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{{short description|Former unit of the Yugoslav Partisans during World War II}}
{{good article}}
{{infobox military unit {{infobox military unit
|unit_name= 1st Split Partisan Detachment |unit_name= 1st Split Partisan Detachment
|image= Spomenik Splitskom partizanskom odredu.jpg
|image=
|caption= Memorial at the place of the Detachment formation
|caption=
|dates=11–14 August 1941 |dates=11–14 August 1941
|country= |country=
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<!-- Commanders --> <!-- Commanders -->
|commander1= |commander1=
|commander1_label= |commander1_label= ]
|commander2= |commander2=
|commander2_label= |commander2_label=
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|commander4= |commander4=
|commander4_label= |commander4_label=
|notable_commanders=Đordano Borovčić |notable_commanders=Đordano Borovčić-Kurir
<!-- Insignia --> <!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol= |identification_symbol=
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}} }}


The '''1st Split Partisan Detachment''' ({{lang-sh-Latn|Prvi splitski partizanski odred}}) or the '''1st Split Detachment''' ({{lang-sh-Latn|Prvi splitski odred|links=no}}) was a short-lived unit of the ] during ]. It was composed of volunteers from the city of ] and was created in August 1941, just four months after the ] ], and the ] of Split and most of ] by the ]. The unit, composed mostly of young men with little or no fighting experience, planned to relocate to the ] mountains to join other Partisan units in fighting the Axis powers. The '''1st Split Partisan Detachment''' ({{langx|sh|Prvi splitski partizanski odred}}) or the '''1st Split Detachment''' ({{langx|sh|Prvi splitski odred|links=no}}) was a short-lived unit of the ] during ]. It was composed of volunteers from the city of ] and was created in August 1941, just four months after the ] ], and the ] of Split and most of ] by the ]. The unit, composed mostly of young men with little or no fighting experience, planned to relocate to the ] mountains to join other Partisan units in fighting the Axis powers.


After initial organizational problems, the weakened detachment reached an area near the village of ] where they were engaged by ] backed by Italian reinforcements. After a day of fighting and the death of one of their commanders, members of the detachment began to retreat. In the end, the Partisans suffered four ] and 25 taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. All but three of the prisoners were later executed by firing squad. After initial organizational problems, the weakened detachment reached an area near the village of ] where they were engaged by ] backed by Italian reinforcements. After a day of fighting and the death of one of their commanders, members of the detachment began to retreat. In the end, the Partisans suffered four ] and 25 taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. All but three of the prisoners were later executed by firing squad. A Split Detachment was reformed, but most of its fighters were part of the 3rd Dalmatian Assault Brigade.


==Background== ==Background==
] following the city's occupation.]]
The ] began their ] of the ] on 6 April 1941. Just four days later, a ] known as the ] ({{lang-sh-Latn|Nezavisna Država Hrvatska}} – NDH) was declared, encompassing most of modern day ], ] and parts of modern day ]. In accordance with the ] signed by the ] leadership of the NDH, a large part of Croatian coastline and islands, including the cities of ] and ], were to be incorporated into the ]. The low morale of Yugoslav troops in Split and the uncontested advance of the Italian Army through Dalmatia resulted in a number of desertions. Paramilitary formations of the ] (''Hrvatska Seljačka Stranka'', HSS) disarmed soldiers, and by 11 April, there were no organized military formations in Split, and a large number of police and ] switched their allegiance to the NDH. With Split under the control of the new Ustaše government, the authorities apprehended 300 citizens whom they deemed to be political enemies. On 13 April, members of the ] ({{lang-sh-Latn|Savez komunističke omladine Jugoslavije|links=no}}, SKOJ) broke in to a number of Ustaše weapons depots, stealing dozens of rifles and machine guns, as well as ammunition and hand grenades.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=42}} The ] began their ] of the ] on 6 April 1941. Just four days later, a ] known as the ] ({{langx|sh|Nezavisna Država Hrvatska}} – NDH) was declared, encompassing most of modern-day ], ] and parts of modern-day ]. In accordance with the ] signed by the ] leadership of the NDH, a large part of the Croatian coastline and islands, including the city of ] were incorporated into the ]. The low morale of Yugoslav troops in Split and the uncontested advance of the Italian Army through Dalmatia resulted in a number of desertions. Paramilitary formations of the ] ({{langx|sh|Hrvatska Seljačka Stranka|links=no}}, HSS) disarmed soldiers. By 11 April, there were no organized military formations remaining in Split, and a large number of police and ] switched their allegiance to the NDH. With Split under the control of the new Ustaše government, the authorities apprehended 300 citizens they deemed to be political enemies. On 13 April, members of the ] ({{langx|sh|Savez komunističke omladine Jugoslavije|links=no}}, SKOJ) broke into a number of Ustaše weapons depots, stealing dozens of rifles and machine guns, as well as ammunition and hand grenades.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=42}}


On the evening of 15 April, the first troops of the Italian Army entered Split, signifying the start of their occupation. On 21 April, civil control of Split was passed from the NDH to Italian authorities followed by the raising of the Italian flag over the city. On 18 May, the Kingdom of Italy and the NDH signed the Treaties of Rome, confirming Italian rule of Dalmatia, including Split.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=43}} On the evening of 15 April, the first troops of the Italian Army entered Split, signifying the start of their occupation. On 21 April, civil control of Split passed from the NDH to Italian authorities, followed by the raising of the Italian flag over the city. On 18 May, Italy and the NDH signed the Treaties of Rome, confirming Italian rule of Dalmatia, including Split.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=43}}


==History== ==History==

===Formation=== ===Formation===
On 7 August 1941, Pavle Pap-Šilja and Mirko Kovačević-Lala arrived in Split with instructions from the Central Committee of the ] ({{lang-sh-Latn|Centralni komitet komunističke partije Hrvatske|links=no}}) to discuss the forming of Partisan detachments to fight the Axis occupiers. In a meeting with the members of the Regional Committee, they agreed that the area of operations of the new resistance detachments should be the Dinara mountains where their fighters could rely on support from the population of the Sinj and ] regions as well as other Partisan formations in ] and ]. The main problem with the plan was the time needed to organize the detachments and relocate them to the Dinara mountains. Moving to these new fighting areas meant crossing the rough terrain of ], whose population was not supportive of the Partisans. Despite these issues, it was decided that in the next two days the Regional Committee would form seven Partisan detachments, including one from Split.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=51}}{{sfn|Gizdić|1957|p=242}} On 7 August 1941, Pavle Pap-Šilja and Mirko Kovačević-Lala arrived in Split with instructions from the Central Committee of the ] ({{langx|sh|Centralni komitet komunističke partije Hrvatske|links=no}}) to discuss the forming of ] detachments to fight the Axis occupiers. In a meeting with the members of the Regional Committee, they agreed that the new detachments should operate in the ] mountains where their fighters could rely on support from the population of the ] and ] regions as well as other Partisan formations planned for ] and ]. This plan meant that the detachments would have to be formed and then relocated to the Dinara mountains. Relocation meant crossing the rough terrain of ], whose population did not support the Partisans. Despite these difficulties, it was decided that in the next two days the Regional Committee would form seven detachments, including one from Split.{{sfn|Leontić|1960|p=51}}{{sfn|Gizdić|1957|p=242}}


According to the initial plan, on the night of 11 August, the Split Detachment was to move just outside Split and collect weapons that had been captured on 13 April. They would then link up with the Solin Detachment and continue towards ], and from there to ] to meet with the Sinj Detachment. On 8 August, a meeting of Communist Party members and sympathisers was held in a field house between Split and ] to ask for volunteers for joining the detachment. The Split Detachment was formed on 11 August, consisting of 66 members organized in three ]s. The detachment left Split on the same day, commanded by Đordano Borovčić-Kurir and ] Alfred Santini, and accompanied by Mirko Kovačević-Lala who was in command of all Partisan detachments in Dalmatia.{{sfn|Gizdić|1957|p=247-250}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135-145}} According to the initial plan, on the night of 11 August, the Split Detachment was to move just outside the town and collect weapons that had been captured on 13 April. They would then link up with the Solin Detachment and continue towards ]. From there, they would travel to ] to meet with the Sinj Detachment. On 8 August, a meeting of Communist Party members and sympathisers was held in a field house between Split and ] to ask for volunteers to join the Split Detachment. The detachment was formed on 11 August, and consisted of 66 members organized in three ]s. The detachment departed Split on the same day, under the command of Đordano Borovčić-Kurir with ] Alfred Santini, and accompanied by Kovačević-Lala who was in overall command of all Partisan detachments in Dalmatia.{{sfn|Gizdić|1957|pp=247–250}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135–145}}


===Ambush and aftermath=== ===Ambush and aftermath===
The Split Detachment encountered a problem when the 2nd Platoon got lost and missed a rendezvous with the 1st and 3rd Platoon, which were waiting for them near ]. The 2nd Platoon was therefore disbanded while the rest of the detachment continued via ] to ] where they were to meet up with their guides. They arrived on the night of 12 August, and upon realizing their guides were not there, decided to continue alone towards Kamešnica. At dawn on 13 August, after a night of wandering after getting lost, the detachment, now without any supplies, camped near the village of Krušvar. In the evening they once again continued towards Kamešnica, and at dawn on 14 August, they camped near the village of Košute, near ]. Borovčić tasked two fighters to go to the village and ask the locals for water and directions. After talking to some locals, the fighters were fired upon by a member of the Ustaše Militia from the village. They returned fire, continued back to their camp and notified the others about the incident.{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135-145}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}} The plan went awry when the 2nd Platoon got lost and missed a rendezvous with the 1st and 3rd Platoon, which were waiting for them near ]. The 2nd Platoon was therefore disbanded while the rest of the detachment continued via ] to ] where they were to meet up with their guides. They arrived on the night of 12 August, and upon realizing their guides were not there, decided to continue alone towards Kamešnica, but got lost and ran out of supplies during the night. At dawn on 13 August the detachment camped near the village of Krušvar. In the evening they once again continued towards Kamešnica, and at dawn on 14 August, they camped near the village of Košute, near ]. Borovčić-Kurir tasked two fighters to go into the village and ask the locals for water and directions. After talking to some locals, the fighters were fired upon by a member of the Ustaše Militia of the village. They returned fire then continued back to their camp and notified the others about the incident.{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135–145}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}


Just as they finished their report, the detachment came under fire from the Ustaše Militia. The Ustaše called for help from Sinj, and by 18:00, Italian reinforcements had arrived and began encircling the detachment, engaging them with ] and light ]. Outnumbered and facing an enemy with greater firepower, the Partisans planned to hold their positions until evening when they planned to retreat using the cover of dark. At about 20:00, Mirko Kovačević-Lala, one of the most experienced members of the detachment, was killed after being hit by a mortar round, his death having a significant effect on the morale of the remaining fighters. Borovčić's order to retreat soon turned into chaos, as individuals fled the area.{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135-145}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}} Just as they finished their report, the detachment was fired on by Ustaše Militia. The Ustaše called for help from Sinj, and by 18:00, Italian reinforcements had arrived and began encircling the detachment, engaging them with ] and light ]. Outnumbered and facing an enemy with greater firepower, the Partisans planned to hold their positions until evening then retreat using the cover of darkness. About 20:00, Kovačević-Lala, one of the most experienced members of the detachment, was killed after being hit by a mortar round, which had a significant effect on the morale of the remaining fighters. Borovčić-Kurir issued the order to retreat, but it turned into chaos as individuals fled the area.{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135–145}}{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}


Four Partisans died in the fighting, while another three were summarily shot after capture. Twenty-five were captured and taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. The 25 that were captured were moved to Sinj, where one of the prisoners was beaten to death. The rest were placed on trial before a special court that was sent from ]. Three prisoners were acquitted while the remaining 21 were taken to Ruduša near Sinj, and executed by ].{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135-145}} Four Partisans died in the fighting, and three more were summarily shot after capture. Twenty-five were captured and taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. The 25 that were captured were moved to Sinj, where one of the prisoners was beaten to death. The rest were placed on trial before a special court that was sent from ]. Three prisoners were acquitted while the remaining 21 were taken to Ruduša near Sinj, and executed by ].{{sfn|Kovač|Vojnović|1976|pp=367–372}}{{sfn|Kvesić|1960|pp=135–145}} According to the Yugoslav historian Mate Šalov, a Split Detachment was still active at the time of the ] in September 1943, but only consisted of the detachment staff and a few fighters, with the Dinara Battalion forming part of the 3rd Dalmatian Assault Brigade.{{sfn|Šalov|1980|p=17}}


==Commemoration== ==Commemoration==
After the war, the 1st Split Partisan Detachment was honored with a monument and a ] was named after Borovčić. In 1962, a monument was erected in Ruduša where the captured members of the detachment were executed. The monument was renovated in 2009 with financial aid from the owners of the ] football club, as several members of the detachment were footballers playing for RNK Split at the time.{{sfn|Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik}} In 1981 a monument dedicated to the Detachment was placed in the Vinkovačka street in Split. In July 2013 the monument was vandalized by unknown perpetrators who spray paintined symbols of the Ustaše, ]s and the abbreviations of the ] (''Hrvatska građanska stranka''; HGS) and the ] (''Hrvatska čista stranka prava''; HČSP). The occasion was the second time the monument was damaged.{{sfn|Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima}} After the war, a ] was named after Borovčić-Kurir. In 1962, the 1st Split Partisan Detachment was commemorated with a {{convert|15|m|ftin|abbr=off|lk=in}} tall monument designed by Vuko Bombardelli, which was erected in Ruduša where the captured members of the detachment were executed. The monument was destroyed by an explosion in August 1992, during the ].{{sfn|Zaboravljena strijeljana splitska dica}} It was renovated in 2009 with financial aid from the owners of the ] football club, as several members of the detachment had played for the club before the war.{{sfn|Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik}} In 1981, a monument dedicated to the detachment was placed in Vinkovačka street in Split. In July 2013, this monument was vandalized by unknown perpetrators who spray painted symbols of the Ustaše, ]s, and the initials of the ] (''Hrvatska građanska stranka''; HGS) and the ] (''Hrvatska čista stranka prava''; HČSP). This was the second time the monument had been damaged.{{sfn|Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima}} A movie about the detachment, entitled '']'' and directed by Vojdrag Berčić, was released in 1972.{{sfn|Prvi splitski odred}}


In August 2014 Mayor ] announced he would make a proposition to the City council to name a street in the Mejaši neighbourhood after the detachment.{{sfn|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}} The initiative was meet opposition from the Mejaši district leaders explaning that the people living in Mejaši had a "different political orientation" and that the "encouraging and forcing of such subjects, deliberately and precisely devalues the ] and all of its values".{{sfn|Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'}} The initiative was also met with opposition from the ] (''Hrvatska demokratska zajednica''; HDZ) council members who accused Baldasar of "forging history" because the "detachment was never Partisan, and its members didn't die under Partisan insignia." The HDZ councilman further explained that even during ], the street that was named after the detachment didn't use the word ''Partisan'' in it.{{sfn|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}} Members of the Organization of Anti-fascists and Anti-fascist Fighters of Split were also dissatisfied because the proposal was made for a minor street at the edge of the city. Faced with these disapprovals, Baldasar withdrew his proposal during the Council meeting on 25 August, explaining he can't "allow arguments surrounding street names".{{sfn|Baldasar: Ne mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice}} In August 2014, the Mayor of Split ] announced he would propose that the Split city council name a street in the Mejaši neighbourhood after the detachment.{{sfn|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}} The initiative was met with opposition from the Mejaši district leaders, who stated that people living in Mejaši had a "different political orientation" and that such action would devalue the Croatian War of Independence and all of its values.{{sfn|Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'}} The initiative was also met with opposition from the ] (''Hrvatska demokratska zajednica''; HDZ) members of the council who accused Baldasar of "forging history", because "the detachment was never Partisan, and its members didn't die under Partisan insignia." A HDZ council member explained that even during the existence of the ], the street that was named after the detachment did not have the word ''Partisan'' in it.{{sfn|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}} Members of the Organization of Anti-fascists and Anti-fascist Fighters of Split were also dissatisfied because the proposal was intended for a minor street at the edge of the city. Faced with this opposition, Baldasar withdrew his proposal during a council meeting on 25 August, explaining that he could not "allow arguments surrounding street names".{{sfn|Baldasar: Ne mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice}}


==Notes== ==Notes==
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;Books ;Books
{{refbegin|2}} {{refbegin|2}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|last=Leontić|first=Boro|year=1960|title=Split 1941|url=http://books.google.hr/books/about/Split_1941.html?id=zL0BAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y|location= ]|publisher=Prosveta|accessdate=4 September 2014}} *{{cite book|last=Leontić|first=Boro|year=1960|title=Split 1941|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zL0BAAAAMAAJ|location= ]|publisher=Prosveta|oclc=23573206|access-date=4 September 2014}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|last=Kvesić|first=Sibe|year=1960|title=Dalmacija u Narodnooslobodilačkoj borbi|url=http://katalog.kgz.hr/pagesResults/bibliografskiZapis.aspx?&currentPage=1&searchById=1&sort=0&fid0=4&fv0=Lykos&spid0=1&spv0=&selectedId=86003937|location= ]|publisher=Lykos|accessdate=4 September 2014}} *{{cite book|last=Kvesić|first=Sibe|year=1960|title=Dalmacija u Narodnooslobodilačkoj borbi|trans-title=Dalmatia in the People's Liberation War|url=http://katalog.kgz.hr/pagesResults/bibliografskiZapis.aspx?&currentPage=1&searchById=1&sort=0&fid0=4&fv0=Lykos&spid0=1&spv0=&selectedId=86003937|location=]|publisher=Lykos|oclc=22095267|access-date=4 September 2014}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|last1=Kovač|first1=Tatjana|last2=Vojnović|first2=Mijo|year=1976|title=U spomen revoluciji|url=http://books.google.hr/books/about/U_spomen_revoluciji.html?id=f1OFAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y|publisher=Institut za historiju radničkog pokreta Dalmacije|accessdate=4 September 2014}} *{{cite book|last1=Kovač|first1=Tatjana|last2=Vojnović|first2=Mijo|year=1976|title=U spomen revoluciji|trans-title=In Remembrance of the Revolution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f1OFAAAAIAAJ|publisher=Institut za historiju radničkog pokreta Dalmacije|location=]|oclc=442814475|access-date=4 September 2014}}
*{{cite book|ref=harv|last1=Gizdić|first1=Drago|year=1957|url=http://books.google.hr/books/about/Dalmacija_1941.html?id=MaUaAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y|title=Dalmacija 1941: prilozi historiji Narodnooslobodilačke borbe|trans_title=Dalmatia 1941: Contribution to the History of the People's Liberation War|work=Institut za historiju radničkog pokreta Dalmacije|publisher=27. srpanj|accessdate=4 September 2014}} *{{cite book|last1=Gizdić|first1=Drago|year=1957|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MaUaAAAAIAAJ|title=Dalmacija 1941: prilozi historiji Narodnooslobodilačke borbe|trans-title=Dalmatia 1941: Contribution to the History of the People's Liberation War|publisher=27. srpanj|location=Zagreb|oclc=41008546|access-date=4 September 2014}}
*{{cite book|last1=Šalov|first1=Mate|year=1980|title=Četvrta Dalmatinska (Splitska) brigada|trans-title=4th Dalmatian (Split) Brigade|publisher=Institut za historiju radničkog pokreta Dalmacije|location=Split|oclc=641824519}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}


;Other sources
;News reports
{{refbegin|2}} {{refbegin|2}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik}}|newspaper=EZadar|url=http://www.ezadar.hr/clanak/rudusa-braca-zuzul-obnovila-partizanski-spomenik|title=Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik|trans_title=Ruduša: The Žužul brothers renovated a Partisan monument|date=22 August 2009|accessdate=7 September 2014}} *{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik}}|newspaper=EZadar|url=http://www.ezadar.hr/clanak/rudusa-braca-zuzul-obnovila-partizanski-spomenik|title=Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik|trans-title=Ruduša: The Žužul brothers renovated a Partisan monument|date=22 August 2009|access-date=7 September 2014}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima}}|newspaper=]|url=http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/215868/Default.aspx|title=Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima|trans_title=Monument to the Split partisans vandalized once again|date=16 July 2013|accessdate=20 November 2014}} *{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima}}|newspaper=]|url=http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/215868/Default.aspx|title=Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima|trans-title=Monument to the Split partisans vandalized once again|date=16 July 2013|access-date=20 November 2014}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'}}|newspaper=Slobodna Dalmacija|url=http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/254897/Default.aspx|title=Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'|trans_title=Mejaši don't want a street of the 1st Split Partisan Detachment: 'That's rude, we have a completely different political orientation'|date=24 August 2014|accessdate=20 November 2014}} *{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'}}|newspaper=Slobodna Dalmacija|url=http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/254897/Default.aspx|title=Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'|trans-title=Mejaši don't want a street of the 1st Split Partisan Detachment: 'That's rude, we have a completely different political orientation'|date=24 August 2014|access-date=20 November 2014}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}}|newspaper=]|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/nakon-otkrivanja-spomenika-hosu-pod-stijegom-rafaela-bobana-baldasar-vraca-partizane-u-split/766572.aspx|title=Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split|trans_title=After revealing the HOS monument under the flag of Rafael Boban, Baldasar returns the Partisans to Split|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=20 November 2014}} *{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split}}|newspaper=]|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/nakon-otkrivanja-spomenika-hosu-pod-stijegom-rafaela-bobana-baldasar-vraca-partizane-u-split/766572.aspx|title=Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split|trans-title=After revealing the HOS monument under the flag of Rafael Boban, Baldasar returns the Partisans to Split|date=20 August 2014|access-date=20 November 2014}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Baldasar: Ne mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice}}|newspaper=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/povukao-prijedlog-baldasar-dozivio-katastrofu-s-ulicom-prvog-splitskog-partizanskog-odreda/767282.aspx|title=Baldasar: NE mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice|trans_title=Baldasar: I can't allow a fight about a street name|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=20 November 2014}} *{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Baldasar: Ne mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice}}|newspaper=Index.hr|url=http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/povukao-prijedlog-baldasar-dozivio-katastrofu-s-ulicom-prvog-splitskog-partizanskog-odreda/767282.aspx|title=Baldasar: NE mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice|trans-title=Baldasar: I can't allow a fight about a street name|date=25 August 2014|access-date=20 November 2014}}
*{{cite news|ref={{harvid|Zaboravljena strijeljana splitska dica}}|newspaper=Slobodna Dalmacija|url=http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23097/Default.aspx|title=Zaboravljena strijeljana splitska dica|trans-title=The forgotten executed children of Split|date=21 September 2008|access-date=21 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042053/http://www.slobodnadalmacija.hr/Split/tabid/72/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/23097/Default.aspx|archive-date=2014-11-29|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web |ref={{harvid|Prvi splitski odred}}|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187428/|title=Prvi splitski odred|trans-title=First Split Detachment|website= imdb.com|publisher=]|access-date=21 November 2014}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}

{{Yugoslav Partisans military units}}


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Latest revision as of 22:14, 10 November 2024

Former unit of the Yugoslav Partisans during World War II

1st Split Partisan Detachment
Memorial at the place of the Detachment formation
Active11–14 August 1941
AllegianceYugoslav Partisans
SizeThree platoons (planned)
EngagementsWorld War II in Yugoslavia
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Đordano Borovčić-Kurir
Military unit

The 1st Split Partisan Detachment (Serbo-Croatian: Prvi splitski partizanski odred) or the 1st Split Detachment (Serbo-Croatian: Prvi splitski odred) was a short-lived unit of the Yugoslav Partisans during World War II. It was composed of volunteers from the city of Split and was created in August 1941, just four months after the Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, and the annexation of Split and most of Dalmatia by the Kingdom of Italy. The unit, composed mostly of young men with little or no fighting experience, planned to relocate to the Dinara mountains to join other Partisan units in fighting the Axis powers.

After initial organizational problems, the weakened detachment reached an area near the village of Košute where they were engaged by Ustaše Militia backed by Italian reinforcements. After a day of fighting and the death of one of their commanders, members of the detachment began to retreat. In the end, the Partisans suffered four killed in action and 25 taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. All but three of the prisoners were later executed by firing squad. A Split Detachment was reformed, but most of its fighters were part of the 3rd Dalmatian Assault Brigade.

Background

An Italian ship in the Port of Split following the city's occupation.

The Axis powers began their invasion of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia on 6 April 1941. Just four days later, a puppet state known as the Independent State of Croatia (Serbo-Croatian: Nezavisna Država Hrvatska – NDH) was declared, encompassing most of modern-day Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and parts of modern-day Serbia. In accordance with the Treaties of Rome signed by the Ustaše leadership of the NDH, a large part of the Croatian coastline and islands, including the city of Split were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. The low morale of Yugoslav troops in Split and the uncontested advance of the Italian Army through Dalmatia resulted in a number of desertions. Paramilitary formations of the Croatian Peasant Party (Serbo-Croatian: Hrvatska Seljačka Stranka, HSS) disarmed soldiers. By 11 April, there were no organized military formations remaining in Split, and a large number of police and gendarmerie switched their allegiance to the NDH. With Split under the control of the new Ustaše government, the authorities apprehended 300 citizens they deemed to be political enemies. On 13 April, members of the League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (Serbo-Croatian: Savez komunističke omladine Jugoslavije, SKOJ) broke into a number of Ustaše weapons depots, stealing dozens of rifles and machine guns, as well as ammunition and hand grenades.

On the evening of 15 April, the first troops of the Italian Army entered Split, signifying the start of their occupation. On 21 April, civil control of Split passed from the NDH to Italian authorities, followed by the raising of the Italian flag over the city. On 18 May, Italy and the NDH signed the Treaties of Rome, confirming Italian rule of Dalmatia, including Split.

History

Formation

On 7 August 1941, Pavle Pap-Šilja and Mirko Kovačević-Lala arrived in Split with instructions from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Croatia (Serbo-Croatian: Centralni komitet komunističke partije Hrvatske) to discuss the forming of Partisan detachments to fight the Axis occupiers. In a meeting with the members of the Regional Committee, they agreed that the new detachments should operate in the Dinara mountains where their fighters could rely on support from the population of the Sinj and Livanjsko field regions as well as other Partisan formations planned for Bosanska Krajina and Lika. This plan meant that the detachments would have to be formed and then relocated to the Dinara mountains. Relocation meant crossing the rough terrain of Zagora, whose population did not support the Partisans. Despite these difficulties, it was decided that in the next two days the Regional Committee would form seven detachments, including one from Split.

According to the initial plan, on the night of 11 August, the Split Detachment was to move just outside the town and collect weapons that had been captured on 13 April. They would then link up with the Solin Detachment and continue towards Kamešnica. From there, they would travel to Otok to meet with the Sinj Detachment. On 8 August, a meeting of Communist Party members and sympathisers was held in a field house between Split and Stobreč to ask for volunteers to join the Split Detachment. The detachment was formed on 11 August, and consisted of 66 members organized in three platoons. The detachment departed Split on the same day, under the command of Đordano Borovčić-Kurir with commissar Alfred Santini, and accompanied by Kovačević-Lala who was in overall command of all Partisan detachments in Dalmatia.

Ambush and aftermath

The plan went awry when the 2nd Platoon got lost and missed a rendezvous with the 1st and 3rd Platoon, which were waiting for them near Mravince. The 2nd Platoon was therefore disbanded while the rest of the detachment continued via Mosor to Dicmo where they were to meet up with their guides. They arrived on the night of 12 August, and upon realizing their guides were not there, decided to continue alone towards Kamešnica, but got lost and ran out of supplies during the night. At dawn on 13 August the detachment camped near the village of Krušvar. In the evening they once again continued towards Kamešnica, and at dawn on 14 August, they camped near the village of Košute, near Trilj. Borovčić-Kurir tasked two fighters to go into the village and ask the locals for water and directions. After talking to some locals, the fighters were fired upon by a member of the Ustaše Militia of the village. They returned fire then continued back to their camp and notified the others about the incident.

Just as they finished their report, the detachment was fired on by Ustaše Militia. The Ustaše called for help from Sinj, and by 18:00, Italian reinforcements had arrived and began encircling the detachment, engaging them with mortars and light artillery. Outnumbered and facing an enemy with greater firepower, the Partisans planned to hold their positions until evening then retreat using the cover of darkness. About 20:00, Kovačević-Lala, one of the most experienced members of the detachment, was killed after being hit by a mortar round, which had a significant effect on the morale of the remaining fighters. Borovčić-Kurir issued the order to retreat, but it turned into chaos as individuals fled the area.

Four Partisans died in the fighting, and three more were summarily shot after capture. Twenty-five were captured and taken prisoner, while 13 managed to escape. The 25 that were captured were moved to Sinj, where one of the prisoners was beaten to death. The rest were placed on trial before a special court that was sent from Mostar. Three prisoners were acquitted while the remaining 21 were taken to Ruduša near Sinj, and executed by firing squad. According to the Yugoslav historian Mate Šalov, a Split Detachment was still active at the time of the Italian Armistice in September 1943, but only consisted of the detachment staff and a few fighters, with the Dinara Battalion forming part of the 3rd Dalmatian Assault Brigade.

Commemoration

After the war, a public school was named after Borovčić-Kurir. In 1962, the 1st Split Partisan Detachment was commemorated with a 15 metres (49 feet 3 inches) tall monument designed by Vuko Bombardelli, which was erected in Ruduša where the captured members of the detachment were executed. The monument was destroyed by an explosion in August 1992, during the Croatian War of Independence. It was renovated in 2009 with financial aid from the owners of the RNK Split football club, as several members of the detachment had played for the club before the war. In 1981, a monument dedicated to the detachment was placed in Vinkovačka street in Split. In July 2013, this monument was vandalized by unknown perpetrators who spray painted symbols of the Ustaše, swastikas, and the initials of the Croatian Civic Party (Hrvatska građanska stranka; HGS) and the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (Hrvatska čista stranka prava; HČSP). This was the second time the monument had been damaged. A movie about the detachment, entitled Prvi splitski odred and directed by Vojdrag Berčić, was released in 1972.

In August 2014, the Mayor of Split Ivo Baldasar announced he would propose that the Split city council name a street in the Mejaši neighbourhood after the detachment. The initiative was met with opposition from the Mejaši district leaders, who stated that people living in Mejaši had a "different political orientation" and that such action would devalue the Croatian War of Independence and all of its values. The initiative was also met with opposition from the Croatian Democratic Union (Hrvatska demokratska zajednica; HDZ) members of the council who accused Baldasar of "forging history", because "the detachment was never Partisan, and its members didn't die under Partisan insignia." A HDZ council member explained that even during the existence of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the street that was named after the detachment did not have the word Partisan in it. Members of the Organization of Anti-fascists and Anti-fascist Fighters of Split were also dissatisfied because the proposal was intended for a minor street at the edge of the city. Faced with this opposition, Baldasar withdrew his proposal during a council meeting on 25 August, explaining that he could not "allow arguments surrounding street names".

Notes

Citations
  1. Leontić 1960, p. 42.
  2. Leontić 1960, p. 43.
  3. Leontić 1960, p. 51.
  4. Gizdić 1957, p. 242.
  5. Gizdić 1957, pp. 247–250.
  6. ^ Kovač & Vojnović 1976, pp. 367–372.
  7. ^ Kvesić 1960, pp. 135–145.
  8. Šalov 1980, p. 17.
  9. Zaboravljena strijeljana splitska dica.
  10. Ruduša: Braća Žužul obnovila partizanski spomenik.
  11. Opet oštećen spomenik splitskim partizanima.
  12. Prvi splitski odred.
  13. ^ Nakon otkrivanja spomenika HOS-u pod stijegom Rafaela Bobana, Baldasar vraća partizane u Split.
  14. Mejaši neće ulicu Prvog splitskog partizanskog odreda: 'To je drsko, mi smo potpuno drugačijeg svjetonazora!'.
  15. Baldasar: Ne mogu dozvoliti svađu oko imena ulice.

References

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