The aftermath of the Second World War left Tito’s Partisans to become victorious against the Nazis and their collaborationist Allies in Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, the defeat of the Axis Powers was not the end of military conflict in the region, as multiple fascist paramilitaries known as the Crusaders continue to roam around Croatia, pillaging villages, committing pogroms and mass killings even after Ante Pavelic’s brutal regime was overthrown. The Serbian Chetniks, targetted for their collaborationist activities with the nazis, were also in conflict with the Yugoslav state, with their bases in Morava and Central Serbia seeing acts of terror and mass murder to ethnic minorities in Serbia.

Marshal Tito and the Yugoslavian authorities recognized the threat these insurgents posed to the wellbeing of the citizenry and national security and exacted vengeance for the victims of these paramilitiaries, launching anti-insurgency campaigns in Croatia and Central Serbia. With the help of local authorities, the military, the state intelligence apparatus and the air force, surgical strikes against Chetnik and Crusader bases were launched, devastating both organizations in an effort to finally stamp out the fascists for good.

In Morava, veteran divisions of the Yugoslav People’s Army sweeped across the countryside with support from local police. Air Reconissance and informants proved effective at spotting the positions of Chetnik paramilitaries, leading to artillery and strafing barrages. The Chetniks were caught by surprise in ambushes and were overwhelmed. Facing heavy losses, the Chetniks retreated deeper into Nis, keeping their base mobile. The Yugoslavs did not pursue, opting instead to monitor their movements and strike when their guard lowers.

In Croatia, the Crusaders faced a similar anti insurgency operation as the Chetniks in the south. With local informants and air reconissance, the Yugoslavs were able to attack the Crusaders with great punity. Nevertheless, unlike the Chetniks who fled in order to avoid losing their men, the Croats refused to cede an inch of land. Every single meter of territory, the Croats bled, fighting the Yugoslavs with fanatic zeal. As it would turn out, this decision cost the Crusaders dearly. One by one, Crusader bases were destroyed and their troops annihilated by Yugoslav firepower. Commander Anton Kovacic, himself a protege of the infamous Ante Pavelic, believed that this was the final war, their last stand, and committed as such. His gambit proved short lived as his base was bombed by Yugoslav close air support. His second in command, seeing reason and seeing the bloodbath unfolding, decided to pull back to the South to regroup with his other forces. The campaign against the Croatians was brutal and bloody, with the Crusaders enduring nearly 85% losses compared to the Yugoslav’s 15%. While the Crusaders have not been fully quashed, their ability to recover and conduct operations has been seriously diminished.

[LOSSES]

Yugoslavia: 23rd Division: 5% casualties: 275 25th Division: 15% casualties: 825

Chetniks: 40% casualties: 1,520 casualties

Crusaders: 85% casualties: 4,420 casualties

Militancy reduced by -15%

1,520 manpower has been removed from the Chetniks 4,420 manpower has been removed from the Crusaders.