First Army (Yugoslavia)

The Yugoslavian First Army was a field army of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia during World War II.

Germany invaded Yugoslavia on 6 April 1941. The German invasion followed a coup d'état that overthrew the country's pro-German government of Regent Prince Paul and replaced him with the more independent King Peter II. Germany's allies Italy, Hungary, and Bulgaria soon joined or provided support for the invasion.

Yugoslavia quickly mobilized its forces and was able to field some 340,000 men in six armies. The Yugoslavian Royal Army was comprised of six field armies: The Yugoslavian First Army, the Yugoslavian Third Army, the Yugoslavian Fourth Army, the Yugoslavian Fifth Army, the Yugoslavian Sixth Army, and the Yugoslavian Seventh Army.

The Yugoslavian First Army guarded the eastern border during the invasion of Yugoslavia. The area it defended was roughly centered on the city of Subotica. The Yugoslavian First Army faced the Hungarian Third Army. By the time the Hungarians crossed the border on or about 14 April, the Germans had been attacking Yugoslavia for over a week and Belgrade had already fallen. Because of the Hungarian delay, the First Army did not see as much action as the other Yugostavian armies.

On 17 April, eleven days after the German invasion began, the Royal Yugoslav Army surrendered unconditionally.

References

* Ready, J. Lee. "World War Two Nation by Nation". London: Arms and Armour Press, 1995.