Title:	Partizanska Eskadrila NOVJ
Title in English:	Partisan Air Force - Yugoslav National People's Liberation Army
Abbreviation:	-

Narrative Summary:
The Yugoslav Partisan Air Force was never a single united organisation, but instead was made of three separate elements, equipped and trained in three different ways. The first element was made up of defectors from the Croatian Air Force, who flew enemy aircraft captured by the Partisans. The second element took the form of two Yugoslav manned fighter squadrons trained and equipped by the Royal Air Force for operations over the Balkans. The third element comprised a formation of fighter and assault aircraft trained and equipped by the Soviet AIr Force. At the end of the war all three elements were operating from secure bases within Yugoslavia, and these units formed the basis for the post-war Yugoslav Air Force.
Yugoslavia was invaded by Axis forces on 6 April 1941 and was forced to surrender on 17 April. Yugoslav territory was partitioned, with a new Croat State being established under Italian control, and the remainder occupied by Germany and Italy. However, much of Yugoslavia was ideal for guerrilla warfare, and within a few months rival Chetnik (Royalist) and Partisan (Communist) units were launching attacks on the occupying forces.
In late 1941, two attempts were made by Croatian Air Force personnel to defect to the guerrilla forces, but unfortunately both ended with fatal crashes. However, on 23 May 1942 aircrew flying a Breguet 19 and a Potez 25 successfully deserted from the Croatian Air Force and flew to the recently liberated town of Prijedor. These two aircraft were soon lost to enemy action, but the effect on local morale of the five air attacks they carried out was enormous.
Yugoslav guerrilla forces continued their attacks, but were unable to obtain any additional aircraft for more than a year. The surrender of Italy in September 1943 brought new opportunities, as partisan forces were able to capture the Italian airfield at Gorica in Slovenia, which held several aircraft. These aircraft were immediately pressed into service for reconnaissance and liaison duties. More defectors from the Croatian Air Force arrived in the following two months. Shortly afterwards the Allies formally agreed to support the Partisan army (called the NOVJ - Yugoslav National Liberation Army) instead of the Chetniks, (the Allies stopped their help to the Jugoslovenska vojska u otadzbini (JVuO)- the official name for the Chetniks - on 30th May 1944). Allied material support now allowed the operation of regular partisan air units to support ground forces. Defections of Croatian personnel continued to increase and by mid 1944 the Croatian Air Force no longer possessed any effective strength.
In October 1943 the Allied Supreme Headquarters appealed through the 'Free Yugoslavia' Radio Station for volunteers to join the Partisan Air Force. Basic flying training commenced at Bari in southern Italy in January 1944. Many of the volunteers were already experienced pilots and so in early March 1944 all personnel were transferred to North Africa. On 22 April 1944 at Benina airfield in Libya, the First Yugoslav Fighter Squadron was established (administered by the RAF as 352 Sqn). On 1 July 1944 the Second Yugoslav Fighter Squadron (351 Sqn RAF) was formed. Both units were assigned to the RAF Balkan Air Force for operations over Yugoslavia. 352 Squadron made its first operational sortie from Canne airfield in Italy on 18 August 1944. In the meantime, 351 Squadron under went special training in the use of rocket projectiles from its's Hurricanes and made it's first combat sortie on 13 October 1944.
In August 1944 the Adriatic Island of Vis was liberated by Partisan forces, and a new liaison squadron was formed there with captured aircraft. On 21 September 1944 a further new squadron was formed with captured aircraft at Zaluzani airfield near Banja Luka to support the 5th Corps of the NOVJ. The unit carried out 90 combat sorties against enemy ground forces, moving base several times, while being supplied with fuel and ammunition from partisan-held territory. This unit demonstrated that partisan aviation could work very successfully.
In October 1944, 351 & 352 Squadrons began to use Vis as an advanced base, allowing them to range deeper into Yugoslavia. In the middle of 1944 the Soviet Army arrived on the eastern borders of Yugoslavia. The 10th Assault Division and 236th Fighter Division of the Soviet Air Force were assigned to help with the liberation of Yugoslavia. In addition, the Soviets agreed to train and equip two new Yugoslav-manned units. In late November 1944 to Soviet Air Force began ground crew training for Yugoslav volunteers and on 10 December 1944 pilot training for volunteers commenced. In the middle of December three Assault and three Fighter Regiments were formed, making up 42 Assault Division and 11 Fighter Division respectively. Collectively, these two Divisions were called the Group of Air Divisions, which controlled 258 aircraft at it's formation.
The regiments deployed to existing airfields within liberated Yugoslavia, while 9 more airfields were constructed closer to the fighting in the northern and western parts of the country. In 17 January 1945 Yugoslav pilots commenced combat operations alongside Soviet aircrews, helping to stop a German-Croatian counter-offensive. By April they had gained sufficient experience to be able to operate on their own.
On 12 April 1945 the Group of Air Divisions made a significant contribution to the final offensive to liberate Zagreb. Even after Germany had surrendered, combat operations continued against Chetniks and Croatian Fascists who refused to surrender. The war finally ended on 25 May 1945 (some sources say 'shortly after ... 28 May').
In January 1945 the Air Force of the NOVJ was renamed the Air Force of the Yugoslav Army (Vazduhoplovstvo Jugoslovenske Armije), and later the RV i PVO - Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazdusna Odbrana (Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence). On 15 June 1945, 351 & 352 Squadrons were formally handed over to the reformed Yugoslav Air Force by the RAF.

Key Dates:
23 May 1942		First two aircraft acquired
4 June 1942		First combat sorties flown
early Sept 1943		Partisans capture former Italian airfield and it's resident aircraft
22 April 1944		352 Sqn formed by RAF with Yugoslav personnel
16 October 1944		Agreement signed with Soviet Union on providing air support to the NOVJ
December 1944		Soviet instructors begin training of Yugoslav aircrews near Belgrade
5 January 1945		New Yugoslav Air Force (JRV) officially established
28 May 1945		War ends in Yugoslavia

National Insignia:
Historical - to be added

Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):
The serial numbering system varied according to the source of the aircraft. Aircraft supplied by the RAF retained their British military serials until formally handed over to the JRV in June 1945. Russian supplied aircraft followed the Soviet AF coding system. Aircraft defected or captured from the Croatian AF and its allies usually had their original serials painted over and a local 2-digit code applied.

Unit/Base Aircraft Code System(s):
Not used.

Aircraft Designation System(s):
Not used.

All-Time Aircraft Used List:
Alphabetical Order --- Chronological Order

Aircraft NOT Used:
See Aircraft Used for some incorrect type identifications.

Main Headquarters:
Narodnooslobodilacke Vojske Jugoslavije (Headquarters of the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army)

Organisational Structure:
To be added.

Historical Orders of Battle:
September 1943  November 1943  September 1944  December 1944  April 1945  

All-Time Flying Units List:
Escadrila za Vezu
351 Sqn (2nd Yugoslav Fighter Squadron)
352 Sqn (1st Yugoslav Fighter Squadron)
Independent Headquarters Escadrille
Squadron of the 5th Corps NOVJ
42 Assault Division
11 Fighter Division

All-Time Air Bases Used List:
Military Air Bases Listing

Books:

Serbian Aviation Bibliography - to be added

Magazines:

To be added

Websites:

Partizanska Eskadrila - History
(Good narrative history of the Partisan AF with aircraft colour profiles)