ZAŠTO JE REORGANIZOVANA JUGOSLOVENSKA ARMIJA 1948? RATNI PLAN „MAKSIMUM“
WHY WAS THE YUGOSLAV ARMY REORGANIZED IN 1948? WAR PLAN "MAXIMUM"

Summary/Abstract: In the beginning of 1948, commands, units and facilities of the Yugoslav army were reorganized in accordance with a new principle. It was not known until now how and why this reorganization had taken place. During the course of 1947 Yugoslavia found itself in a rather peculiar position. Its alliance with the Soviet Union and political, military and economic presence in Albania, brought it into open conflict with the West, fueled by both the unresolved issue of Trieste and its open involvement in the Greek civil war. As the conflict threatened to escalate in an open military confrontation, the situation called to a creation of a military plan that was approved and named “Maximum”. It was a plan of defensive nature, leaving for offensive possibilities if the situation allows. The idea was to defend the northern and southern fronts, as well as the coastline. It assumed the cooperation of Albania in Yugoslav defense preparations and joint action with Bulgarian army. The military was reorganized in the accordance with this plan, on the basis of preparedness for a swift shift between peacetime and wartime organization. The implementation of such a plan and widening of the wartime formation required skilled commanders and up-to-date armament and equipment. To that end, professional and technical assistance was asked from the Soviet Union. Soviets declined, as they were criticizing the basic assumptions of the Yugoslav war plan and opposing the intensification of Yugoslav military engagement in Albania. The plan remained in force until the Yugoslav conflict with the USSR and its satellites, when it was drastically modified.

• Details
• Contents