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{{Infobox military conflict {{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Bukovica massacre | conflict = Battle of Bukovica
| partof = ] | partof = ]
| image = | image =
| caption = | caption =
| date = 4-7 February 1943 | date = 4–7 February 1943
| place = Bukovica, ], ] (modern day ]) | place = ], ] (modern day ])
| coordinates = | coordinates =
| map_type = | map_type =
| map_relief = | map_relief =
| latitude = | latitude =
| longitude = | longitude =
| map_size = | map_size =
| map_marksize = | map_marksize =
| map_caption = | map_caption =
| map_label = | map_label =
| territory = After the short battle, ] came under ] control
| territory =
| result = After short battle with Muslim militia, Bukovica fell under Chetnik control | result = ] victory
| status = | status =
| combatants_header = | combatants_header =
| combatant1 = ] ] | combatant1 = ] ]
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Chetniks Flag.svg}} ] | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Chetniks.svg}} ]
| combatant3 = | combatant3 =
| commander1 = {{Plainlist | | commander1 = {{Plainlist |
* Latif Močević * Latif Močević
* Alija Hadžimusić {{KIA}} * Alija Hadžimusić {{KIA}}
}} }}
| commander2 = {{Plainlist | | commander2 = {{Plainlist |
* ]
* ] * ]
}} }}
| commander3 = | commander3 =
| units1 = {{Plainlist | | units1 = {{Plainlist |
* Bukovica detachment * Bukovica detachment
* Foča detachment * Foča detachment
}} }}
| units2 = {{Plainlist | | units2 = {{Plainlist |
* Mileševa Corps * Mileševa Corps
* Drina Corps * Drina Corps
* Durmitor Brigade * Durmitor Brigade
}} }}
| units3 = | units3 =
| strength1 = 2,500 | strength1 = 2,500
| strength2 = 3,550 | strength2 = 3,550
| strength3 = | strength3 =
| casualties1 = | casualties1 =
| casualties2 = | casualties2 =
| casualties3 = more than 576 civilians | casualties3 = more than 576 civilians
| notes = | notes =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Yugoslavia}} | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Yugoslavia}}
}} }}
{{Islamophobia|Specific incidents}}
The '''Bukovica massacre''' was massacre of ] population of Bukovica, ], ] (modern day ]) commited by ] on 4-7 February 1943.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a|page=113<!-- |quote= Напад на муслиманска села трајао је од 4. до 7. фебруара 1943. -->}}</ref> The massacre occured during early 1943 cleansing campaign of Chetniks conducted against the order of supreme Chetnik command, aimed to establish Chetnik control over territories held by ] to prevent further terror of Ustaše and Muslim militia against Serbs. After short battle with Muslim militia, Chetniks captured Bukovica and massacred more than 500 civilians. The '''Bukovica massacre''' was a ] of ] in ], in the Axis-occupied ]. It took place on 4–7 February 1943,<ref>{{harvnb|Knežević|1969|p=113}}<!--{{quote|Напад на муслиманска села трајао је од 4. до 7. фебруара 1943}}--></ref> during ]'s ]' 1943 cleansing campaign (conducted against the order of supreme Chetnik command). The massacre was aimed at establishing Chetnik control over territories held by the ]. After a short battle with the Muslim militia, Chetniks captured Bukovica and killed over five hundred civilians.


== Background == == Background ==
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=== Geography and demography === === Geography and demography ===


Bukovica is wide rural area in ] in Montenegro. During the Second World War it had a status of municipality. It is part of ] region with substantial ]. It has a long border with eastern Bosnian municipalities ] and ]. Bukovica has {{convert|104|km2|}} and around 37 ] with 1 to 10 houses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bukovica|publisher=Fond za Humanitarno pravo|language=Serbian|year=2003<!-- |quote=Bukovica je prostrano seosko područje u opštiniPljevlja u Crnoj Gori. Prostire se na 104 kvadratna kilo-metra brdsko-planinskog predela. Bogato je šumom,livadama i pašnjacima, voćem i zdravom vodom. Sa tristrane graniči se sa Bosnom i Hercegovinom, a dužinagranice iznosi 140 kilometara. Na padinama planinskihmasiva smešteno je 37 sela, od jedne do deset kuća -->}}</ref> At the beginning of the ] the population of Bukovica was predominantly Muslim with substantial Serb population. ] is a rural area of ] located in northern Montenegro, and is part of the ] region.<ref>{{harvnb|HLC|2003}}<!--Bukovica je prostrano seosko područje u opštiniPljevlja u Crnoj Gori. Prostire se na 104 kvadratna kilo-metra brdsko-planinskog predela. Bogato je šumom,livadama i pašnjacima, voćem i zdravom vodom. Sa tristrane graniči se sa Bosnom i Hercegovinom, a dužinagranice iznosi 140 kilometara. Na padinama planinskihmasiva smešteno je 37 sela, od jedne do deset kuća--></ref> Prior to the start of World War II, the population of Bukovica was predominantly Muslim, with a substantial ] population.


=== Ustaše Muslim militia in Sandžak === === Muslim militia in Sandžak ===


At the end of April and beginning of May 1941 Croatian ] forces captured Sandžak.<ref>{{cite book|last=Srbije|first=Institut za istoriju radničkog pokreta|title=NOR i revolucija u Srbiji, 1941–1945: naučni skup posvećen 30-godišnjici ustanka, održan na Zlatiboru 25–26 septembra 1971|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=pM94AAAAIAAJ|year=1972|publisher=Institut za istoriju radničkog pokreta Srbije|page=465}}</ref> Political representatives of Muslim population requested that territory of Sandžak should be annexed by the ] and expressed their loyalty to its government.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a<!-- |quote= Тако је 15. маја група Муслимана из Шьевал>а, Бяјелог ПоЛ)а и При]епол>а, наводно, у име Муслимана Санцака, предала Анти ПавелиЬу писмо у коме му је изражавала оданост као и НДХ, ... -->}}</ref> ] was established in all regions of Sandžak, including Pljevlja. After withdrawal of Ustaše from Sandžak in September 1943 the region came under control of Italian forces as part of ]. In April 1942 Italians established a battalion of Moslem militia in ], near Čajniče, composed of about 500 Muslims from villages near Pljevlja and Čajniče. A little later a command post of Moslem militia was established in Bukovica, near Pljevlja. It was commanded by Latif Moćević who was the president of Bukovica municipality and whose units attacked and killed local Serbs since the end of May 1942.<ref>{{harv|Vasović|2009|p=36<!-- |ps=: "... u Pljevljima od 16. aprila 1942. uspostavljen je bataljon muslimanske milicije na Metaljci.... iz susjednih sela pljevaljskog i čajničkog sreza upisano oko 500 muslimana,..... Nešto kasnije pored centra muslimanske milicije na Metaljci oformljen je centar i u Bukovici pod komandom Latifa Moćevića. Ova jedinica je već krajem maja 1942. počela da napada i zlostavlja pravoslavne Srbe. Muslimanske gerilske trojke ubile su u Bukovici tri domaćina, u Čestinu dva, u Meljeni ubijen je 21 član iz porodica Danilović i Srndović, spaljene im kuće i opljačkana imovina. U mučenju Srba na Metaljci prednjačio je Hamdija Kondo sa Boljanića." -->}}</ref> At the end of April 1941 and into the beginning of May, Croatian ] forces captured Sandžak.{{sfn|IIRPS|1972|p=465}} Political representatives of the Muslim population requested that the territory of Sandžak should be annexed by the ].<ref>{{harvnb|Knežević|1969|p=}}<!--{{quote|Тако је 15. маја група Муслимана из Шьевал>а, Бяјелог ПоЛ)а и При]епол>а, наводно, у име Муслимана Санцака, предала Анти ПавелиЬу писмо у коме му је изражавала оданост као и НДХ, ...}}--></ref> Thus the ] was established in all regions of Sandžak, including Pljevlja. After withdrawal of the Ustaše from Sandžak in September 1941, the region came under control of Italian forces as part of ]. In April 1942, Italians established a battalion of Muslim militia in ], near Čajniče, composed of about 500 Muslims from villages near Pljevlja and Čajniče. Soon after, a command post of Muslim militia was established in Bukovica, near Pljevlja. It was commanded by Latif Moćević, the president of Bukovica municipality. From the end of May 1942, his units attacked and killed local Serbs.<ref>{{harvnb|Vasović|2009|p=36}}<!--|quote=... u Pljevljima od 16. aprila 1942. uspostavljen je bataljon muslimanske milicije na Metaljci.... iz susjednih sela pljevaljskog i čajničkog sreza upisano oko 500 muslimana ... Nešto kasnije pored centra muslimanske milicije na Metaljci oformljen je centar i u Bukovici pod komandom Latifa Moćevića. Ova jedinica je već krajem maja 1942. počela da napada i zlostavlja pravoslavne Srbe. Muslimanske gerilske trojke ubile su u Bukovici tri domaćina, u Čestinu dva, u Meljeni ubijen je 21 član iz porodica Danilović i Srndović, spaljene im kuće i opljačkana imovina. U mučenju Srba na Metaljci prednjačio je Hamdija Kondo sa Boljanića.}}--></ref>


In December 1942 around 3,000 Muslims attacked Serbian village Buđevo and several surrounding villages near ], burned Serb houses and killed Serb civilians.<ref>{{cite book|last=Redžić|first=Vučeta|title=Građanski rat u Crnoj Gori: Dešavanja od sredine 1942. godine do sredine 1945. godine|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=15awAAAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Stupovi|page=60<!-- |quote=3.000 муслимана је крајем 1942. године напало српско село Буђево и још неколико околних села у сјеничком срезу. -->}}</ref> According to Chetnik sources, Muslims were preparing to expel Serbs who lived on the territory at the right bank of ], Pljevlja, Čajniče and Foča.<ref>{{harv|Pajović|1977|p=57}}</ref>{{Incomplete short citation|date=January 2017}} In December 1942, around 3,000 Muslims attacked the Serbian village of Buđevo and several surrounding villages near ], burning down Serb houses and murdering Serb civilians.{{sfn|Redžić|2002|p=60}}<!-- |quote=3.000 муслимана је крајем 1942. године напало српско село Буђево и још неколико околних села у сјеничком срезу. --> According to Chetnik sources, Muslims were preparing to expel Serbs who lived on the right bank of ], Pljevlja, Čajniče, and Foča.{{sfn|Pajović|1977|p=57}}


=== Order of Draža Mihajlović === === Order of Draža Mihailović ===


With explanation that Ustaše and ] forces continued to attack and kill Serb civilians, rob Serb populated villages and rape women and girls such as in December 1942, on 3 January 1943 ] issued an order for "cleansing of Ustaše-Muslim organizations" from Čajniče region stating that total number of their armed forces was 2,500.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapovest|url=http://www.znaci.net/00001/4_14_2_2.htm|accessdate=3 June 2014<!-- |quote= Kako su ustaško-muslimanske organizacije krajem meseca decembra prošle godine, izvršavajući naloge okupatora, upale u Cajnički srez i po srpskim selima ubijali nevino i nezaštićeno stanovništvo, pljačkali i silovali naše žene i devojke, to da bi se ovaj srez zaštitio od daljeg terora i da bi se u celom srezu uspostavila četnička vlast NAREĐUJEM: Da se za čišćenje Čajničkog sreza od ustaško-mislimanskih organizacija preduzme brza i energična akcija po sledećem: -->}}</ref> Mihajlović issued his order to: On 3 January 1943 ] issued an order for the "cleansing of Ustaše-Muslim organizations" from Čajniče region with the explanation that Ustaše and Sandžak Muslim militia forces had continued to attack and kill Serb civilians, rob Serb-populated villages and rape women and girls. Stating that the total number of their armed forces was 2,500,<ref>{{cite web|title=Zapovest|url=https://znaci.org/00001/4_14_2_2.htm|access-date=3 June 2014<!-- |quote= Kako su ustaško-muslimanske organizacije krajem meseca decembra prošle godine, izvršavajući naloge okupatora, upale u Cajnički srez i po srpskim selima ubijali nevino i nezaštićeno stanovništvo, pljačkali i silovali naše žene i devojke, to da bi se ovaj srez zaštitio od daljeg terora i da bi se u celom srezu uspostavila četnička vlast NAREĐUJEM: Da se za čišćenje Čajničkog sreza od ustaško-mislimanskih organizacija preduzme brza i energična akcija po sledećem: -->}}</ref> Mihailović issued his order to:
# Mileševa Corps, commanded by ] and Railić Radoman, * Mileševa Corps, commanded by ] and Railić Radoman,
# Drina Corps, commanded by Bajo Nikič * Drina Corps, commanded by Bajo Nikič
# Durmitor brigade, commanded by Nikola Bojović * Durmitor brigade, commanded by Nikola Bojović


] and ] in southeastern Bosnia and in the county of ] in the Sandžak.]] ] and ] in southeastern Bosnia and in the county of ] in the Sandžak.]]

=== Đurišić's January raids of revenge === === Đurišić's January raids of revenge ===


On 5 January 1943 Montenegrin Chetniks commanded by ] attacked 33 villages predominantly populated with Muslims in the region of Lower ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Božović|first1=Branislav|last2=Vavić|first2=Milorad|title=Surova vremena na Kosovu i Metohiji: kvislinzi i kolaboracija u drugom svetskom ratu|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-gdnAAAAMAAJ|year=1991|publisher=Institut za savremenu istoriju|page=246|quote=Четници Павла Ђуришића су, 5. јануара 1943. године, напали 33 села у Доњем Бихору, настањеном Муслиманима.}}</ref> They pursued raids of revenge against Sandžak Muslims, many being innocent villagers, with original motive to settle account with Moslem militias.<ref>{{cite book|last=Redžić|first=Vučeta|title=Građanski rat u Crnoj Gori: Dešavanja od sredine 1942. godine do sredine 1945. godine|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=15awAAAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Stupovi|page=60<!-- |quote= Повод за напад четника на муслимане пружили су им они сами. Њихови прваци Хоџа Пачариз, Хасан Звиздић, Ћазим Сијарић, ... -->}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Sedlar|first=Jean W.|title=The Axis empire in southeast Europe, 1939–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DoEhAQAAIAAJ|date=1 September 2007|publisher=Booklocker.com|isbn=978-1-60145-297-9|page=163<!-- |quote=Using Italian-supplied weapons, Chetnik troops led by Captain Pavle Djurisic carried out numerous attacks on Muslims, mostly in the Italian occupation zone. The original motive was probably to settle accounts with the Muslim militias allied ... -->}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lampe|first=John R.|authorlink=John R. Lampe|title=Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=AZ1x7gvwx_8C&pg=PA215|date=28 March 2000|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-77401-7|page=215<!-- |quote=Only the eastern commander Đurišić was openly pro-Mihailović and was probably in contact with Chetnik headquarters in Serbia. But rather than pursue any coordinated operations, Djurisic concentrated on raids of revenge against the Sandzak Muslims, many of them innocent villagers. -->}}</ref> On 5 January 1943 Montenegrin Chetniks, commanded by ], attacked 33 villages predominantly populated with Muslims in the region of Lower ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Božović|first1=Branislav|last2=Vavić|first2=Milorad|title=Surova vremena na Kosovu i Metohiji: kvislinzi i kolaboracija u drugom svetskom ratu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gdnAAAAMAAJ|year=1991|publisher=Institut za savremenu istoriju|page=246|isbn=9788674030400|quote=Четници Павла Ђуришића су, 5. јануара 1943. године, напали 33 села у Доњем Бихору, настањеном Муслиманима.}}</ref> They pursued raids of revenge against Sandžak Muslims, many being innocent villagers, with the goal of settling accounts with Muslim militias.<ref>{{harvnb|Redžić|2002|p=60}}<!--{{quote|Повод за напад четника на муслимане пружили су им они сами. Њихови прваци Хоџа Пачариз, Хасан Звиздић, Ћазим Сијарић}}--></ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Sedlar|first=Jean W.|title=The Axis empire in southeast Europe, 1939–1945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DoEhAQAAIAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Booklocker|isbn=978-1-60145-297-9|page=163<!-- |quote=Using Italian-supplied weapons, Chetnik troops led by Captain Pavle Djurisic carried out numerous attacks on Muslims, mostly in the Italian occupation zone. The original motive was probably to settle accounts with the Muslim militias allied ... -->}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lampe|first=John R.|author-link=John R. Lampe|title=Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AZ1x7gvwx_8C&pg=PA215|year=2000|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-77401-7|page=215<!-- |quote=Only the eastern commander Đurišić was openly pro-Mihailović and was probably in contact with Chetnik headquarters in Serbia. But rather than pursue any coordinated operations, Djurisic concentrated on raids of revenge against the Sandzak Muslims, many of them innocent villagers. -->}}</ref>


On 10 January 1943, Đurišić reported that Chetniks under his command had burned down 33 Muslim villages, killed 400 Muslim fighters, and had also killed about 1,000 Muslim women and children in the region of ]. A group commanded by Lukačević began their attack on 5 January 1943.{{sfn|Dedijer|Miletić|1990|p=379}} As soon as they attacked, Italian forces tried to intervene.{{sfn|Dedijer|Miletić|1990|p=379}} On the same day a unit commanded by ] burned 15 houses and killed 15 people.{{sfn|Dedijer|Miletić|1990|p=379}} The unit commanded by Miraš Savić began to attack on 6 January.{{sfn|Dedijer|Miletić|1990|p=379}} On 10 January, Đurišić reported that the Chetniks under his command had burned down 33 Muslim villages, killed 400 Muslim fighters, and had also killed about 1,000 Muslim women and children in the region of ].


According to some sources, Italians wanted to reward Chetniks because they agreed to participate in the operation (]) against Communists and allowed Chetnik attacks on Muslim population in Sandžak and Montenegro. Chetnik forces began with preparation for this attack on 1 February 1943.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a|page=113<!-- |quote= Као награду за учешће у борби против НОВЈ, НОВЈ, италијанске команде на територији становништвом Црне Горе и Санџака дале су четницима одријешене руке у погледу муслиманског становништва у селима на тој територији. ...Покрет четничких јединица отпочео је 1. фебруара -->}}</ref> According to some sources, Italians wanted to reward Chetniks because they had agreed to participate in the ] operation against Communists. This allowed Chetnik attacks on the Muslim population to occur in Sandžak and Montenegro. Chetnik forces began with preparation for this attack on 1 February 1943.<ref>{{harvnb|Knežević|1969|p=113}}<!--{{quote|Као награду за учешће у борби против НОВЈ, НОВЈ, италијанске команде на територији становништвом Црне Горе и Санџака дале су четницима одријешене руке у погледу муслиманског становништва у селима на тој територији. ...Покрет четничких јединица отпочео је 1. фебруара}}--></ref>


At the end of January 1943 Muslims from Kalinovik in eastern Herzegovina advised Muslims from Bukovica not to allow communists to misuse them against Serbs, like Ustaše already misused them in 1942. This advise was not followed and some Muslims from this region continued to terrorize Serbs from Bukovica and neighboring places.<ref>{{harv|F. Petrović|2009|p=415<!-- |ps=: "... Крајем јануара 1943. штаб батаљона Муслиманске At the end of January 1943, Muslims from Kalinovik in eastern Herzegovina advised Muslims from Bukovica not to allow communists to misuse them against Serbs, like Ustaše had misused them in 1942. This advice was not followed and some Muslims from this region continued to terrorize Serbs from Bukovica and neighboring places.<ref>{{harvnb|Petrović|2009|p=415<!-- |ps=: "... Крајем јануара 1943. штаб батаљона Муслиманске
националне војне организације из Калиновика обратио се „Браћи муслиманима Буковичког краја“ код Пљеваља скрећући им пажњу да их комунисти попут усташа прошле године не искористе против српске православне браће. Зато, каже се даље „водите политику која ће вам донијети умјесто борбе мир и спокојство“. Међутим, ова препорука није уродила плодом. Један дио муслимана овог краја је и даље био у усташким редовима и чинио злодјела Србима из Буковице и сусједних мјеста" -->}}</ref> националне војне организације из Калиновика обратио се „Браћи муслиманима Буковичког краја“ код Пљеваља скрећући им пажњу да их комунисти попут усташа прошле године не искористе против српске православне браће. Зато, каже се даље „водите политику која ће вам донијети умјесто борбе мир и спокојство“. Међутим, ова препорука није уродила плодом. Један дио муслимана овог краја је и даље био у усташким редовима и чинио злодјела Србима из Буковице и сусједних мјеста" -->}}</ref>


After short battle with Muslim militia, Bukovica fell under Chetnik control.<ref> "</ref> After a short battle with Muslim militia, Bukovica fell under Chetnik control.<ref>{{cite book|last=Šarkinović|first=H.|title=Bošnjaci od Načertanija do Memoranduma|location=Podgorica|year=1997|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/165097233/51745980-Hamdija-%C5%A0arkinovi%C4%87-Bo%C5%A1njaci-od-Na%C4%8Dertanija-do-Memoranduma}}{{page needed|date=November 2017}}</ref>


== Casualties == == Casualties ==


The "''Prilog u krvi" Pljevlja 1941-45.godine''" published by the SUBNOR in 1969 presents an incomplete list of 576 victims of Chetnik attack on Bukovica municipality. Most of victims (443) being children under age of 18 because men escaped believing that civilian population of villages would not be in danger. Many civilians were tortured before killing. A number of women and girls were raped. According to also incomplete list, Chetniks burned 1,171 houses and 468 other buildings.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a|page=114<!-- |quote= Највише су страдала дјеца и жене, јер је знатан број мушкараца успио да избјегне рачунајући да нејачи: женама, дјеци и старцима не пријети опасност-->}}</ref> On 1 March 1943 Latif Močević sent a report to ] and informed them about this massacre stating that number of victims in Bukovica was about 500 civilians.<ref>{{harv|Čekić|1996|p=254}}</ref> An incomplete list of 576 victims of the Chetnik attack on Bukovica municipality was published in ''Prilog u krvi Pljevlja 1941–45.godine'' (1969) by the SUBNOR (Union of Veterans of the People's Liberation War). 443 of the listed victims were children under the age of 18. Many of the men escaped, believing that civilian villages would not be in danger. Many civilians were tortured before being killed; a number of women and girls were raped. According to an incomplete list, Chetniks burned 1,171 houses and 468 other buildings.<ref>{{harvnb|Knežević|1969|p=114}}<!--{{quote|Највише су страдала дјеца и жене, јер је знатан број мушкараца успио да избјегне рачунајући да нејачи: женама, дјеци и старцима не пријети опасност}}--></ref> On 1 March 1943 Latif Močević sent a report to the ], informing them about this massacre. He stated that the number of victims in Bukovica was about 500 civilians,{{sfn|Čekić|1996|p=254}} including 81 child in only one village - Močevići.<ref name="Sandzak">{{cite book |last=Živković |first=Milutin |date=2017 |title=Санџак 1941-1943 |language=Serbo-Croatian |trans-title=Sandžak 1941-1943 |page=934}}</ref> In his testimony he said that Chetniks made a toilet from the corpses, which they named ''Muslim Mosque''. Chetniks also threw Muslims regardless of age or gender into ] river, raped girls and then killed them with stakes through their 'private parts' and they tore skin off someone named Hadžija Tahirović from below the knees than up the backs and then the skin was pulled back down the chest. Last brutal act Chetniks called ''Muslim women with a ]''.<ref name="Sandzak" />{{Clarification needed|reason=Nearly impossible to understand as is|date=September 2024}}


The Chetniks killed Pavle Đurković, a notable person from Bukovica, because he was opposed to massacre of Muslims.<ref>{{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a|pages=113, 114<!-- |quote= У току покоља Муслимана изгубио је живот и Павле Ђерковић, из Буковице, један од најугледнијих сељака у пљеваљском срезу, иначе члан КПЈ, који је од првог дана НОБ-а постао њен одани борац. Он се супротставио покољу Муслимана у Буковици, али су га четници ухватили и убили-->}}</ref> The Chetniks killed Pavle Đurković, a notable person from Bukovica, because he was opposed to the massacre of Muslims.<ref>{{harvnb|Knežević|1969|pp=113, 114}}<!--{{quote|У току покоља Муслимана изгубио је живот и Павле Ђерковић, из Буковице, један од најугледнијих сељака у пљеваљском срезу, иначе члан КПЈ, који је од првог дана НОБ-а постао њен одани борац. Он се супротставио покољу Муслимана у Буковици, али су га четници ухватили и убили}}--></ref>


On 16 February Ustaše reported to their Ministry of External Affairs that Latif Močević, a commander of detachment of Muslim militia from Bukovica, and some other members of militia were captured by Italians in Čajniče. According to this report Alija Hadžimusić, a commander of Foča detachment of Muslim militia, was killed in the battle near ]. Ustaše reported that Muslim militia is surrounded near Čajniče, without enough ammunition and on the edge of annihilation.<ref>{{harv|Čekić|1996|p=253}}</ref> On 16 February 1943 Ustaše reported to their ministry of external affairs that Latif Močević, a detachment commander of Muslim militia from Bukovica, and some other militia members were captured by Italians in Čajniče. According to this report, Alija Hadžimusić, a commander of Foča detachment of Muslim militia, was killed in the battle near ]. Ustaše reported that the Muslim militia was surrounded near Čajniče, with insufficient ammunition, being "on the edge of annihilation."{{sfn|Čekić|1996|p=253}}


== Aftermath == == Aftermath ==


On 28 February 1943, there was a conference in Prijepolje attended also by Italian Lieutenant General ] who was commander of all Italian forces in Montenegro. Mentasti explained that Italian forces are not responsible for the massacre in Bukovica. He explained it with the centuries-long conflict between Orthodox and Muslims and with 1 million Serbs murdered mostly by Muslims on the territory of Independent State of Croatia which included Bosnia and Hercegovina. He also accused population of Bukovica for providing haven to a communist agent, which was denied by the mufti Šećerkadić from ]. Mentasti explained that Italian forces can not guarantee security to Muslims of Pljevlja and recommended them to follow example of Muslims from ] and ] who signed agreement with ] and Chetnik General Đukanović.<ref>{{harv|Čekić|1996|p=256}}</ref> On 28 February 1943 there was a conference in Prijepolje attended by Italian Lieutenant General ], who was commander of Italian forces in Montenegro. Mentasti asserted that Italian forces were not responsible for the Bukovica massacre, citing the centuries-long conflict between Orthodox Christians and Muslims. In turn, one million Serbs murdered mostly by Muslims on the territory of the Independent State of Croatia which included Bosnia and Hercegovina. He also accused the population of Bukovica of providing haven to a communist agent, an accusation that was denied by the mufti Šećerkadić from ]. Mentasti explained that Italian forces could not guarantee the security of Muslims in Pljevlja and recommended that they follow the example of Muslims from ] and ] who signed agreements with ] and Chetnik General Đukanović.{{sfn|Čekić|1996|p=256}}

⚫ During the war, communists established a commission for the investigation of war crimes of occupying forces and their collaborators. After the war, this commission investigated the massacre committed by Chetniks in villages of the Pljevlja municipality and emphasized that it was committed by Chetniks commanded by ] and his subordinate officers with the approval of the commander of the ].{{sfn|Čekić|1996|p=463}} This commission composed a list of 95 Muslims and 59 Orthodox Christian war criminals in Pljevlja during the war. Seventeen former Chetniks were accused of committing the Bukovica massacre.<ref>{{harvnb|Petrović|2009|p=436<!-- |quote= Državnoj komisiji u Beogradu iz pljevaljskog kraja...Kada se sve sabere kod Državne komisije za ratne zločine evidentirano je 95 muslimana i 59 pravoslavnih, za učinjene zločine.-->}}</ref>


⚫ During the war, Communists established a commission for investigation of war crimes of occupying forces and their collaborationists. After the war this commission investigated the massacre committed by Chetniks in villages of Pljevlja municipality and emphasized that it was committed by Chetniks commanded by ] and his subordinated officers with approval of the commander of ].<ref>{{harv|Čekić|1996|p=463}}</ref> This commission composed a list of 95 Muslims and 59 Orthodox Christian war criminals in Pljevlja during the war. Seventeen former Chetniks were accused of committing a massacre in Bukovica.<ref>{{harv|F. Petrović|2009|p=436<!-- |quote= Državnoj komisiji u Beogradu iz pljevaljskog kraja...Kada se sve sabere kod Državne komisije za ratne zločine evidentirano je 95 muslimana i 59 pravoslavnih, za učinjene zločine.-->}}
</ref>
== References == == References ==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


== Sources == == Sources ==
{{refbegin}}
⚫ * {{cite book|last=Čekić|first=Smail|title=Genocid nad Bošnjacima u Drugom svjetskom ratu: dokumenti|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=kvlmAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Udruženje Muslimana za antigenocidne aktivnosti| ref = harv}}
;Books
⚫ * {{cite book|last=Vasović|first=Milorad S.|title=Istorija Pljevlja|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DGBBtwAACAAJ|year=2009|publisher=Opština Pljevlja|isbn=978-9940-512-03-3| ref = harv}}
* {{cite book|last=F. Petrović|first=Milić|title=Istorija Pljevalja|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=n1zxZwEACAAJ|year=2009|publisher=Opština Pljevalja|chapter=Nacionalni Pokreti u Pljevaljskom Kraju 1941-1945| ref = harv}} * {{cite book|last1=Dedijer|first1=Vladimir|last2=Miletić|first2=Antun|title=Genocid nad Muslimanima, 1941-1945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_9mAAAAMAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Svjetlost|isbn=9788601015258}}
⚫ * {{cite book|last=Čekić|first=Smail|title=Genocid nad Bošnjacima u Drugom svjetskom ratu: dokumenti|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kvlmAAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=Udruženje Muslimana za antigenocidne aktivnosti}}
* {{cite book|author=IIRPS|title=NOR i revolucija u Srbiji, 1941–1945: naučni skup posvećen 30-godišnjici ustanka, održan na Zlatiboru 25–26 septembra 1971|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pM94AAAAIAAJ|year=1972|publisher=Institut za istoriju radničkog pokreta Srbije (IIRPS)}}
* {{cite book|last=Knežević|first=Danilo|title=Prilog u krvi: Pljevlja 1941–1945|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekdAAAAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Opštinski odbor SUBNOR-a}}
⚫ * {{cite book|last=Vasović|first=Milorad S.|title=Istorija Pljevlja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DGBBtwAACAAJ|year=2009|publisher=Opština Pljevlja|isbn=978-9940-512-03-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Pajović|first=Radoje|year=1977|title=Kontrarevolucija u Crnoj Gori: Četnički i federalistički pokret, 1941–1945|trans-title=The Counter-revolution in Montenegro: The Chetnik and Federalist Movements, 1941–1945|publisher=Obod|location=]|oclc=5351995|language=sh}}
* {{cite book|last=Petrović|first=Milić F.|title=Istorija Pljevalja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n1zxZwEACAAJ|year=2009|publisher=Opština Pljevalja|chapter=Nacionalni Pokreti u Pljevaljskom Kraju 1941-1945}}
* {{cite book|last=Redžić|first=Vučeta|title=Građanski rat u Crnoj Gori: Dešavanja od sredine 1942. godine do sredine 1945. godine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15awAAAAIAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Stupovi}}

;Documents
* {{cite book|author=HLC|title=Bukovica|date=10 February 2003|publisher=]|isbn=86-82599-39-2|url=http://hlc-rdc.org/uploads/editor/Bukovica-srpski.pdf|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119230726/http://hlc-rdc.org/uploads/editor/Bukovica-srpski.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2012|url-status=dead}}
{{refend}}

{{Sandžak Muslim militia}}

{{coord missing|Montenegro}}


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Latest revision as of 19:11, 29 December 2024

Battle of Bukovica
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia
Date4–7 February 1943
LocationBukovica, Pljevlja, Italian governorate of Montenegro (modern day Montenegro)
Result Chetnik victory
Territorial
changes		 After the short battle, Bukovica came under Chetnik control
Belligerents
Sandžak Muslim militia Chetniks
Commanders and leaders
  • Latif Močević
  • Alija Hadžimusić  †
Units involved
  • Bukovica detachment
  • Foča detachment
  • Mileševa Corps
  • Drina Corps
  • Durmitor Brigade
Strength
2,500 3,550
Casualties and losses
more than 576 civilians
World War II in Yugoslavia
1941

Uprisings

  • Uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Uprising in Croatia

1942

1943

1944

1945

Part of a series on
Islamophobia
No mosque
Issues
Status by country
ExamplesAttacks on mosques:

Genocide:

Massacres, torture, expulsion:

Other incidents:

Media
Opposition

The Bukovica massacre was a massacre of Muslims in Bukovica, Pljevlja, in the Axis-occupied Italian governorate of Montenegro. It took place on 4–7 February 1943, during Pavle Đurišić's Chetniks' 1943 cleansing campaign (conducted against the order of supreme Chetnik command). The massacre was aimed at establishing Chetnik control over territories held by the Sandžak Muslim militia. After a short battle with the Muslim militia, Chetniks captured Bukovica and killed over five hundred civilians.

Background

Geography and demography

Bukovica is a rural area of Pljevlja municipality located in northern Montenegro, and is part of the Sandžak region. Prior to the start of World War II, the population of Bukovica was predominantly Muslim, with a substantial Serb population.

Muslim militia in Sandžak

At the end of April 1941 and into the beginning of May, Croatian Ustaše forces captured Sandžak. Political representatives of the Muslim population requested that the territory of Sandžak should be annexed by the Independent State of Croatia. Thus the Sandžak Muslim militia was established in all regions of Sandžak, including Pljevlja. After withdrawal of the Ustaše from Sandžak in September 1941, the region came under control of Italian forces as part of Italian governorate of Montenegro. In April 1942, Italians established a battalion of Muslim militia in Metaljka, near Čajniče, composed of about 500 Muslims from villages near Pljevlja and Čajniče. Soon after, a command post of Muslim militia was established in Bukovica, near Pljevlja. It was commanded by Latif Moćević, the president of Bukovica municipality. From the end of May 1942, his units attacked and killed local Serbs.

In December 1942, around 3,000 Muslims attacked the Serbian village of Buđevo and several surrounding villages near Sjenica, burning down Serb houses and murdering Serb civilians. According to Chetnik sources, Muslims were preparing to expel Serbs who lived on the right bank of Lim, Pljevlja, Čajniče, and Foča.

Order of Draža Mihailović

On 3 January 1943 Draža Mihailović issued an order for the "cleansing of Ustaše-Muslim organizations" from Čajniče region with the explanation that Ustaše and Sandžak Muslim militia forces had continued to attack and kill Serb civilians, rob Serb-populated villages and rape women and girls. Stating that the total number of their armed forces was 2,500, Mihailović issued his order to:

  • Mileševa Corps, commanded by Vojislav Lukačević and Railić Radoman,
  • Drina Corps, commanded by Bajo Nikič
  • Durmitor brigade, commanded by Nikola Bojović
Đurišić's report of 13 February 1943 informing Mihailović of the massacres of Muslims in the counties of Čajniče and Foča in southeastern Bosnia and in the county of Pljevlja in the Sandžak.

Đurišić's January raids of revenge

On 5 January 1943 Montenegrin Chetniks, commanded by Pavle Đurišić, attacked 33 villages predominantly populated with Muslims in the region of Lower Bihor. They pursued raids of revenge against Sandžak Muslims, many being innocent villagers, with the goal of settling accounts with Muslim militias.

A group commanded by Lukačević began their attack on 5 January 1943. As soon as they attacked, Italian forces tried to intervene. On the same day a unit commanded by Rade Korda burned 15 houses and killed 15 people. The unit commanded by Miraš Savić began to attack on 6 January. On 10 January, Đurišić reported that the Chetniks under his command had burned down 33 Muslim villages, killed 400 Muslim fighters, and had also killed about 1,000 Muslim women and children in the region of Bjelo Polje.

According to some sources, Italians wanted to reward Chetniks because they had agreed to participate in the Case White operation against Communists. This allowed Chetnik attacks on the Muslim population to occur in Sandžak and Montenegro. Chetnik forces began with preparation for this attack on 1 February 1943.

At the end of January 1943, Muslims from Kalinovik in eastern Herzegovina advised Muslims from Bukovica not to allow communists to misuse them against Serbs, like Ustaše had misused them in 1942. This advice was not followed and some Muslims from this region continued to terrorize Serbs from Bukovica and neighboring places.

After a short battle with Muslim militia, Bukovica fell under Chetnik control.

Casualties

An incomplete list of 576 victims of the Chetnik attack on Bukovica municipality was published in Prilog u krvi Pljevlja 1941–45.godine (1969) by the SUBNOR (Union of Veterans of the People's Liberation War). 443 of the listed victims were children under the age of 18. Many of the men escaped, believing that civilian villages would not be in danger. Many civilians were tortured before being killed; a number of women and girls were raped. According to an incomplete list, Chetniks burned 1,171 houses and 468 other buildings. On 1 March 1943 Latif Močević sent a report to the 1st Alpine Division Taurinense, informing them about this massacre. He stated that the number of victims in Bukovica was about 500 civilians, including 81 child in only one village - Močevići. In his testimony he said that Chetniks made a toilet from the corpses, which they named Muslim Mosque. Chetniks also threw Muslims regardless of age or gender into Ćehotina river, raped girls and then killed them with stakes through their 'private parts' and they tore skin off someone named Hadžija Tahirović from below the knees than up the backs and then the skin was pulled back down the chest. Last brutal act Chetniks called Muslim women with a burqa.

The Chetniks killed Pavle Đurković, a notable person from Bukovica, because he was opposed to the massacre of Muslims.

On 16 February 1943 Ustaše reported to their ministry of external affairs that Latif Močević, a detachment commander of Muslim militia from Bukovica, and some other militia members were captured by Italians in Čajniče. According to this report, Alija Hadžimusić, a commander of Foča detachment of Muslim militia, was killed in the battle near Čajniče. Ustaše reported that the Muslim militia was surrounded near Čajniče, with insufficient ammunition, being "on the edge of annihilation."

Aftermath

On 28 February 1943 there was a conference in Prijepolje attended by Italian Lieutenant General Luigi Mentasti, who was commander of Italian forces in Montenegro. Mentasti asserted that Italian forces were not responsible for the Bukovica massacre, citing the centuries-long conflict between Orthodox Christians and Muslims. In turn, one million Serbs murdered mostly by Muslims on the territory of the Independent State of Croatia which included Bosnia and Hercegovina. He also accused the population of Bukovica of providing haven to a communist agent, an accusation that was denied by the mufti Šećerkadić from Pljevlja. Mentasti explained that Italian forces could not guarantee the security of Muslims in Pljevlja and recommended that they follow the example of Muslims from Berane and Bijelo Polje who signed agreements with Pavle Đurišić and Chetnik General Đukanović.

During the war, communists established a commission for the investigation of war crimes of occupying forces and their collaborators. After the war, this commission investigated the massacre committed by Chetniks in villages of the Pljevlja municipality and emphasized that it was committed by Chetniks commanded by Draža Mihajlović and his subordinate officers with the approval of the commander of the 1st Alpine Division Taurinense. This commission composed a list of 95 Muslims and 59 Orthodox Christian war criminals in Pljevlja during the war. Seventeen former Chetniks were accused of committing the Bukovica massacre.

References

  1. Knežević 1969, p. 113
  2. HLC 2003
  3. IIRPS 1972, p. 465.
  4. Knežević 1969
  5. Vasović 2009, p. 36
  6. Redžić 2002, p. 60.
  7. Pajović 1977, p. 57.
  8. "Zapovest". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  9. Božović, Branislav; Vavić, Milorad (1991). Surova vremena na Kosovu i Metohiji: kvislinzi i kolaboracija u drugom svetskom ratu. Institut za savremenu istoriju. p. 246. ISBN 9788674030400. Четници Павла Ђуришића су, 5. јануара 1943. године, напали 33 села у Доњем Бихору, настањеном Муслиманима.
  10. Redžić 2002, p. 60
  11. Sedlar, Jean W. (2007). The Axis empire in southeast Europe, 1939–1945. Booklocker. p. 163. ISBN 978-1-60145-297-9.
  12. Lampe, John R. (2000). Yugoslavia as History: Twice There Was a Country. Cambridge University Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-0-521-77401-7.
  13. ^ Dedijer & Miletić 1990, p. 379.
  14. Knežević 1969, p. 113
  15. Petrović 2009, p. 415
  16. Šarkinović, H. (1997). Bošnjaci od Načertanija do Memoranduma. Podgorica.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. Knežević 1969, p. 114
  18. Čekić 1996, p. 254.
  19. ^ Živković, Milutin (2017). Санџак 1941-1943 [Sandžak 1941-1943] (in Serbo-Croatian). p. 934.
  20. Knežević 1969, pp. 113, 114
  21. Čekić 1996, p. 253.
  22. Čekić 1996, p. 256.
  23. Čekić 1996, p. 463.
  24. Petrović 2009, p. 436

Sources

Books
Documents
Sandžak Muslim militia
Notable commanders
Engagements
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