Operation Ratweek (1944) facts for kids

Operation Ratweek was a special plan during World War II. It involved many attacks on the Axis forces' supply lines in the Balkans. These attacks started on September 1, 1944.

The plan brought together different groups. These included the Yugoslav Partisans, Land Forces Adriatic, and powerful planes from the U.S. 15th Air Force. Lighter planes from the Balkan Air Force also joined in. Their goal was to stop German movement and supplies.

The attacks made it very hard for German forces to move. Fitzroy Maclean, a British officer, said it was his idea.

In September, 1944, there was a famous operation, planned by Brigadier Maclean, then commanding Allied liaison in Jugoslavia, in conjunction with Balkan Air Forces under Air Vice Marshal Elliott, and carried out by the Jugoslav Army, that aimed at disrupting all enemy lines of communication to coincide with certain operations in Italy. It was called "Ratweek"; and for the target duration of one week it was possible by action in all areas to paralyse all movement of enemy men and supplies on practically every length of line in Jugoslavia, whether in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, or elsewhere.

—Basil Davidson

Why Operation Ratweek Started

In the summer of 1944, Allied leaders realized something important. German forces in the Balkans were getting weaker. They thought the Germans might pull back their troops. The Germans could move to a safer defense line in the north. This would mean leaving the Balkans completely.

At that time, two large German Army Groups were in the area. They had 18 divisions and about 50 extra battalions. These troops were spread across Greece, Albania, and Yugoslavia. If these German troops escaped, they could make the war last longer. They would join other German forces in central and western Europe.

So, the Allies needed to stop or slow down this German retreat. Air attacks and Partisan actions were already bothering the Germans. But a more organized plan was needed.

How the Plan Was Made

Brigadier Fitzroy Maclean was a British officer. He worked with the Yugoslav Partisans HQ in Vis. He came up with the idea for Operation Ratweek.

"The scheme was called 'Operation RATWEEK'. My proposal was that, for the space of one week, timed to coincide as closely as possible with the estimated beginning of the German withdrawal, the Partisans on land and the Allies on the sea and in the air, should make a series of carefully planned, carefully co-ordinated attacks on enemy lines of communication throughout Jugoslavia. This would throw the retiring forces into confusion and gravely hamper further withdrawal."

Maclean got approval from the Balkan Air Force (BAF) commander, William Elliot. He also got support from the Navy and the main Allied commander, General Maitland Wilson. Then, Maclean spoke with Tito, the Partisan leader. Tito agreed to help.

Working Together

Yugoslavia was divided into different areas. Each area had a Partisan Commander and a British Liaison Officer. They worked together to find targets. These targets included bridges, tunnels, and railway junctions.

The Partisans would destroy targets they could handle. The BAF or heavy bombers from the USAAF would attack bigger targets. Extra explosives and supplies were sent to the Partisans. Air support was also planned.

The Royal Navy also played a part. Their destroyers and MTBs attacked German ships. The Germans were using the Adriatic Sea to escape the southern Balkans.

Key Events of Operation Ratweek

The main German retreat from Greece was expected to use the Vardar Valley. They would also use the Belgrade-Salonika railway. This railway was a very important target.

In August 1944, Maclean flew to Bojnik in Serbia. He met with the local Partisan commander, Koča Popović. They planned to destroy the railway near Leskovac. The three officers agreed on the plan. They sent it to the Allied headquarters in Caserta. Maclean stayed to work out the details with the local Partisan division.

The Leskovac Attack

The plan was for the Partisans to attack the railway. They would hit two spots, one north and one south of Leskovac. The town of Leskovac itself had many German soldiers. So, the Allied air force would bomb the town.

On September 6, 1944, the attack day, an urgent message arrived. Airplanes had seen many German tanks and vehicles in Leskovac. Soon after, fifty Flying Fortresses bombed the town. The bombing caused a lot of damage.

The attack on the railway happened that same night. Partisans blew up small bridges and culverts. They also tore up railway tracks and set them on fire. This was a big success for the operation.

"It would be some time before that particular stretch of the Belgrade-Salonika railway was again open to traffic. The enemy forces in Greece, if they were to get out at all, would have to get out by road or by sea, a hazardous proceeding in either event. If everywhere else the Partisans had done their job as thoroughly as here, RATWEEK would have got off to a good start."

Attacks Across Yugoslavia

Operation Ratweek continued in other parts of the country. In Slovenia, the important Litija bridge was destroyed. This bridge was on the Ljubljana-Zagreb railway. USAAF Mustang planes helped. An American officer, Jimmy Goodwin, joined the Partisans in attacking a castle near the bridge.

Further south, other railway lines were targeted. These included links between the Sava River and the Adriatic Sea. Bridges over the Danube River near Belgrade were also attacked.

Maclean noticed German Junkers 52 planes flying north. He thought these might be senior officers trying to escape. He quickly told the BAF. Their fighter planes then stopped these flights.

After the initial damage, the Allies kept bothering German repair teams. Partisan observers would report where the Germans were trying to fix things. The BAF in Bari would then send fighters to attack the repair crews.

Results of the Attacks

Overall, Operation Ratweek caused huge damage. Over 100 locomotives (train engines) were destroyed. Many main railway lines were also ruined. This forced the German enemy onto the roads. But they had little fuel and few trucks. This made them easy targets for more attacks.

It is thought that over 300 trucks were destroyed by air attacks. Many more were destroyed by Partisan raids. At the same time, the German air force in Yugoslavia was badly hurt. They lost 94 aircraft. The Long Range Desert Group, the Special Boat Service, and the Royal Navy also attacked targets along the Adriatic coast.

End of Operation Ratweek

On September 9, Bulgaria gave up fighting and joined the Allies. Maclean wanted to stay in Serbia to keep stopping the German retreat. But in the second half of September, he got a message. General Wilson told him that Tito had disappeared from Vis. Maclean needed to find him. His flight back from Bojnik to Bari marked the end of Operation Ratweek.