6 Issue No. 43 This article explores the key and varied roles the RAF Regiment played, as part of a British force, in supporting the Partisans liberation of Yugoslavia from 1944 to 1945. Introduction If you Google or use AI tools to find information about the liberation of the Balkans or the key operations that British troops took part in to support the Partisans, it is unlikely you will find anything about the RAF Regiment. This then is about setting the level playing field and even at a summarised level, allowing you to see the key and varied contribution the Gunners of the RAF Regiment made in supporting the successful liberation of Yugoslavia in 1945. Historical context of the Balkan campaign In 1942 the German forces had a strong hold on Europe and had given Russia more than a bloody nose. And more than ever, there was a need for a clear joint strategy to defeat the Axis forces. Building on the Anglo-American Strategy, which was agreed at the Washington Conference, a United Nations Declaration was signed in January 1942, between the US, UK, USSR and China. Which provided a coalition and an agreed strategy to defeat Germany and the Axis forces. Key to the strategy, was the aim to ‘close and tighten the noose’ and continue the development of offensive action to wear down and undermine the German forces. RAF Regiment in Yugoslavia WW2: Uncovering the forgotten role played in supporting the liberation of Yugoslavia 1944-45 There remained though a difference of opinion amongst the Allies, around strategic priorities. The US favoured an invasion of Northwest Europe, while the UK and Russia favoured a multi-front battle of attrition against the Axis forces. The invasion of Northwest Europe became the agreed priority, and the Mediterranean campaign was placed on a lesser footing, such that some called it the “Cinderella” front. As such, the level of resources allocated to this front would be restricted and in particular to the Balkans, it meant a reliance on building the Partisans up to be the main ground force fighting the Germans. Though clearly they lacked any air power. RAF Regiments Role in the Liberation of Yugoslavia The Balkan Air Force (BAF) was formed in June 1944, initially to create streamlined air support for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) missions in the Balkans. Based at Bari airport, Italy, it was formed as a subordinate arm of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force (MAAF) and was composed of air forces from Britain, South Africa, Greece, Italy and Yugoslavia. It played a critical role in weakening the Axis forces in the Balkans and demonstrated the strategic value of co-ordinated air operations in a guerrilla war setting. 1321 Wing, RAF Regiment was attached to BAF and initially set its headquarter up at Bari airport. Though the responsibility for the RAF Regiment squadrons, in supporting the liberation of Yugoslavia would later, in September, transfer to the newly formed 1328 Wing HQ. The island of Vis was Tito’s (Yugolsav Partisan leader) stronghold and although small, the landing ground on the island was the nearest launchpad available to the British forces to provide fighter support to the Partisans The task with initially protecting the landing ground at Vis, came down to a single flight from 2867 (LAA) squadron, with their 20mm Hispano cannons. They arrived on the island in June and soon learnt how nervous the Partisans were allowing the British to get too close to their operations. Arriving on the island in July, 2825 (F) Squadron was soon employed, working with the Special Boat Service (SBS) and Royal Artillery (RA) units, providing gun party protection, supporting the Partisans in their attacks on the German Army garrisoned on the islands surrounding Yugoslavia. The key gun party protection taskings for the squadron in September included Operations ‘Fishnet’, ‘Pelforce’ and ‘Grandfather I’ as shown in the map below. Supporting these operations on the surrounding islands and other ad hoc raids, lasted until around October 1944. At the same time the Army withdrew from the island of Vis and 2825 (F) Squadron became responsible for the domestic and logistical operation of the island, including the administration of POWs. October also saw the arrival of 2923 (LAA) Squadron to Vis, with their twelve 40mm Bofors guns for airfield defence, which replaced the flight from 2867 (LAA) Squadron. But with only four of the twelve guns needed to defend the landing ground, the squadron soon took over garrison duties. 2825 (F) Squadron were busy during
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