VICTIMS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN THE LESKOVAC COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE DATA OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR DETERMINING THE CRIMES OF THE OCCUPIERS AND THEIR ABETTORS

Abstract

The topic of this paper is the analysis of human victims during the Second World War in the Leskovac County. The data of the State Commission for Determining the Crimes of the Occupiers and Their Abettors were used. The introductory part of the paper defines the geographical area that is the subject of analysis. Then, basic data on the origin and work of the State Commission, as well as its results, are given. The main part of the paper is the statistical analysis of victims according to the methods of killing and geographical distribution through districts. In addition to the victims, the paper also analyzes “body injuries”, ie injuries, torture, rape and similar injuries that did not result in death, as well as “violations of personal freedom” (arrests, internment, forced labor, camps, etc.). The analyzed data show that the vast majority of crimes in this area were committed by the occupying units, mostly members of the Bulgarian and German formations. The paper was written on the basis of original and published material, primarily from the Archives of Yugoslavia, as well as appropriate periodicals and literature.