by Pier Paolo Battistelli.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2025.
I didn’t know many details about the partisan war in Yugoslavia. I knew the Germans almost caught Tito once, but otherwise, it’s just a drain on German troops.
Here’s where the Osprey Campaign series is at its best. Using the well-known format, it examines all the major German anti-partisan operations against Tito and his guerrillas. I had no idea that some failed and others succeeded in driving the partisans out of the area and off to another part of the country akin to Chinese Long Marches. Forces included Germans, Italians, Bulgarians, Croats, and of course the Yugoslav partisans. There is a nice order of battle sorting out the combatants.
Interesting that Axis coordination was minimal, so the Germans would push the partisans out while the Italians often failed to block the exits. Italian occupation was less retributional than German and resulted in fewer partisans, but the partisans were generally left alone. It wasn’t until 1943 that the Germans realized they needed to get the partisan problem under control and pumped in more and more troops.
The booklet contains 75 black and white photos, six color maps, three color two-page action illustrations, and two color two-page minimally useful 3D maps.
Note that the operations covered are more at the battalion and regimental level than ambush-level skirmishes. And that’s a fine way to start learning out the Yugoslavian partisans and Axis counter-measures.
Enjoyed it.
–Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
