Case Black

Part of World War II in Yugoslavia

Map of Case Black, superimposed on modern-day borders

Date

May 15–June 16, 1943

Location

Vicinity of the Sutjeska river, southeastern Bosnia, occupied Yugoslavia

Result

Inconclusive

Axis failure despite heavy Partisan casualties

Belligerents

Axis:

Italy

Germany

Independent State of Croatia

Bulgaria

Allies:

Partisans

Commanders and leaders

Alexander Löhr

Rudolf Lüters

Josip Broz Tito

Strength

127,000 men
300+ aircraft

22,148 men

Casualties and losses

German casualties:
583 killed, 1,760 wounded, 425 missing
Italian casualties:
290 killed, 541 wounded, 1,502 missing
Croatian casualties:
40 killed, 166 wounded, 205 missing
Total Axis casualties:
913 killed, 2,467 wounded, 2,132 missing

2/3 killed and wounded
(6,391–7,543 killed)

2,537 pro-Partisan civilian sympathizers executed

Inconclusive

Case Black (German: Fall Schwarz), also known as the Fifth Enemy Offensive (Serbo-Croatian: Peta neprijateljska ofanziva) in Yugoslav historiography and often identified with its final phase, the Battle of the Sutjeska (Serbo-Croatian: Bitka na Sutjesci pronounced [bîtka na sûtjɛst͡si]) was a joint attack by the Axis taking place from 15 May to 16 June 1943, which aimed to destroy the main Yugoslav Partisan force, near the Sutjeska river in south-eastern Bosnia. The failure of the offensive marked a turning point for Yugoslavia during World War II.

The operation immediately followed Case White which had failed in accomplishing the same objectives: to eliminate the central Partisan formations and capture their commander, Marshal Josip Broz Tito.

The Axis rallied 127,000 land troops for the offensive, including German, Italian, NDH, Bulgarian, and over 300 airplanes. The Yugoslav National Liberation Army had 22,148 soldiers in 16 brigades. After a period of troop concentration, the offensive started on 15 May 1943. The Axis troops used the advantage of better starting positions to encircle and isolate the partisans on the Durmitor mountain area, located between the Tara and Piva rivers in the mountainous areas of northern Montenegro and forced them to engage in a fierce month-long battle on waste territory.

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Wikipedia