The Partisan Capture of Sarajevo in World War II

The liberation of Sarajevo by Partisan forces in April 1945 was a significant event during World War II and marked the end of German and Axis occupation in the city. The Partisans were a communist-led resistance movement in Yugoslavia, fighting against the Axis forces, including the Germans and their collaborators. The Partisans, under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, had been conducting guerrilla warfare against the occupiers since 1941. Sarajevo, as the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held strategic importance for both the Axis forces and the Partisans. The Germans used the city as a stronghold to control the region and suppress the resistance movement. The Partisans recognized that liberating Sarajevo would not only free the city but also weaken the enemy's grip on the entire country. The Partisans received significant support from the Allied powers, particularly the Soviet Union and the Western Allies. The Allies provided military equipment, supplies, and air support to the Partisans, which greatly strengthened their capabilities. In April 1945, the Partisans launched a major offensive to liberate Sarajevo. The battle began with heavy fighting in the surrounding areas, as the Partisans sought to isolate and weaken German defensive positions. The Partisans used guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and coordinated attacks to slowly push back the German and Axis forces. As the Partisans advanced towards Sarajevo, the fighting intensified within the city. The Germans and their collaborators put up fierce resistance, leading to intense street battles and house-to-house fighting. The Partisans employed urban warfare tactics, including sniper fire, sabotage, and underground resistance networks. Despite the stubborn resistance, the Partisans gradually gained the upper hand. By mid-April 1945, the German and Axis forces were overwhelmed and began retreating from the city. On April 17, 1945, the Partisans officially liberated Sarajevo, marking the end of nearly four years of occupation.



SOURCES
– Hitler's New Disorder. The Second World War in Yugoslavia (Stevan K. Pavlowitch).
– Sarajevo, 1941-1945. Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Hitler’s Europe (Emily Greble).
– War and Revolution in Yugoslavia, 1941–1945. Occupation and Collaboration (Jozo Tomasevich).

IMAGES

VIDEO
Video material from:
Yugoslav royal army on the Sava-1940/Југословенска краљевска војска на Сави(Чукарица)-1940
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MUSIC
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

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E-MAIL

[HistoryHustle]

Axis Invasion of Yugoslavia:
Croatia during WW2:

[VelezBiH]

I am from Bosnia and my Grandfather fought with Partisans. He was captured by Germans and was put Infront of execution squad with other Partizans and was shot. Miraculously he survived. One day i was visiting him and it was summer very hot day, he had no shirt on and i noticed a big wound on his back. I was curious and asked my mother to explain and she told me the what had happened.

Thank you for sharing this video.

[aidankitson]

Thanks Stef for another fascinating piece. The photos are amazing

[Springbok]

My grandmother lived up in Vinkovci. When the town was liberated she was asked by the Partisans to simply point out the collaborators and they would take care of them. One was a Hungarian with the last name of Tolj and a few Ustashe. They begged her not to say anything to the Military Police. In the end, she told the Partisans she couldn't help them identify anyone. By that time she had enough of the war.
As for Tolj he was identified as a collaborator by several other women and taken to a nearby field where he was hung. The chair he was standing upon had been kicked out from under him by one of those who identified him.

[demiaxify]

My great grandfather, my grandfather my nephew were in partizans. My grandfather survived murder of tree high schools in Kragujevac as a retaliation to Serbian people liberation army. He helped partizans in many ways, but one story always stays with me. He was hiding and helping Russian Jew in Dobricevo who was eventually found and executed. My grand-dad has a medal of bravery from partizans, he helped liberate former Yugoslavia from eastern Serbia to Italy border with rest of Partizans from Serbia.

[numenoreaneternity]

It was the "Liberation of Sarajevo", not the "Capture of Sarajevo".

[BlitzH]

Thank you for in depth history. My buddy related some stories from his deployment there in the 1990s that reflected history from WWII. WWII still shapes modern society, and your history lessons help to better understand. Much appreciated for your time and effort.

[haeuptlingaberja]

Very densely packed and informative overview. I would be very interested in further episodes that examine the postwar legacy of the various groups that collaborated with the occupiers. I realize that it's an extremely complex patchwork of reactions that varies quite a bit among the many affected countries, but the connections between those differing legacies and their modern national cultures explains a lot that conventional politics and culture do not.

[Petar_Savic]

I am very thankful for your truth explaining of Croatian history during the WW2. Most of the people don't know what kind of crimes were made by Croatian people between 1941 and 1945.
Thank you

[draganostojic]

As always informative and very interesting❤

[tonnywildweasel]

As an ordinary citizen, it must have been hell to survive all that.
Clear story again👍
Greets from Grun', T.

[McIntyreBible]

Stevan, seeing that you are presently in Sarajevo, could you do a video on the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914? Thanks!

[kevinobrien]

Your skill is improving, as of course are your videos. Keep up the good work!

The partisans from the 16th Muslim Brigade entered Sarajevo, removed Nazi flag from and raised Yugoslav flag onto the city hall on April 5th, 1945 at 5:30 PM. April 6th is the official day of the liberation (as well as the Day of the City) for symbolic reasons. Germay invaded Yugoslavia on April 6th, 1941. Unfortunatelly, April 6th (1992) was the beginning of the Siege of Sarajevo.

[danebajrovic]

My grand-grandfather was there. He was partisan

[pippohispano]

Thank you for traveling off the beaten track. Dutch East Indies (and Portuguese Timor, btw), WW1 and WW2 in the Balkans (don't forget about Romania!), etc., are all less known subjects that deserve our attention.

[Overwatch]

I'm surprised that Hitler personally still had a tactical command and insight of situations like this one in march 1945. Say what you will, but the man's ability to lead the Reich even this late in the war, is a feat of extreme mental fortitude.

[mohammedsaysrashid]

Really it was a great historical coverage video about Sarajevo captured by Partisans and they ejected Croatian 🇭🇷 Ustacha from Sarajevo...thank you Sir Stefan for this remarkable historical coverage video...good luck for you and your respectful 🙏 ( History Hustle) channel

[salonez]

Even to this day many Croats are still proud "Ustashas" and EU doas not care. I have listened few of their history lessons in faculties and couldnt believe it. They seemingly condemn fascist Croatia officially, but also they provide many excuses. I cant believe how Croatians are left unchecked by EU for so many years after they broke from Yugoslavia. Their society slowly but surely started celebrating these butchers as national heroes. The other half of their society is also in shock.

[nickpapagiorgio]

Mooi presentation professor! You make a confusing part of history much easier to understand and the back drop of the beautiful city of Sarajevo looked magnificent! Looking forward to the next class as always! Take care!