Anglo-American Allies and the Serbs in the Closing Stages of WWII: A Varied Perspective

• In Event: History and Politics in the Balkans: From Yugoslavia’s Regime-Change to the Early Cold War

Abstract

The final phase of WWII marked a significant turning point in the history of the Serbian people and their relationship with the Anglo-American allies. As Yugoslavia entered the war aligned with the Western powers, the shift in British policy toward supporting Tito’s Communist forces over the Serbian monarchy during the last stages of the war dramatically reshaped the political landscape. This paper will analyze how this strategic change in British and American foreign policy, particularly through the actions of Colonel William Bailey and his mission in southern Serbia, reflects broader themes of shifting alliances and power in the postwar period. Using a combination of firsthand testimonies and archival materials, this paper examines the strategic reorientations that influenced the trajectory of Yugoslavia’s future political direction.

Authors

• Ratomir Milikic, Inst for Contemporary History (Serbia)

• Predrag J. Markovic, Inst for Contemporary History (Serbia)