The breakthrough of the 13th Corpus units of NLAY on Kosovo in 1944 and threatening of the retreat of groups of armies 'E'

• Main Author: Velojić Dalibor Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Serbian Culture Priština, Leposavić 2018-01-01
• Series: Baština
• Subjects: serbia in the wwii; kosovo and metohija; groups of armies 'e'; 13th corpus of national-liberation army of yugoslavia; kosovo operation
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-9008/2018/0353-90081846231V.pdf
• ISSN: 0353-9008; 2683-5797

Kosovo operation led from October 15th to November 20th of 1944, had for its objective the interception of the retreat of Deutsch group of armies 'E' in Kosovo and in the valley of the river of Ibar and its destruction. Out of the available forces engaged in these fights was the 13th Corpus of National-Liberation Army of Yugoslavia, more precisely its 46th and 24th, and later on 22nd division, including local Kosovo-Metohian brigades. Out of the Bulgarian army as the ally from the Fatherland front the second army was engaged. Action directions were going from Kuršumlija, toward Podujevo and Prishtina and from the area of Bujanovac, via Gnjilane toward Prishtina. Due to the non-unique command, inactivity of Bulgarian forces, strong Deutsch side security, fights lasted around forty days. Kosovo was set free, but the main objective, interception of Deutsch retreat failed, so group of armies 'E' managed to retreat by the Ibar's valley. After these fights, Bulgarian force retreated, and NLAY pursued its search.