WesWorld

Novosti News Service, Bar, Saturday, 1 April 1944

The first of three patrol corvettes for the Royal Yugoslav Navy was laid down today. Known for the present as Corvette A these ships are intended for inshore employment in defence of the national territory. It is expected that her sisters will be laid down later in the year, and it is rumoured that the type will be perpetuated in the forthcoming naval programmes.


Associated Press, Zagreb, Sunday, 2 April 1944

The province of Croatia has marked Palm Sunday with large but peaceful demonstrations protesting the continuing Italian occupation of Dalmatia and Slovenia and what is perceived as forced Italianisation of the local population. Placards reading "Italy Go Home" were in evidence across Zagreb, Karlovac and many other cities and towns. While such demonstrations are not likely to convince the Italian Government of the need to change its policies, it does show widespread public support for the position taken by the Yugoslav Government in pressing for negotiations with Italy on the question.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Monday, 3 April 1944

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Greek Government has placed orders with Yugoslav firms for the delivery of additional Soko Orao fighter aircraft. An agreement has been reached for the supply of a further seventy-five aircraft, delivery of which will commence early in 1945, upon conclusion of the current Greek order for forty aircraft. Orders for four IK-4 twin engine transport aircraft have also been received from the Royal Hellenic Air Force - delivery of the first is expected in June of this 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 -:- 750
M37 Tank Machinegun -:- 70
M35 Mortar -:- 120
M27/31 Mortar -:- 60
M42 Heavy Mortar -:- 125
M40 Rocket Launcher -:- 580
M40 Divisional Gun -:- 60
M30 Light Antiaircraft Gun -:- 60
M32 Hand Grenade -:- 116,000
Small Arms Ammunition -:- 24,000,000
Artillery Ammunition -:- 260,000


Domestic Vehicle Production for Royal Yugoslav Army

Zastava M40 0.25-ton Truck : 690
Zastava M41 1.5-ton Truck : 570
Novi Sad M44 3-ton Truck : 50
LT.43 Light Tank : 18
Anti-tank Gun on LT.38 Chassis : 30


Aircraft Deliveries

Soko Zmaj : 24
Soko Orao : 24
Type 222 Vihor : 15
Type 224 Galeb : 12
RWD-13 Artillery Spotter : 12

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Wednesday, 5 April 1944

The Ministry of Defence has announced that it has reached agreement with American authorities for the procurement of additional quantities of the White M-3 half-track personnel carrier. The new equipment is required to equip the recently authorised third armoured brigade that is due to be stood up this autumn. Specific quantities were not announced at this time; however, if previous procurement is any guide, the number of vehicles involved would be approximately two hundred.


Report of the Hungarian Military Attaché, Belgrade, Thursday 6 April 1944

"I have learned from confidential sources that production of the Yugoslav-designed M40 anti-tank rocket launched has been increased. Production targets at the Zastava and Igman Ordnance and Munitions Works have been doubled, and it is believed that a third production line at the Uzice Ordnance and Munitions Works has been opened. Coupled with recent increases in the production of small arms and artillery ammunition, it suggests that the Royal Yugoslav Army anticipates the possibility of active operations within the next six to nine months."


Novosti News Service, Bar, Friday, 7 April 1944

Vessels of the Third Striking Group and First Escort Group sortied today to conduct training exercises in the vicinity of Durrës. Further information was not released by the Ministry of Defence at this time.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Monday, 10 April 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced that the Royal Yugoslav Army will despatch a Technical Mission to Czechoslovakia to discuss the possible procurement of new armoured vehicles. Rumours suggest that there is interest in acquiring a quantity of LT.42 medium tanks to supplement the Royal Yugoslav Army's fleet of Atlantean-built AT-36s. The LT.42 has been adapted by Switzerland to mount the M40 tank gun and the Royal Yugoslav Army's current AT-36s are being rebuilt to carry the same weapon. While reports have suggested that the Army would acquire ex-Bulgarian AT-36s for upgrade, it is unclear at this time whether procurement of Czech vehicles would be in place of, or in addition to, the acquisition of AT-36s from Bulgaria.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Wednesday, 12 April 1944

The first two production LT.43 light tanks for the Royal Yugoslav Army were delivered today by the Jasenica Equipment and Machinery Company. The LT.43 has been designed to succeed the older LT.38 light tank that now equips the Royal Yugoslav Army's armoured cavalry regiments.

Novosti News Service, Durrës, Friday, 14 April 1944

Two small craft were arrested last evening on suspicion of smuggling and brought into port by naval patrols. The vessels in question were taken in Yugoslav territorial waters north of the Italian exclave of Vlore. No details of the cases have been released by the authorities.


Novosti News Service, Novi Sad, Monday, 17 April 1944

The first examples of the M44 tactical cargo lorry rolled off the assembly line of the Novi Sad Vehicle Works here and were accepted by the Royal Yugoslav Army. The M44 has been developed to meet military requirements for a successor to a variety of imported motor vehicles and contracts have been placed for the delivery of several thousand such lorries over the next several years.

United Press International, Belgrade, Wednesday, 19 April 1944

The spirits of the demonstrators who have long kept vigil outside the Italian mission in Belgrade were heartened today when His Majesty King Alexsandr visited them, giving words of encouragement to those who had vowed to remain through the months of winter and keep alight the flame of hope for liberation of what Yugoslavs see as the 'Occupied Territories'. His Majesty Alexsandr expressed his thanks for the determination of his people in what had begun as a spontaneous expression of their will. Speaking to the press he said, "As Moses came before Pharaoh, so I stand here with my fellow Yugoslavs and say: Let my people go!"


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Thursday, 20 April 1944

The Defence Ministry has acknowledged the return of the Technical Mission sent to Czechoslovakia to evaluate the usefulness of the latest Czech armoured vehicles for the Royal Yugoslav Army. No details were available at this time on the recommendations of the mission.

Novosti News Service, Mostar, Sunday, 23 April 1944

In ceremonies today at the works of the Soko Aircraft Company four Orao fighter aircraft and four Zmaj light bombers, paid for with monies collected by the National Aviation Fund, were handed over to representatives of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force. Several speakers lauded the patriotism of the ordinary citizens whose contributions so directly contributed to the growth of the nation's air strength.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Tuesday, 25 April 1944

Work commenced today on several sections of the proposed autostrady linking the capital with Zagreb. It is expected that construction will take several years to complete, particularly if harsh weather conditions - like those experienced in the last winter - are encountered.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Friday, 28 April 1944

The Ministry of Defence has announced that approval has been given for the production of the M43 semi-automatic service rifle. Production is expected to commence at the Zastava Ordnance works before the end of the year and at the nation's other arsenals as soon as possible thereafter.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Sunday, 30 April 1944

The research vessel Pelikan has returned home for refit to prepare for this forthcoming summer season of sailing-ship competition. The Pelikan completed a voyage that had taken it through the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, along the Antarctic Coast, and to Argentina, where her crew assisted in the recovery operations in the wake of the San Juan earthquake.

Novosti News Service, Durrës, Tuesday, 2 May 1944

Another incident of attempted smuggling has occurred in territorial waters north of the Italian exclave of Vlore. Two patrol craft of the Royal Yugoslav Navy intercepted and boarded a small coastal steamer carrying a quantity of undocumented cigarettes and spirits. It appears that the steamer was heading for Vlore and strayed into Yugoslav waters. Customs agents have seized the craft pending the outcome of a full investigation.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Thursday, 4 May 1944

The netlayer Jak has completed its working up and has been declared operational.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Friday, 5 May 1944

The Ministry of Defence has announced that it has concluded an agreement with the Czechoslovak CKD concern for the purchase of approximately two hundred examples of the firm's LT vz.42 medium tank. Like the variant of the vz.42 supplied to the Swiss Army, the tanks procured for the Royal Yugoslav Army will mount the standard M40 tank gun, which is currently being retrofitted to the present fleet of AT-36 medium tanks. The acquisition of the new vehicles will permit formation of a third armoured brigade.

Novosti News Service, Karlovac, Monday, 8 May 1944

Trial began today in the matter of Salvatore and Carmine Alfieri, who are accused of conspiracy to smuggle cigarettes and other products across the frontier into the Occupied Province of FurlanijaJulijska krajina. In his opening remarks the Prosecuting Attorney identified the Alfieri brothers as members of a wide-ranging criminal enterprise known as the Camorra. Defense Counsel objected, but was over-ruled when the Prosecuting Attorney produced documentary evidence of the connection of the Alfieri Brothers with known criminals operating within Italian national territory. It is expected that the trial will continue over the next week, if not longer.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Friday, 12 May 1944

The border crossing points at Benkovac and Lozovac have been closed for reconstruction. No date was given for their reopening.

Novosti News Service, Karlovac, Tuesday, 23 May 1944

The Criminal Court here rendered its verdict in the matter of Salvatore and Carmine Alfieri, accused of conspiracy to smuggle cigarettes and other products across the frontier. The court found the defendants guilty as charged, and sentenced each of the pair to five years imprisonment and a fine of two million dinar. The trial of the Alfieri brothers laid bare the existence of a wide-ranging Italian criminal group known as the Camorra, whose tentacles have expanded beyond Italian borders and infected neighboring countries with their enterprises.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Thursday, 25 May 1944

The first of the new Project 1944 Alpha class corvettes, temporarily named Corvette A, was launched today and shifted to the fitting out wharf of the Adriatic Shipyards, where its construction will continue.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Thursday, 1 June 1944

The Defence Ministry has recently moved to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Royal Yugoslav Army by authorising the formation of a specialist antitank battalion for each of the regular infantry divisions; such a unit will be in addition to the organic antitank elements of the Army's infantry regiments. The first such unit, assigned to the Guards Division, has already begun formation. Others are expected to be created as availability of equipment permits.

Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Monday, 5 June 1944

Speaking to reporters this morning, Minister of Defence Petar Stambolic confirmed that the Cabinet had agreed to a proposed augmentation of the Royal Yugoslav Army; the increases will be incremental, and not involve the activation of a host of new units, save for the new divisional antitank battalions previously reported. The principal changes will see the adoption of new unit tables of establishment, which are required to account for new equipment now coming into general service, and for the general increase in the Army's general level of motorisation. When asked what has prompted the change, the Defence Minister referred to the recent increase in tensions with neighboring nations; as Yugoslavia's relations with most of its neighbors are friendly, it was clear that Mister Stambolic was referring to Italy, whose recent incorporation of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica into the Italian state underscores its continued occupation of Dalmatia and Slovenia. Specific details of the changes are expected to be made public very soon.


Novosti News Service, Bar, Monday, 12 June 1944

With great anticipation the latest cruiser for the Royal Yugoslav Navy - temporarily known as Cruiser C - slid down the ways and was launched today. Among the dignitaries present was Vasilije Petkovic, chairman of the Navy League, who praised the Government for maintaining the strength of the nation by sea, and called upon the members of the Navy League to redouble their support for the continued growth of the Royal Yugoslav Navy. It is expected that the new cruiser will complete early next year, and already there is work in the shipyards here to begin construction of her sister.

United Press International, Belgrade, Tuesday, 13 June 1944

Today marks two hundred consecutive days of peaceful demonstrations before the Italian diplomatic mission here by the ordinary citizens of Belgrade, urging the Italian Government to withdraw from the so-called Occupied Territories of Dalmatia and Slovenia. Thus far the calls by the demonstrators appear to have fallen upon deaf ears, as the Italian Government has shown no willingness to withdraw from the territories in question or to even entertain discussion of a plebiscite on the matter. The continued demands for an Italian withdrawal matched by continued Italian intransigence have raised tensions on both sides, and have pushed the Yugoslav Government towards more active efforts to bring pressure on the Italians.


Novosti News Service, Karlovac, Friday, 16 June 1944

The police here have announced the death of Vladimir Bakari, one of the judges of the Criminal Court. Judge Bakari suffered several gunshot wounds to the body, delivered by an unknown assailant or assailants. The authorities are investigating but have released no information on potential suspects.

Novosti News Service, Karlovac, Monday, 19 June 1944

Police authorities here are still baffled by the murder of Judge Vladimir Bakari. While admitting that the assailant or assailants broke into Judge Bakari's home it is not clear whether the motive was robbery or assassination. The matter has now been turned over to the Major Case Squad of the Karlovac Municipal Police.


Novosti News Service, Belgrade, Wednesday, 21 June 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced that it has placed orders with the Raba firm of Gyor, Hungary, for delivery of an additional quantity of that company's 38M Botond artillery tractor, a design presently in wide use by the Royal Yugoslav Army. At the same time it announced that a further two hundred examples of the Tatra 111 heavy transport lorry will be procured. Given the progress made in the development of domestic motor vehicle production, the resort to procurement from abroad comes as a surprise, but a spokesman for the Ministry indicated that pressing needs required a short term solution. In a related item, the Massey-Harris Machine and Tractor Works Ltd. of Novi-Zagreb announced that it has received instructions from the Defence Ministry to begin production of the Zastava M.40 light utility vehicle; this represents a third source for the sturdy Zastava, with the Austin factory having begun production earlier this year.

The Ministry of Defence Building, Belgrade, Friday, 23 June 1944

General Ljubomir Stefanovic, Chief of the Defence Staff, scanned the preliminary report on the state of the Royal Yugoslav Army's motor transport. Overall, he was appalled.

"I know we have tried so hard," he thought, "but still the gaps are too large..."

The report was plain. Despite all the investment made in the Yugoslav automotive industry, deliveries to the forces fell far short of requirements, and the fleet of vehicles purchased abroad was insufficient. He had to admit that the requirements side of the equation seemed lavish to the politicians who voted in Parliament, but modern warfare required speedy movement. Some categories were better than others, and in a few cases vehicles on hand exceeded requirements - but such a surplus only meant that vehicles in one category were substituted to make good another. He looked up at Colonel Dragoslav Milosavljevic, author of the report.

"You pulled no punches Colonel," he said.

"No sir," replied Milosavljevic. "Our domestic productive capacity is far below requirements, though the Zastava and Novi Sad factories are working flat out. With the Austin factory converting its production over, things will improve somewhat, and they will grow better when the Massey-Harris factory begins production of Triglavs."

Stefanovic frowned. "Yes, the M40 field car is in the shortest supply, only because we need so many; barely twenty percent of requirements are fulfilled."

"True sir," Milosavljevic admitted.

"Even with the last round of purchases in Czechoslovakia and Hungary we will still be short," Stefanovic complained. "Why were the orders not larger?"

"As they are sir they represent the best the factories can deliver in the next year," Milosavljevic replied.

The general re-read the report in silence, pondering his response. "Before I submit your report to the Defence Minister, I want your recommendations on the best course of action to fill these gaps. Obviously, we will need more time to build up our factories; in the interim, I want to know if we can obtain abroad adequate vehicles for our needs without multiplying unnecessarily the types we have in service."

"Very well sir," answered Milosavljevic.

The Latil company of France would like to offer to purchase a production license for the M40 Triglav, build them in France, and then export them for Yugoslavian acquisition. Latil has plenty of space at present for undertaking vehicle manufacture of the scale and requirements necessary for Yugoslavia's needs.

This is a most interesting proposal. Colonel Milosavljevic will be intrigued and much relieved. It is duly noted.

Its also worth noting that Atlantis has something remarkably similar in production...

Pierce-Arrow general purpose vehicle
Production begun in 1937

Quoted

Originally posted by thesmilingassassin
Its also worth noting that Atlantis has something remarkably similar in production...

Pierce-Arrow general purpose vehicle
Production begun in 1937

Why, yes it does! That is another point for Colonel Milosavljevic to consider.