Kosovo Operation (1944)

The Kosovo Operation (15 October–22 November 1944) was a series of military operations leading up to one final push during World War II, launched by the Bulgarian army (commanded by Major General Kiril Stanchev) with the assistance of Albanian and Yugoslav Partisans to expel German forces from Kosovo and prevent the retreat of German forces from Greece. German Army Group E was withdrawing through it from Greece towards Bosnia, since the escape route through Niš and Belgrade had been closed by the Yugoslav Partisan, Bulgarian and Soviet forces (during the Belgrade Offensive).

Kosovo Operation
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia

Bulgarian armored brigade in November 1944 in Podujevo, Yugoslavia
Date15 October – 22 November 1944
Location
Kosovo, Albanian Kingdom
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Bulgaria
Yugoslav Partisans
LANÇ

 Germany

Commanders and leaders
Units involved
  • 2nd Bulgarian Army
    • 2nd Division
    • 4th Division
    • 6th Division
    • 9th Division
    • 12th Division
  • National Liberation Army
    • 24th Serbian Division
    • 46th Serbian Division
    • 1st Kos-Met Brigade
    • 2nd Kos-Met Brigade
    • 3rd Kos-Met Brigade
    • 4th Kos-Met Brigade
    • 5th Kos-Met Brigade
  • National Liberation Movement
    • 3rd Brigade
    • 5th Brigade
For other combat operations in the Kosovo region, see Battle of Kosovo (disambiguation).

The operation resulted in the capture of Kosovo by the Communists, although the Germans were able to successfully withdraw most of their forces and break out of the encirclement the combined communist forces had set up. By the end of the month Bulgarian 9th Infantry Division pursued the retreating enemy and reached the defensive line Raška–Novi Pazar.

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