Serbian National Uprising

Soldiers of the National Liberation Movement with a stolen German tank, 1964

The Serbian National Uprising, also known as the Serbian Civil War, erupted in the aftermath of Adolf Hitler's and Dimitrije Ljotić's death in 1963. The country had been under German control for over two decades, with the puppet Government of National Salvation serving as the ruling authority. However, with the death of the Führer, chaos quickly descended upon Serbia. A partisan war had been raging for years, with the communist partisans fighting against the German puppet government. The chetniks, also known as the Serbian National Army, who were also German collaborators, added an extra layer of complexity to the conflict.

As the civil war intensified, the battle lines were drawn between two sides: the communist partisans naming themselves the National Liberation Movement and the Government of National Salvation. The fighting was incredibly brutal and bloody, with atrocities committed on both sides. The communist partisans fought fiercely, but they were ultimately unable to overcome the might of the government. On the 19th February 1964, they emerged victorious, having successfully defeated the communist partisans and solidifying their power over Serbia.

The aftermath of the uprising was devastating for Serbia. The Serbian Civil War had been a dark chapter in the nation's history, leaving scars that would take decades to heal. Political opposition was not tolerated, and anyone who spoke out against the government was punished severely. The media was tightly controlled, and only information that supported the government's agenda was allowed to be disseminated.

Along with this, the Serbian National Army's former leader Momćilo Dujić was sworn as the new Prime Minister of Serbia, whose rule was characterized by its brutality and repressive measures.. The new government established a new authoritarian regime that ruled with an iron fist, with the reinstatement of Peter II as the King of Serbia. The communist partisans were either killed or forced into exile, and a culture of fear and repression permeated the country. Those who managed to escape were forced to flee the country and seek refuge elsewhere.

## Important Events

### Battle of Užice

One of the most significant battles of the conflict was the Battle of Užice, a small city in southern Serbia that had been surrounded by the National Liberation Movement. The Serbian government had been struggling to maintain control over the area, and the battle was a turning point in the conflict.

The battle began on November 2nd, 1963. The Serbian government had sent in a large force of soldiers to retake the city, but they were met with fierce resistance from the communist partisans. The battle raged on for several days, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The partisans had the advantage of knowing the terrain and had prepared well for the battle.

Despite the odds, the partisans emerged victorious on November 9th, 1963. The Battle of Užice was a significant victory for the communist army, and it marked the first major battle won by the partisans against the Serbian government. The victory was a turning point in the conflict, as it showed that the partisans were a force to be reckoned with.

The battle was not without its costs, however. The city had been heavily damaged in the fighting, and many lives had been lost on both sides. The victory was bitter-sweet for the partisans, as they knew that the war was far from over. The battle had also brought attention to the communist army, and the Serbian government would soon realize that they were facing a formidable foe.

In the end, the Battle of Užice would be remembered as a significant event in the Serbian Civil War. It marked the first major victory for the communist partisans and showed that they were not to be underestimated. It had also brought attention to the conflict and would pave the way for future battles and events that would shape the course of the war.

### Battle of Kragujevac

The Battle of Kragujevac was a pivotal moment in the Serbian National Uprising. Kragujevac was the most important city and base of operations for the communist army, and losing it was a significant blow to their cause. The battle began on December 21st, 1963, when the Serbian government launched a surprise attack on the city.

The communists had been caught off guard by the attack and were quickly overwhelmed. The battle raged on for several days, but the government forces had the advantage of superior firepower and resources. The communists fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. In the end, the government forces emerged victorious, and Kragujevac fell to their control.

The loss of Kragujevac was a devastating blow to the communist army. The city had been their most important base of operations, and losing it meant that they would have to regroup and re-strategize. The communist leadership was forced to flee to the neighboring city of Cacak, where they would continue their fight against the government forces.

It marked a turning point in the conflict, as the government forces had managed to take the communist's most important city and base of operations. However, the communists continued to fight on, and the war would rage on for several more years before it finally came to an end.

### Battle of Mitrovica

The final battle of the Serbian National Uprising took place in the southern city of Mitrovica. The communist partisans had made a last stand in the city, determined to hold out against the Serbian government forces. The battle was brutal and bloody, with both sides determined to emerge victorious.

The government forces had the advantage of superior resources and firepower, and they quickly launched a fierce assault on the city. The communist partisans fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. The battle raged on for several days, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

In the end, the government forces emerged victorious. The communist partisans were obliterated without mercy, and the city of Mitrovica was left in ruins. The defeat of the communists marked the end of the Serbian National Uprising.

Despite their defeat, the communist partisans continued to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Serbian government. The war may have ended, but the conflict between the communists and the government would continue for years to come. It would take time for the country to heal from the wounds of the war, and many families would mourn the loss of loved ones for years to come.