Draža Mihailović summons Yugoslav Army

Draža Mihailović, a Colonel in the Yugoslav Army, played a pivotal role in the resistance against Axis occupation during World War II. He called for the formation of the 'Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland,' which primarily consisted of Serbs but also included members from other ethnic groups such as Slovenes, Bosnians, and Croats. Mihailović's journey from Bosnia to Ravna Gora in central Serbia marked a significant mobilization effort, as he issued a call to arms promising a struggle against the occupiers and advocating for the restoration of the Yugoslavian monarchy. This movement was part of a broader context of resistance in Yugoslavia, where various factions were emerging to oppose foreign domination. At the same time, the political landscape was complex, with Josip Broz Tito leading the Yugoslav Partisans, who were aligned with the Soviet Union. This alignment was notable as the Soviet Union maintained a temporary non-aggression pact with Germany, complicating the dynamics of resistance. The presence of the German 'Flyer Command Iraq' in Mosul further illustrated the geopolitical tensions of the period, as they supported the Iraqi government of Rashid Ali. The actions of Mihailović and the subsequent formation of the resistance groups were crucial in shaping the course of Yugoslav history during the war, as they laid the groundwork for future conflicts and the eventual establishment of post-war governance.