Baština (Jan 2014)
The report of the Italian division 'Pusteria' on the occupation of Nova Varoš at the end of June 1942, and on military, political and economic circumstances in the town and its surrounding
Abstract
At the beginning of February 1942, with the permission of German occupation authorities, the troops of the general Milan Nedić defeated partisan's forces in Nova Varoš. Before that event the place had been under the authority of revolutionary bodies of KPY from the beginning of December 1941. In this attack a prominent role was played by legalized chetnik units in the armed forces controlled by Nedić. This was the attempt of the general Nedić to enlarge the frontiers of the occupied Serbia to the area of Sandžak. Although Nova Varoš was located in the Italian occupation zone, chetnik units stayed in it until the end of June 1942. In the meantime, new civilian authorities were established, Sandžak's chetnik unit created, which unified all other units in that area under the command of the major Miloš Glišić, and organized urgent supply of population with foodstuffs. General Nedić tried hard by diplomatic means to put under his command Sjenica, but could not do it because of the opposition of Muslims. On the other hand, commanders of the mentioned chetnik units, especially major Glišić, were keeping the active link with the movement of Dragoljub Mihailović and were acting in his interest. Due to that, they did not obey orders from the government from Belgrade, especially during the operation against partisans at the left bank of the Lim in May and June 1942. Italian occupation authorities did not look favourably at the presence of Nedić's troops in Novovaroški district. As the danger of the partisan's units was dwindling for them, they began to seek the return of their forces at this area. The initiative was going through the commander of the division 'Pusteria' in Pljevlja of the general Giovanni Esposito. After many negotiations and ultimatums, at the end of June 1942, Italians occupied Nova Varoš once again, while chetnik units were forced to retreat at the territory under the command of Military commander of Serbia. The enclosed document is testifying on the fact how negotiations were being run between Italians and chetnik officers, and on the handover of the power in Nova Varoš.
