around 650,000 and were organized into field armies. They collaborated with the Soviet Red Army to liberate Belgrade in October 1944. After the war, the Partisans formed the basis of the Yugoslav People's Army, and their leadership established the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Their legacy includes the establishment of a socialist government and their role in shaping Yugoslavia's post-war identity.