MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE BRITISH FLOYDFORCE AMONG YUGOSLAV PARTISANS

Abstract

Floydforce was a British artillery force that landed in Yugoslavia in October 1944 together with its protection units. Its task was to provide artillery support to the Yugoslav Partisan army in combat against the German units retreating from Albania, Greece, and Yugoslavia. Together with the Partisans and the Balkan Air Force (BAF), Floydforce participated in attacks on the retreating German units, including operations Risan and Podgorica. The leadership of the Partisan movement kept a close eye on the activities of the British units in Yugoslavia because Tito was concerned that the Greek scenario would also play out in Yugoslavia and because, first and foremost, he wanted Yugoslavia to be liberated by the Yugoslav Partisans without the help of the Anglo-American Allies. Floydforce assisted the Partisans for the last time in the Mostar and Zadar areas, after which the Partisans began to reject British assistance. At the end of January 1945, Floydforce had to withdraw from Yugoslavia.