Background

Chetniks: Serbian Nationalist Guerrilla Force

Background

The Chetniks were a Serbian nationalist guerrilla force that formed during World War II to resist the Axis invaders. The Serbian Revolutionary Organization or Serbian Chetnik Organization was a paramilitary revolutionary organization established in 1903.

Organization and Beliefs

Structure

The Chetniks operated as decentralized units, each led by a local commander. They were often composed of peasants, students, and former military personnel.

Ideology

The Chetniks were driven by a strong Serbian nationalist sentiment. They sought to establish a Greater Serbia by liberating Serbian-populated territories from foreign occupation and expelling or subjugating other ethnic groups.

Role in World War II

Resistance against Axis

The Chetniks initially fought against the Axis powers, particularly in German-occupied Serbia. They engaged in guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and intelligence gathering.

Collaboration with Axis

As the war progressed, some Chetnik groups collaborated with the Axis to protect their own interests. This was particularly true in areas where there was a strong Croatian or Muslim presence.

Post-War Period

After the war, the Chetniks were disbanded and their leaders were persecuted by the communist Yugoslav government. Some Chetnik groups continued to operate as anti-communist resistance movements until the early 1950s.

Legacy

The Chetniks remain a controversial topic in Serbian history. They are often portrayed as heroes who fought for Serbian independence, while others condemn their collaboration with the Axis and their atrocities against other ethnic groups.