Capture of Banja Koviljača

The Capture of Banja Koviljača (1 – 6 September 1941) was a battle fought between allied forces of Chetniks and Partisans on one side and German forces garrisoned in occupied Banja Koviljača (now Western Serbia) and Ustashe relief forces from Bosnia (then in NDH) on the Axis side. The battle took place during the Uprising in Serbia, soon after Chetniks captured Loznica on 31 August 1941. The attack on the German outpost in Banja Koviljača was the first major battle between Serb rebels and German forces by the end of Invasion of Yugoslavia. The action of Chetniks against occupying German forces garrisoned in Loznica and Banja Koviljača was organized in period of Partisan-Chetnik collaboration. The Battle of Banja Koviljača was the first battle where Chetniks and Partisans were allied against Axis forces. According to Partisan officer Batanović, the involvement of the Partisans was critical for the capture of Banja Koviljača.

Background
During August 1941, insurgent activity in the Territory of the Military Commander in Serbia had continued to increase, with a total of 242 attacks on German Army and gendarmerie posts, railroads, telephone wires, mines and industrial facilities during that month, resulting in the deaths of 22 German soldiers and 17 wounded. The mobilization of Chetnik units had been ordered by Draža Mihailović in August 1941.

Prior to the attack on Banja Koviljača Cehtniks had captured Loznica on 31 August and Zajača on 1 September. A small village Zavlaka was also captured by the Chetniks a day before they attacked Banja Koviljača. The Cer Detachment which conducted demonstrative attacks to Šabac in order to counteract the movement of Germans in their surveillance battalion in Banja Koviljača.

Two Chetnik detachments participated in the Battle of Banja Koviljača according to a predetermined plan. Those two detachments were Jadar Detachment and Cer Detachment which was quickly transported from Prnjavor via Loznica and Trbušnica to Gučevo mountain above Banja Koviljača when their commander Račić was informed about the intention of Jadar Detachment to attack Banja Koviljača. At that time Jadar Detachment had around 3,000 men. They were supported by two companies of Partisans that belonged to the Pocerski Battalion, Podrinski Partisan Division. The 4th company was under command of Aleksandar Lala Stanković and shock company was under command of Mika Mitrović. The commander of the operation is set to Lt. Gen. Nikola Radovanović.

German forces garrisoned in Banja Koviljača were accommodated in Kursalon and hotels Podrinje, Herzegovina and Dalmatia. Between 30 and 40 German soldiers were positioned in sanatorium on the hill above Banja Koviljača. They all belonged to the 718th Infantry Division (118th Jäger Division), whose headquarters was in Banja Luka and command post in Zvornik. Both towns belonged to the Independent State of Croatia so it was understandable that command of this division first approached for support to its Minister of the Armed Forces Slavko Kvaternik. Kvaternik ordered to Mate Rupčić (commander of NDH Military Frontier toward Serbia) to support German garrisons in Loznica and Banja Koviljača with units of Croatian Home Guard from Zvornik and Tuzla (3rd and 4th regiment from Zvornik and Tuzla commanded by colonel Grum)  During the battle of Banja Koviljača, the Germans used aviation against rebels in Serbia for the first time during the war.

The Battle
The attack on Banja Koviljača began on 1 September when Chetniks from Jadar Detachment attacked 3rd German Battalion. When the Chetniks' attack began German soldiers from sanatorium retreated to the city and built an improvised bunker and dig trenches. The rest of German forces made a strong defensive fortifications with barbed wire and machine gun nests. The first onslaught of the Germans were carried out by forces under the command of Captain Bogdan Drljača and reserve Lieutenant George Bojić. However, the Germans offered fierce resistance and successfully repelled all Chetnik attacks. Their goal was to hold out until reinforcements arrived from the nearest garrison in Croatia and Valjevo where the Germans held considerable power. On 2 September 3 Battalion of 738 Regiment that held position near Koviljača had to retreat toward east. On the same day German reconnaissance aircraft was damaged above Loznica. In the night of 2 September allied forces of 5-6,000 Partisans of Valjevo detachment and around 1,000 Chetniks under command of Lt. Martinović and priest Vlado Zečević attacked neighboring town Krupanj. German reinforcements from Valjevo tried to reach garrisons in Krupanj and Koviljača with support of air forces but could not break through rebel lines.

The Germans in Banja Koviljača received artillery support from the Bosnian side (NDH) on 3 September. In addition the positions of Chetniks were attacked by German air force. Two Junkers Ju 87 dropped 24 bombs on the Chetniks positions. After this barrage Croatian Home Guard forces strength of one battalion crossed Drina River near Zvornik and attacked the left wing of the Chetnik held slopes of Gučevo west of Banja Koviljača. On the other hand, the Chetniks under the command of Lieutenant Lazar Savić were suppressed by the Germans and Croats who crossed Drina at Kozluk. Lieutenant George Bojić returned on the same day with reinforcements to halt the progress of German and NDH forces. The Cer Detachment under the command of also Dragoslav Račić arrived with reinforcements, after which the Chetniks went against the attack. Great battles were fought on the night of 4–5 September. According to Vladimir Dedijer, on 5 September Chetniks requested help from Partisan forces (Mačva detachment and Valjevo detachment) who accepted their request and began marching toward Banja Koviljača. When Partisan units reached Tršić they received the information that Banja Koviljača had been taken from Germans and Ustaše by two Chetnik and one Partisan detachment.

The Germans then resorted to stratagem, they set up park wire in front of their position through which they released high voltage. Sergeant Obren Popović, not knowing about it decided to make his way to the hotel Hercegovina from where the Germans showered Chetnik positions with heavy fire. The Chetniks were aware that if the strongest German fortifications fall, then the entire spa area will fall. Popović led the Chetnik onslaught with a bomb in his hand. They ran on the high-voltage wire which killed the whole squad.

Fighting continued during the night of 5-6, The Chetniks have taken decisive onslaught, they have managed to make their way to the Hotel Hercegovina jumping over live wires and throwing grenades through the windows. There was panic among the Germans who quickly retreated with their Croatian allies to Zvornik during the night of 6 September.

According to historian Professor Paul N. Hehn, the German garrison was evacuated by air from Banja Koviljača.

Aftermath
The Chetniks celebrated the birthday of King Peter II of Yugoslavia after their victory in Banja Koviljača. The prisoners camp for imprisoned German soldiers was opened in village Planinica. The Chetniks established their command posts in Loznica and Banja Koviljača and proclaimed general mobilization. Partisans did the same in Loznica. The victory at Loznica, Banja Koviljača, Zavlaka, and Krupanj released most of the western Serbia from Axis occupation. The remaining German forces were blocked in Šabac and Valjevo, encircled by the rebel forces. By connecting the territories of Loznica, Koviljača and Krupanj the rebels created a "free territory" in occupied Serbia. Chetnik Cer detachment commanded by Račić attacked Germans in Šabac and penetrated into its territory but could not capture the town. Chetniks connected with their forces in Šumadija to prepare the attack on Valjevo. Consolidated Chetnik forces advanced to the valley of the Western Morava and captured Čačak, Kraljevo and Kruševac.

Battle of Koviljača proved that uprising in Serbia was skillfully led.