WesWorld

Associated Press, New York, Monday, 3 January 1944

Last evening saw the Foreign Trade Council, one of the citys elite business organizations, host a reception at India House for Prince Tomislav, second son of King Alexsandr of Yugoslavia, who is visiting New York as part of the crew of the flotilla leader Zagreb, which arrived on a good will voyage last week. The young prince spoke feelingly of the warm welcome he and his fellow Yugoslavs had received during the course of their visit, and of the support that the United States had shown for his nation in the trials it had faced since the Great War. He remarked upon the investments made in his country by American firms and expressed the hope that it would continue in the future.


United Press International, New York, Wednesday, 5 January 1944

The Yugoslav destroyer leader Zagreb departed today on her return voyage, ending the first visit to American shores of a vessel of the Royal Yugoslav Navy.


Novosti News Service, Mostar, Monday, 10 January 1944

The first of forty Soko Orao fighter aircraft ordered by the Royal Hellenic Air Force was turned over today to the Greek Military Attaché and prepared for its delivery flight to Thessaloniki. It is expected that the remaining aircraft for the Greek order for forty Orao fighters will be fulfilled by the close of the year.

Domestic Ground Ordnance Production

M35 Service Pistol : 300
M29 Service Rifle : 2,400
M28 Machine Rifle : 300
M32 Machinegun : 300
M37 Submachinegun : 2,100
M39 Aircraft Machinegun : 675
M37 Tank Machinegun : 30
M35 Mortar : 60
M27/31 Mortar : 30
M42 Heavy Mortar : 60
M40 Rocket Launcher : 285
M40 Divisional Gun : 60
M30 Light Antiaircraft Gun : 30
M32 Hand Grenade : 76,000
Small Arms Ammunition : 17,250,000
Artillery Ammunition : 186,000


Domestic Vehicle Production for Royal Yugoslav Army

Zastava M40 0.25-ton Truck : 630
Zastava M41 1.5-ton Truck : 490
Anti-tank Gun on LT.38 Chassis : 30


Aircraft Deliveries

Soko Jastreb (fighter-recce) : 12
Soko Zmaj : 24
Soko Orao : 24
Type 222 Vihor : 15
Type 224 Galeb : 12
RWD-13 Artillery Spotter : 12

Novosti News Service, Bar, Friday, 14 January 1944

The latest pair of escort sloops constructed for the Royal Yugoslav Navy were completed today and formally named in ceremonies presided over by His Highness Crown Prince Petar. Having been referred to as Escort Sloops E and F while under construction, the vessels were commissioned as Oluja and Tajfun. They will now undertake a period of trials and working up and are expected to join their sisters in patrolling the waters of the Adriatic and the Straits of Otranto in the summer.


United Press International, Belgrade, Saturday, 15 January 1944

Demonstrations continue before the Italian diplomatic mission here in the Yugoslav capital. Despite the growing cold of a Balkan winter the protesters here continue to maintain their numbers, calling for an Italian withdrawal from its territories of Dalmatia and Slovenia, provinces it acquired as a result of the settlement of the Great War. This week the resolve of the protesters was strengthened by a visit by His Eminence Gavrilo, Patriarch of the Serbs, who led those assembled in prayer. Thus far there has been no indication that the Italian Government has taken notice of the ongoing protests, and the Yugoslav Government has expressed doubts that any positive response will be forthcoming. Nevertheless, those gathered continue their peaceful picketing, and draw the attention of the press and the international community to the territorial ambitions of the Italy in ruling over a subject population.


Novosti News Service, Cordoba, Tuesday, 17 January 1944

The oceanographic research ship Pelikan, homeward bound from its cruise in Antarctic waters, docked in the Argentine port of Bahia Blanca were volunteers from her crew came ashore to help in the recovery efforts in the city of San Juan, subject of the recent devastating earthquake.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Tuesday, 18 January 1944

Reaction continues in response to the recent devastating earthquake in San Juan, Argentina. Across the country churches of all denominations have given prayers for the victims and the survivors of the earthquake, and have begun collecting contributions towards relief efforts. His Majesty King Aleksandr has pledged the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dinar from the Privy Purse, and the Government has offered a contribution of medical supplies and blankets. In response to the Government's request, and aircraft of the French Armee de l'Air will arrive tomorrow at Belgrade airport to convey relief supplies to processing centers in Metropolitan France.


Novosti News Service, Novi Sad, Wednesday, 19 January 1944

It has been announced that the Novi Sad Vehicle Works has received ordered for its newly designed M44 3-ton tactical truck. It is expected that the first examples will be delivered in the spring of this year. The M44 is expected to replace a number of vehicles of foreign design and construction presently employed by the Royal Yugoslav Army.


Novosti News Service, Mostar, Thursday, 20 January 1944

The Soko Aircraft Company has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Polish firm Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze covering the license production of the Orao single-seat fighter on behalf of the Polish Air Force. Details regarding the number of aircraft covered by the license have not been released, but it has been suggested that the Polish firm intends to adapt the British-designed Centaurus engine to the Orao's airframe. Further information is expected to be released in coming weeks.

Novosti News Service, Bar, Tuesday, 25 January 1944

Crowds gathered today to witness the launch of the latest pair of Project 1942 Theta escort sloops for the Royal Yugoslav Navy. After their hulls slid into the waters of the harbour, they were towed to the fitting-out wharf of the Adriatic Shipyards to continue their construction. Eight such vessels have been procured by the Navy, and these are expected to complete this summer.


Novosti News Service, Mostar, Wednesday, 26 January 1944

There is much joy here among the workers at the Soko Aircraft works and among the population of the city generally as the recent decision of the Polish Government to acquire a license for the Soko firm's Orao fighter aircraft has been followed by an order from the Syrian Government for the supply of thirty aircraft. The money-spinning Yugoslav fighter has now been ordered by Greece and Syria, while Bulgaria and Poland have both acquired licenses for its manufacture. While the export orders have stretched the delivery schedules originally set down for the Royal Yugoslav Air Force, the Defence Ministry has expressed its willingness to waive some of its positions in order to assure delivery to foreign customers.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Thursday, 27 January 1944

The destroyer leader Zagreb has called at Gibraltar for fuel before continuing her homeward voyage.

United Press International, Belgrade, Saturday, 29 January 1944

Despite new snowfalls of more than twenty centimetres protestors continue their vigil outside the Italian mission here. Most of the demonstrators now are young, university and polytechnic students, as the biting cold of winter has forced many of the older men and women who have so long borne the burden of the protests away. Nevertheless the spirit of the protesters has remained strong, and their discipline is admirable. Despite occasional provocation, they have continued to make their message known in a totally non-violent manner. This weekend also saw mass meetings in several of Yugoslavia's major cities - Zagreb, Novi Sad and Sarajevo - in support of the Belgrade protesters. Said one of the students standing over a cresset, trying to keep warm, "We have vowed to stay here until our brothers and sisters are free of the Italian yoke. Some say that Hell will freeze over first. We defy Hell as we defy the oppressors. One Nation! One King! One Country!"


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Monday, 31 January 1944

In a surprising move following spontaneous mass meetings held around the country a committee of prominent conservative politicians has formed the National Aviation League, in obvious imitation of the Navy League, to lobby for increases in the air strength of the nation. Velimir Radojkovic has been elected chairman of the league, and in his first speech to the assembled members indicated that the league would establish a National Aviation Fund that would seek to raise money to purchase aircraft for donation to the Royal Yugoslav Air Force.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Tuesday, 1 February 1944

The Ministry of Defence has announced that the Royal Yugoslav Air Force will be sending a technical mission to visit several countries in Western Europe, including France, German and the United Kingdom, to gather information necessary to consider future procurement of combat aircraft. Despite the strides made by the national aviation industry, recent news reports regarding the emergence of jet-powered fighter aircraft have prompted calls for investigation of this new technology, and to assess the suitability of foreign-designed aircraft for use in defense of the nation. It is anticipated that the technical mission will depart sometime later this month.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Wednesday, 2 February 1944

The netlayer Los departed the naval base at Bar today, having completed her trials and working up. She will be taking up station at the port of Durrës, where eventually she will be joined by a sister vessel now approaching completion in the Adriatic Shipyards. The development of Durrës as a forward operating base for the Royal Yugoslav Navy permits the service to better defend the nation against potential aggressors, and the arrival of the Los represents but another step forward in the improvement in the port's defences.

Novosti News Service, Bar, Friday, 4 February 1944

The last of the Project 1943 Epsilon netlayers, heretofore known as Netlayer D, was completed and formally commissioned by the Royal Yugoslav Navy as Jak; she will immediately embark on trials and working up exercises, and will, at their conclusion, join her sister Los in defence of the port of Durrës.


Novosti News Service, Durrës, Sunday, 6 February 1944

The destroyer leader Zagreb docked here today, marking her return from her good will voyage from the United States. She will take up station here with her sister Sarajevo, presently working up.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Saturday, 12 February 1944

The spirits of the demonstrators who continue their vigil outside the Italian mission here were heartened by a visit by His Highness Prince Tomislav, who spoke feelingly of the devotion shown by those gathered to demand freedom for their cousins groaning under the heel of the Italian jack-boot. He regaled the crowd with tales of his recent visit to Ireland, telling how the Irish people, who had long been under the rule of England, now determined their own destiny. His Highness was cheered by the assembled demonstrators, who spontaneously sung the royal anthem. The demonstrations outside the Italian mission, now entering its seventy-eighth day, appear to be well supported by the Yugoslav people, and show no signs of ending soon.


Novosti News Service, Novi Sad, Monday, 14 February 1944

Chairman of the National Aviation Fund Velimir Radojkovic announced today that a nationwide campaign has already elicited donations in excess of 577,000 dinar, which will be used to further strengthen the Royal Yugoslav Air Force and the national aviation industry.


Novosti News Service, Zagreb, Wednesday, 17 February 1944

Services were held here today in memory of the patriot Lojze Bratuz, whose murder in Italian occupied Gori¨ka in 1937 remains unresolved. His memory remains green in the hearts and minds of patriots and choristers alike, for despite his death his legacy of choral singing continues, keeping alive the dreams of freedom for all Yugoslavs.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Thursday, 17 February 1944

Units of the Royal Yugoslav Navy, in conjunction with the French Marine Nationale, will conduct extended naval maneuvers in the Ionian Sea and central Mediterranean basin over the course of the next several weeks.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Saturday, 19 February 1944

A technical mission of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force departed today to assess the potential acquisition of foreign-constructed aircraft by the nation's air arm. The mission will first visit Germany, and thereafter France. Arrangements to visit the United Kingdom are pending.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Monday, 21 February 1944

The Ministry of Transport has issued several contracts covering construction of sections of the projected autostrady linking Zagreb with the capital. Construction of this highway, whose completion is projected for some time in 1946, will commence in the spring.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Wednesday, 23 February 1944

The Ministry of Defence has announced that it will defer procurement of new medium tanks at this time in favour of a reconstruction programme for the Royal Yugoslav Army's current fleet of Atlantean-manufactured AT-36 tanks. The current armament will be replaced by a high-velocity 75mm gun of domestic manufacture, improved sights fitted and revised ammunition storage will be installed. The work will be undertaken at several army ordnance depots.


United Press International, Belgrade, Saturday, 26 February 1944

In a surprise move Foreign Minister Boris Furlan met with protesters outside the Italian mission here. This is the first official recognition of the demonstrators by the Yugoslav Government, and comes after more than ninety continuous days of peaceful protest of the continuing Italian occupation of Dalmatia and Slovenia. In his remarks to the small crowd the Foreign Minister, who is himself a Slovene exile, expressed his admiration for their continuing action saying, "You demonstrate to the world the determination of the Yugoslav people to right the injustice of Italian occupation." When asked if the Italian Government has responded to any overtures in the matter, Minister Furlan declined to discuss details, but suggested that no substantial progress has yet occurred.


Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Sunday, 27 February 1944

The Royal Yugoslav Air Force Technical Mission, which arrived early last week, has departed for France. During its stay here the Yugoslav delegation toured the Junkers works at Dessau and several other aircraft factories, and visited several stations of the Luftwaffe for demonstration and evaluation of operational aircraft.

United Press International, Rome, Tuesday, 29 February 1944

The Yugoslav ambassador to Italy, Minister-Resident Ciril Kotnik, has been recalled to Belgrade for consultations.

Novosti News Service, Zagreb, Thursday, 2 March 1944

The Ministry of Transport has announced that the motor road between Karlovac and Fiume has been closed for repairs. No estimate for the length of the repairs has been given at this time.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Sunday, 5 March 1944

Marking one hundred days of demonstrations before the Italian diplomatic mission here Prime Minister Nikola Karasec joined their number for a brief period today, expressing solidarity with their desires for a unified and free Yugoslavia. Speaking to the press he affirmed his belief that the Italian Government would, one day, see the errors of its ways:

"We know in our hearts that our brothers and sisters in the Occupied Territories desire to unite in one nation; those who have sold their souls to their masters in no way speak for the people. We shall continue to seek a resolution of this issue by peaceful means, in the hope that an Italian Government wiser than the present will one day allow those it claims to represent to speak for themselves at the ballot box. Yugoslavia has used such means to resolve the long-standing differences with our neighbor, Bulgaria, to our mutual benefit. It is only the short-sightedness of avaricious politicians in Rome that prevents such progress now."

Novosti News Service, Zagreb, Wednesday, 8 March 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced the redeployment of the 7th Armoured Cavalry Regiment from its present station at Novi Sad to the vicinity of Karlovac. When asked the reason for the movement, a spokesman for the Ministry declined comment.


Novosti News Service, Durrës, Sunday, 12 March 1944

The heavy destroyer Sarejevo completed its trials today and joined her sister Zagreb in the Fourth Striking Group here.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Tuesday, 14 March 1944

The heavy destroyer Beograd was completed here today. Laid down as Destroyer Leader C, was formally commissioned and will embark on her trials; afterwards she will join the Fourth Striking Group at Durrës.

The Yugoslav Border, near Petrokov Brod, Friday, 17 March 1944

Salvatore Alfieri waited impatiently. He and twenty locally-recruited spalloni had crossed the border more than an hour ago and were waiting here in the forest for his brother Carmine to arrive with the truck.

"If the damned Yugoslavs hadn't closed the road I would not have to go through all this," he muttered. Such was the business of a Camorristi cigarette-smuggler. His piece of the Alfieri clan's 'work' was to move un-taxed cigarettes across the border into Italy, where they could be sold for a good profit in Fiume, Pola, Gorizia and even Venice. Normally his contacts on the Yugoslav side of the border could arrange transport by much more certain means, but now, with fevers rising, he had to resort to older tried-and-true methods - humping the cigarettes across the border on the backs of human mules.

His reverie was broken by the sound of a vehicle making its way down the track - it was moving slowly, without lights to attract attention. "Finally!" thought Alfieri.

The truck came to a halt and from it stepped three men - Carmine Alfieri, Salvatore's cousin who had gone on to Karlovac to arrange the shipment, and two assistants, who quickly began to hand out backpacks to the waiting spalloni.

"What took you so long?" asked Salvatore.

"Patrols," Carmine responded, "and not just border guards - the Yugoslav Army has troops in the area. I saw tanks on rail flats while picking up the goods in Karlovac."

"Then we need to depart quickly," said Salvatore with a nod. "We don't want to get caught on this side of the frontier. Bad enough if we have to buy off the Guardia di Finanza but I don't want to have to buy off some stinking Croat."

Now emptied, the truck was abandoned. It would serve no further use and trying to drive it out of the forest would only attract attention.

The column of men strode off into the darkness, following the trail that they had made in coming. This, however, would prove to be an unfortunate mistake.



"Lieutenant!" said the corporal, examining ground before him. "Twelve men, maybe more, passed this way come hours ago - heading east; see the way the branches are brushed back."

Lieutenant Konstantin Prigal stooped to look at the tracks in the muddy ground. "You're right. Let's follow and see what we find."

The 45th Infantry Regiment had been ordered to assist the Frontier Guards in the closure of the Karlovac motor road. Colonel Elbinger had half-a-dozen patrols out tonight, familiarising the troops with the area nearest the border. No one had expected an encounter. "This could be interesting," thought Prigal.

Some twenty minutes later hand signals passed down the line of riflemen indicated that there was movement in their direction. Prigal ordered the patrol to take up positions on either side of the trail and await the outcome.



The border was less than five hundred meters away, and the Alfieri brothers began to feel a sense of relief. "It will not be long now," said Carmine in a whisper.

"There is a truck waiting for us on our side of the frontier," replied Salvatore. "Then we can pay off the spalloni and return to civilisation."

There was a sound of a twig breaking. In the quiet of the night it sounded like a rifle shot. The Camorristi and their followers stopped in their tracks.

"Going somewhere?" asked Lieutenant Prigal in passable Italian.

His men quickly surrounded the smuggler band. There was no resistance; neither the Camorristi or spalloni were armed. Under guard they were marched back from whence they had come, to be formally arrested by the Frontier Guards, and taken to Karlovac gaol for incarceration.

"I bet Colonel Elbinger will understand," Prigal said. "We were just lucky."


Novosti News Service, Karlovac, Saturday 18 March 1944

A group of smugglers were arrested attempting to effect an unauthorized border crossing and with smuggling non-duty goods out of the country. No trial date has been set.

Oh dear, Prigal is a Lieutenant, now?

Quoted

Originally posted by Brockpaine
Oh dear, Prigal is a Lieutenant, now?

Again, for the moment.

Field promotion in Afghanistan before LONAFF was pulled out, broken back to corporal, bucked up to sergeant when the 45th Infantry came under Elbinger's wing and now back to lieutenant. Right now, Lady Luck is smiling on him.

*Snorts in amusement*

Yup, that's Prigal...

"If Prigal fell head-first into a latrine, he'd come up with a gold ring."

He is a character.