YUGOSLAVIAN CHETNIKS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22354, 22 May 1944, Page 3

YUGOSLAVIAN CHETNIKS

FATE OF MIKHAILOVITCH REPORT NOT CONFIRMED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 22, 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 21 Mussolini’s newspaper Regime Fascista says the Yugoslav Chetniks leader, General Mikhailovitch, was killed by Marshal Tito’s partisans on May 13. The report, which bore the Belgrade dateline, has not been confirrmed from other sources. It said General Mikhailovitch had arrived in Croatia “to conduct operations personally against Communist bands” and was killed on the road between Jagodina and Cyogria. Marshal Tito’s headquarters communique this morning, however, says General Mikhailovitch has taken charge of operations against the partisan troops on the border of Serbie and Sandjak. Strong German reinforcements, including Chetnik troops in German lorries, are pouring into Serbia.

In Croatia, the communique adds, fighting is extremely fierce, especially in Lika province and in a sector of Licko Petrovo Selosuluj, where the enemy has suffered heavy losses. In the Croat province of Slovenia partisan units are waging successful offensive operations in Herzegovina. A strong German and Chetnik column was routed and withdrew towards Trebinje. In western Bosnia three Chetnik battalions were defeated and a military train blown up on the BihacKrup line. Partisan units are carrying out offensie operations in Vtjvadina. The enemy has failed to drive partisan troops from southern Srijem. The German offensive in Istria has broken down.

(JXUJVCII UUWIA.