ARMED CONFLICTS ALONG THE GERMAN-BULGARIAN DEMARCATION LINE IN 1941: KOSTA PEĆANAC’S CHETNIKS AND BULGARIAN BORDER UNITS

Abstract

The paper analyzes the armed conflicts along the German-Bulgarian demarcation line in southeastern Serbia during 1941, with particular emphasis on the activities of the Chetnik detachments of vojvoda Kosta Pećanac and Bulgarian border units in the areas of Vlasotince, Lužnica, and Pirot. Based on archival sources, published documents, and relevant historiographical literature, the paper reconstructs the establishment of the demarcation line, its significance within the occupation system, and the relations between Pećanac’s Chetniks, Bulgarian border troops, German occupation authorities, and the institutions of General Milan Nedić’s Government. Special attention is devoted to clashes between Chetnik and Partisan units, as well as to armed incidents between the Chetniks and Bulgarian border troops along the demarcation line. The analysis contributes to a better understanding of the role of Pećanac’s Chetnik detachments and Bulgarian border units in maintaining and disrupting security along the German-Bulgarian demarcation line, as well as to a more comprehensive understanding of their relations with the Partisan movement and occupation authorities.