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Pavle DurisicFought against the partisans
Date of Birth: 09.07.1907
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Content:
- Early Life and Military Education
- Early Education:
- Military Career
- Promotions and Command:
- Diplomatic Incident at Lake Plav:
- World War II and Resistance
- July Uprising and Liberation of Berane:
- Post-Uprising and Collaboration
- Clashes with Partisans:
- Occupation of Kolasin and Pact with Italians:
- Operation in Neretva:
Early Life and Military Education
Birth and Family Background:Born on July 9, 1907, in the Leshanke region, Pavle Djurisic's father served in the Balkan Wars and was killed in World War I. His mother, uncle, and maternal grandfather raised him after his father's death.
Early Education:
Pavle attended primary school in Podgorica and enrolled in secondary school in Berane, but left after completing the seventh grade. In 1927, he joined the Military Academy and graduated as a Lieutenant of Infantry.
Military Career
Early Military Service:From 1930 to 1931, Djurisic served in Sarajevo as a sergeant in the Takovsky Infantry Regiment. Noticing his potential, his superiors sent him to the Infantry Officer School in Sarajevo.
Promotions and Command:
In 1934, Djurisic became a Lieutenant and served as an Adjutant. By 1937, he had risen to the rank of Captain and commanded a battalion.
Diplomatic Incident at Lake Plav:
When Italian forces occupied Albania in 1939, Djurisic was stationed near the Albanian border. He skillfully negotiated with the Italians, convincing them to pay 100,000 silver dinars to cross Lake Plav.
World War II and Resistance
Invasion and Resistance:Djurisic played a significant role in defending Yugoslavia during the Axis invasion. After establishing connections with other officers and civilians, he unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with the Communist Party of Yugoslavia about forming a national resistance army.
July Uprising and Liberation of Berane:
Two days after the outbreak of the uprising on July 15, Djurisic engaged in fighting and led the attack on the Italian garrison in Berane on July 17. His forces forced the Italian troops to surrender, and Berane fell under the control of the rebels.
Post-Uprising and Collaboration
Retirement and Mountain Headquarters:After the Italian defeat, Djurisic resigned from the army on August 3, 1941, and established his mountain headquarters in Upper Zaostrja. In November 1941, he met with Draza Mihailovic, who appointed him commander of the Lim-Sanjak Detachment.
Clashes with Partisans:
In 1942, Djurisic's detachment had its first encounter with Yugoslav partisans, resulting in an inconclusive clash.
Occupation of Kolasin and Pact with Italians:
In February 1943, Djurisic captured Kolasin and moved his headquarters from Upper Zaostrja. Italy issued an ultimatum, threatening war if Montenegro declared independence.
Operation in Neretva:
As a Major, Djurisic conducted an operation in Neretva against the partisans. The fighting was intense but indecisive. After the bloody Battle of Nevesinje, Djurisic and his forces were expelled from Montenegro.
