“Serbia Is Quiet,” 1942–1944

Examines the situation in Serbia in 1942-1944. After the defeat in the fall-winter 1941, the depleted Partisan forces in Serbia confined their actions to small-scale attacks and sabotage acts, while the Chetniks remained largely passive. It appeared, therefore, that small German contingents assisted by the Bulgarian and collaborationist forces would be able to keep the country in check. However, the Partisans gradually re-organized their depleted units into a large and effective force and ultimately emerged victorious. At the same time, the efforts to maintain a precarious balance between collaboration and resistance weakened the Chetniks and led to their ultimate defeat.