Operation Weiss and the Battle of the Neretva
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Operation Weiss was an Axis offensive from January to March 1943 intended to encircle and destroy the Yugoslav Partisans' command and forces. While evacuating the Central Hospital, the Partisans broke through the encirclement and crossed to the east bank of the Neretva, preserving their headquarters and wounded.
In depth
The German codename was Unternehmen Weiß, while Yugoslav usage also called it the Fourth Enemy Offensive. The operation attacked Partisan-held territory in western Bosnia and adjoining areas, then pressed the main force and Central Hospital toward the Neretva valley. The Partisan Supreme Command had to move with about 4,000 sick and wounded. Tito first counterattacked toward Gornji Vakuf, confusing Axis expectations, then destroyed the river bridges and secured a bridgehead at Jablanica with an improvised bridge after the crossing was opened. The main force and the wounded crossed while abandoning heavy equipment, and the battle demonstrated that the Axis had failed to eliminate the Partisans' political and military centre.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN) supports the 1943 Axis offensive, its encirclement aims, the Partisan movement toward the Neretva, and the breakthrough in mid-March 1943.
- warhistoryonline.com supports the central hospital's evacuation with approximately 4,000 sick and wounded, the diversionary counterattack, and the improvised bridge crossing at Jablanica.