Battle of Višegrad

The Battle of Višegrad was the battle between Chetnik forces and Axis, and part of an Chetnik offensive in Eastern Bosnia in autumn of 1943, in Axis occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. The Chetnik forces of 2,500 captured Višegrad, destroyed big railway bridge across river Drina and continued their advances toward Rogatica and Sokolac. The German and Ustaše garrison in Višegrad and garrison that protected the bridge of total 1,100 soldiers had 350 dead and 400 wounded. The Chetniks had 21 dead and 30 wounded. In subsequent battle for Rogatica waged ten days later, the Chetniks captured Rogatica and killed more than 200 Axis soldiers.

Battle of Višegrad
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia
Date5 October 1943
Location
Result

Chetnik victory

  • Chetniks captured Višegrad and destroyed big railway bridge over river Drina
  • Massacre of Muslim civilian population
Belligerents
Axis: Chetniks
Commanders and leaders
Berislav Predojević Dragoslav Račić
Zaharije Ostojić
Units involved

Croatian Home Guard

  • 2nd Battalion of the 6th Mountain Regiment

369th Infantry Division

  • Two companies of the 370th Regiment
  • platoon of the gendarmerie
local Muslim militia

Chetniks

  • Cer-Majevica Corps
  • Drina Corps (elements)
  • 1st Rogatica Brigade
Strength
1,100 2,500–3,000
Casualties and losses
350 dead and 400 wounded 21 dead and 30 wounded
more than 2,000 Bosnian Muslim civilians

This Chetniks' victories against Axis were attributed by BBC to Tito's Communist Partisan forces, like in many other cases in that period of the war. Despite many protests, the BBC did not make any corrections. When Chetniks attacked Sokolac on 21 October 1943, the Partisans attacked them from rear and Chetniks found themselves under attack of Axis and Communist forces which ended advances of Chetniks into Eastern Bosnia and toward Sarajevo. This was emphasized by Chetnik commander Mihailović as another proof that Communists collaborated with Ustaše and Germans.

During the period, in which battle of Višegrad took place, the Chetnik command was embedded with a members of the British and American mission.

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