Raid on Drvar (World War II) war movies

Raid on Drvar 25 May 1944

Raid on Drvar was a part of Operation Rosselsprung, a German combined operation of paratroop landing and grounds units offensive in occupied Yugoslavia. The aim of the operation was to destroy the headquarters of Yugoslavian partisans leader Josip Broz Tito and killing or capturing him. In 1944 Germans could not afford to keep their forces engaged in Yugoslavia, where they had to fight with the insurgents. Operation Rosselsprung was suppose to solve this problem, which would make the extra divisions available to be transferred to Eastern Front.

The plan was similar to Operation Market-Garden: paratroopers units were dropped in the area of Drvar, where the Tito’s headquarters were located, at that time the land forces were suppose to crush the defences and attack Drvar from 3 different directions. The attack of paratroopers was success and they managed to reach the cave that the headquarters were located, but during their assault Tito managed to escape.

Second wave of paratroopers landed with heavy losses and the operation slowed down since the Tito’s guard division managed to put a strong opposition. On the arrival of German ground forces the guards had to retreat following Tito’s headquarters. Tito himself was evacuated by Allies to Island Vis on Adriatic Sea. German losses were 800 killed and 1000 wounded, the losses of partisans are unknown - could range from 400 to 4000.

Raid on Drvar 1963

Hitler plans to finally defeat Yugoslavian partisans - by the paratroopers attack on their headquarters. Based on real events.