THE ATTEMPT OF EXPANDING THE ČETNIK ORGANIZATION OF KOSTA PEĆANAC IN STARA RAŠKA (1941–1942)

Abstract

After the creation of first četnik forces in the area of Stara Raška most of the forces were placed under the command of „vojvoda“ Kosta Pećanac.He wanted to use that occasion by opening a collaboration with Italians and also by an attempt to create a supreme Četnikcommand for whole area of Stara Raška. His main assistant on this job was captain Ratko Đurović who as well negotiated with the Italian military authorities in Montenegro. Although he had initial success (forming a strong četnik detachment in Pljevlja, obtaining a larger quantity of weapons from Italians) the ambitious military-political project conceived by Kosta Pećanac and his men, ultimately  failed. Contributed to that goal by both četniks under command of Dragoljub Mihajlovic and communists, and even more by Italians,who limited Pećanac’s influence on all legalized četniks in Stara Raška. Therefore, in this area he lost his influence throughout the year of 1942, which finally disappeared by the fall of the same year.