Yugoslav coup d'état
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia emerged in 1918 as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. It incorporated diverse national groups including Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Montenegrins, Bosnian Muslims, Macedonians and Albanians. Each group strongly associated with a dominant religion: the Serbian Orthodox Church for Serbs, Montenegrins and Macedonians; the Catholic Church for Croats and Slovenes; and Islam for Bosnian Muslims and Albanians. This religious diversity deepened divisions within Yugoslav society. Serbs and Montenegrins made up 38.8 per cent of the population while Croats contributed 23.9 per cent. Slovenia accounted for 8.5 per cent and Bosnian Muslims 6.3 per cent. Macedonia represented 5.3 per cent and Albanians 4 per cent. Economics professor Jozo Tomasevich described the country as politically weak from its creation due to a rigid system of centralism imposed by the Vidovdan Constitution. The religious primacy of the Serbian Orthodox Church compounded dissatisfaction among non-Serb populations who viewed themselves as second-class citizens. Failures to establish rule of law or protect individual rights contributed to instability. In 1929 King Alexander abandoned democracy and established a royal dictatorship. He attempted to break down ethnic divisions through administrative divisions based on rivers rather than traditional regions. Significant opposition arose from Serbian and Slovene parties advocating six ethnically based units. By 1933 discontent in the Croat-populated Sava Banovina developed into full-blown civil disorder. The regime countered with assassinations and arrests including that of Croatian Peasant Party leader Vladko Maček. When Alexander was assassinated in Marseille in 1934 his cousin Prince Paul headed a regency alongside senator Radenko Stanković and governor Ivo Perović.
Yugoslav foreign policy during the interwar period involved negotiations for the Little Entente with Romania and Czechoslovakia starting in 1921. This formalized arrangements in 1933 followed by the Balkan Pact of Yugoslavia, Greece, Romania and Turkey in 1934. Throughout this period the government sought good relations with France through a treaty signed in 1927. Italy posed the biggest problem funding the anti-Yugoslav Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation which promoted Bulgarian irredentism. Attempts by King Alexander to negotiate with Benito Mussolini failed until after his assassination. In 1935 Milan Stojadinović became prime minister and Germany emerged as Yugoslavia's most important trading partner. By mid-1940 British intelligence became aware of coup plotting but preferred working through Prince Paul. The Special Operations Executive office in Belgrade supported opposition to the anti-Axis Cvetković government. On the 12th of December 1940 Hungary concluded a friendship treaty with Yugoslavia though actual signing lacked German support. Over the next few months Prince Paul labored under overwhelming diplomatic pressure including threats from Bulgaria. On the 23rd of January 1941 William J. Donovan issued an ultimatum stating that if Yugoslavia permitted German troop passage then the US would not interfere at peace talks. Around the same time Winston Churchill ordered British intelligence services to establish contacts with anti-regime groups. On the 14th of February Adolf Hitler met with Cvetković and requested accession to the Tripartite Pact. He pushed for demobilisation of the Royal Yugoslav Army while pressing for transportation of German supplies through Yugoslav territory. On the 1st of March Bulgaria signed the Pact and the German Army arrived at the border. On the 4th of March Prince Paul secretly met with Hitler in Berchtesgaden again pressured to sign. Hitler did not request troop passage but offered Salonika. A time limit was not set. On the 8th of March Franz Halder expressed expectation that Yugoslavs would sign if troops did not cross their border. Secret negotiations commenced in Moscow between Yugoslav ambassador Milan Gavrilović and Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov. On the 17th of March Prince Paul returned to Berchtesgaden told it was his last chance. Two days later he convened a Crown Council which approved terms. Three cabinet ministers resigned on the 20th of March in protest. The Germans imposed an ultimatum to accept by midnight the 23rd of March or forfeit chances. Prince Paul and Cvetković obliged despite believing promises worthless. On the 25th of March the pact was signed at Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
The coup executed at 2:15 am on the 27th of March planned by VVKJ officers in Zemun and Royal Guard officers in nearby Belgrade. Only senior officers involved were from the air force. Under supervision of deputy commander Borivoje Mirković headquartered at Zemun base officers assumed control of critical buildings including the Zemun VVKJ base under Colonel Dragutin Savić. They seized bridges over the Sava between Zemun and Belgrade controlled by Colonel Dragutin Dimić. The Belgrade Town Hall Building, Police Directorate and radio station fell to Colonel Stjepan Burazović. Ministries and General Staff headquarters taken by Major Živan Knežević. The Royal Court captured by Colonel Stojan Zdravković while main post office secured by Lieutenant Colonel Miodrag Lozić. An inspector assisted Mirković by cutting communications between Belgrade and rest of country. Tanks and artillery deployed on all main streets. By 2:00 pm all strategic locations held by troops loyal to coup leaders. At time of coup Prince Paul in Zagreb en route to holiday in Brdo. On morning of the 27th of March Deputy Prime Minister Maček informed and met Paul at Zagreb Central Station. Meeting held at residence of Ban Ivan Šubašić included Šubašić, Paul, Maček and army commander August Marić. Maček urged Paul to oppose putsch while Marić pledged support of Croatian units. Paul declined offer partly because wife Princess Olga and children remained in Belgrade. Accompanied by Šubašić he reached capital by train that evening met by Simović who took him to war ministry where regents relinquished power abolishing regency immediately. Having made arrangements with British consul Paul left for Greece then Kenya spending time at Oserian before exile in South Africa. Only one death occurred which was accidental.
On morning of the 27th of March royal palace surrounded and coup advocates issued radio message impersonating King Peter's voice calling people to support monarch. Peter surprised hearing declaration of coming-of-age first time on radio. Pamphlets dropped from aircraft onto cities. Demonstrations followed in Belgrade and other large Yugoslav cities continuing next few days including Cetinje Podgorica Split Skopje and Kragujevac. Crowds shouted slogans supporting United Kingdom frequently using phrase Better the war than pact better grave than slave. Members of Communist Party of Yugoslavia participated in pro-putsch rallies nationwide despite being outlawed since 1920. Winston Churchill declared Yugoslavia found its soul considering Balkan front establishment with Turkish help. News resulted in Greek attempts changing defence plans pressing Yugoslavs attack Italians in Albania. Polish and Czechoslovak governments-in-exile praised coup while news received in Greece with wild enthusiasm. Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Gavrilo V spoke publicly supporting King and new regime over radio. Holy Assembly of Bishops convened the 27th of March responding to coup. King Peter II inaugurated presence Patriarch Gavrilo the 28th of March. Coup extremely popular in Belgrade leading vast crowds forming streets chanting Nema rata bez Srba No war without Serbs. Many crowd members carried Yugoslav flags along British French and US flags signifying Allied sympathies. For other nations prospect of war and government's close ties to Serbian Orthodox Church not appealing. Archbishop Aloysius Stepinac president Roman Catholic Episcopal Conference wrote bitterly All in all Croats and Serbs two worlds never move closer one another without act of God. He also stated Schism greatest curse Europe almost greater Protestantism. There no morality principle truth justice honesty Orthodoxy. On same day he publicly called Catholic clergy pray for King Peter Croatia spared war.
In wake coup Simović's new government refused ratify Yugoslavia signing Tripartite Pact but did not openly rule out doing so. Hitler angered by coup anti-German incidents gathered senior officers ordered Yugoslavia crushed without delay. Führer Directive 25 issued same day calling Yugoslavia hostile state. Italian forces included operations directive made specific mention efforts induce Hungary Bulgaria take part offering prospect regaining Banat Macedonia. Internal tensions encouraged giving political assurances Croats taking account dissatisfaction pre-war position. Later Hitler stated coup shock. At same time ordering invasion postponed Soviet Union Operation Barbarossa about four weeks from original date the 15th of May. Need some delay due particularly wet spring eastern Europe foreseen timing indicates unexpected need defeat Yugoslavia important factor Hitler decision. On the 30th of March Foreign Minister Momčilo Ninčić summoned German ambassador Viktor von Heeren handing statement declaring new government accept international obligations including accession Tripartite Pact national interests protected. Heeren demanded apology anti-German demonstrations immediate ratification pact demobilisation Yugoslav armed forces. Heeren returned office discover message Berlin instructing contact Yugoslav officials avoided recalled following day departing next day. No reply given Ninčić. On the 2nd of April orders issued evacuation German embassy occurred next day chargé d'affaires advised diplomats friendly countries leave country. Heeren tried assure Hitler putsch internal matter between Yugoslav political elites action unnecessary ignored. On the 31st of March after offering Croatia Hungary rebuffed Germans decided give Croatia independence. German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle worked organise cries help ethnic Germans Croats Macedonians Slovenes published press provide moral justification German invasion. Media simultaneously launched barrage accusations claiming German nationals subjected atrocities similar propaganda prior invasions Poland Czechoslovakia. This media onslaught attempted exploit divisions Serbs Croats pledging latter prominent role future. After coup ethnic relations concerning Germans tense rarely resulted outright violence. Thousands German nationals left Yugoslavia instructions Berlin.
Role coup subsequent invasion delaying Operation Barbarossa Axis defeat Soviet Union disputed. In 1975 Tomasevich wrote events Yugoslavia partial cause fateful delay Hitler invasion Soviet Union stating many writers consider delay responsible German failure capture Moscow winter 1941, 1942. Acknowledged apart coup invasion wet spring 1941 contributed two three week delay launching Barbarossa saw delay caused events Yugoslavia important indirect factor eventual Axis defeat war. In 1972 historian Martin van Creveld examined arguments supporting position dismissed views based sloppy scholarship wishful thinking. Concluded invasion Yugoslavia facilitated accelerated overall Balkan campaign fact Germans did not capitalise earlier expected end operations bringing forward start date Operation Barbarossa proves beyond doubt other factors determined start date. In 2013 Australian historians Craig Stockings Eleanor Hancock using new archival findings analysis invasion Greece came conclusion little doubt degree invasion Yugoslavia forced delay planned start date invasion Soviet Union. Sue Onslow bid place coup broader context British policy towards Yugoslavia between outbreak Second World War events the 27th of March 1941 writes coup major propaganda victory Britain proved tremendous ephemeral boost British morale coming rapidly victories Italian forces North Africa Sudan also much-needed fillip upstart Special Operations Executive created Hugh Dalton. Other than dispute credit staging event itself dismal showing Yugoslav armed forces during invasion extensively analysed discussed participants Yugoslav foreign scholars others during after war. Remained source pride outspoken Serb nationalists politicians Serb ruling groups supported it. Those advanced policy accommodation Axis maintained had coup not occurred Yugoslavia able remain neutral escape invasion many consequences including large number deaths widespread destruction war victory communist-led Yugoslav Partisans creation Socialist Federal Republic Yugoslavia. Proponents accommodation considered Yugoslavia might enter war Allied side later time less sacrifice. KPJ saw coup invasion trigger wider revolt resulting ultimate victory aspect commemorated each year post-war Yugoslavia. Final analysis primary significance coup placed Yugoslavia accession Tripartite Pact doubt leading directly Axis invasion. Tomasevich concurs KPJ evaluation coup resulting invasion starting point successful communist-led revolution.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Who was the regent deposed during the Yugoslav coup d'état on the 27th of March 1941?
Regent Prince Paul was the official deposed during the Yugoslav coup d'état on the 27th of March 1941. He was replaced by King Peter II after senior officers from the air force and Royal Guard seized control of Belgrade.
When did the Yugoslav coup d'état take place in 1941?
The Yugoslav coup d'état took place at 2:15 am on the 27th of March 1941. The operation involved VVKJ officers in Zemun and Royal Guard officers in nearby Belgrade who assumed control of critical buildings within hours.
Why did Adolf Hitler order an invasion of Yugoslavia following the 1941 coup?
Adolf Hitler ordered an invasion of Yugoslavia because he viewed the regime change as a hostile act against Germany. Führer Directive 25 issued on the same day declared Yugoslavia a hostile state requiring immediate crushing of its government.
How did the Yugoslav coup d'état affect Operation Barbarossa scheduled for May 1941?
The Yugoslav coup d'état delayed Operation Barbarossa by approximately four weeks due to the need to defeat Yugoslavia first. This delay is considered an important indirect factor contributing to the eventual Axis defeat in the Soviet Union during winter 1941.