Case Black

Case Black (German: Fall Schwarz), also known as the Fifth Enemy Offensive (Serbo-Croatian Latin: Peta neprijateljska ofanziva) in Yugoslav historiography and often identified with its final phase, the Battle of the Sutjeska (Serbo-Croatian Latin: 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. It was also the last major German-Italian joint operation against the partisans.

Case Black
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia

Map of Case Black, superimposed on modern-day borders
Date15 May – 16 June 1943
Location
Northwestern Montenegro and southeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, occupied Yugoslavia
Result

Inconclusive

  • Axis failure despite heavy Partisan casualties
Belligerents
Axis:
 Italy
 Germany
 Croatia
 Bulgaria
Allies:
 Yugoslav Partisans
Commanders and leaders
Alexander Löhr
Rudolf Lüters
Josip Broz Tito (WIA)
Velimir Terzić
Koča Popović
Peko Dapčević
Vlado Šegrt
Pavle Jakšić
Radovan Vukanović
Sava Kovačević 
Strength
127,000 men
300+ aircraft
Around 22,148 men
Casualties and losses
583 killed, 1,760 wounded, 425 missing
290 killed, 541 wounded, 1,502 missing
40 killed, 166 wounded, 205 missing
Total casualties:
913 killed, 2,467 wounded, 2,132 missing
1/3 killed and wounded
(6,391–7,543 killed and wounded)
2,537 pro-Partisan civilian sympathizers executed

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

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