Bosnia year 2017 stamps – WW2 Kozara Battle full set MNH

Bosnia year 2017 stamps – WW2 Kozara Battle full set MNH(**)

The Battle of Kozara was a significant military engagement that took place during World War II in the Kozara mountain region of northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, between June 10 and July 13, 1942. Here’s an overview of the Battle of Kozara:

Background: The Battle of Kozara was part of the wider Axis occupation of Yugoslavia during World War II. After the Axis invasion and subsequent occupation of Yugoslavia in April 1941, various resistance movements emerged, including the Yugoslav Partisans led by Josip Broz Tito.

Axis Offensive: In June 1942, the Axis forces, primarily composed of German and Croatian units, launched a major offensive against the Yugoslav Partisans in the Kozara region. The offensive aimed to eliminate the Partisan presence in the area and crush the resistance movement.

Partisan Defense: The Yugoslav Partisans, under the command of Tito, put up fierce resistance against the Axis forces. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Partisans utilized guerrilla tactics and knowledge of the terrain to mount a determined defense of the Kozara mountain region.

Suffering and Losses: The Battle of Kozara was characterized by intense fighting, brutal reprisals, and widespread civilian suffering. The Axis forces conducted punitive operations against local populations suspected of supporting the Partisans, resulting in mass arrests, executions, and forced displacement of civilians.

Outcome: Despite their heroic resistance, the Yugoslav Partisans were unable to withstand the overwhelming firepower and manpower of the Axis forces. By mid-July 1942, the Partisan defenses in the Kozara region began to collapse, and Tito ordered a strategic withdrawal to preserve his forces.

Aftermath: The Battle of Kozara resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with estimates of thousands killed, wounded, or captured. The Axis forces declared victory and consolidated control over the Kozara region, but the Yugoslav Partisans continued their resistance efforts elsewhere in Yugoslavia.

The Battle of Kozara remains a symbol of Yugoslav Partisan resistance and sacrifice during World War II. It is commemorated annually in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a national holiday, honoring the memory of those who fought and died in defense of freedom and independence.