Serbian Gestapo

Serbian Gestapo

On 1 April 1942 German Gestapo started formation of '1st Belgrade Special Combat detachment' for purpose of combat against People's Liberation Movement (communist resistance) on territory of Serbia. Members of that unit called themselves 'Serbian Gestapo'. Creation of detachment started in July of the same year. Location was in building of primary school in Belgrade - Starine Novaka street no. 24. Recruitment of personnel was carried out by commander Strahinja JanjiÄ‡ and his deputy Svetozar NeÄ‡ak. Recruits were found amongst Gendarmerie, LjotiÄ‡ men's and individuals of Nazi believes. Acceptance was done by members of Belgrade Gestapo central in front of whom candidates were writing there autobiography and oath. At the end of 1942 detachment was largest and had 147 men. Because of different problems with members of Serbian Gestapo reorganization was done on 26 April 1943. Group of 22 agents was sent to Germany - Berlin - where they were divided into groups of three agents and sent to different companies. In detachment 33 agents remained until disbanded on 29 February 1944 after then Gestapo used individual agents as there own.

From acceptance each agent received its code name under which he was listed in Gestapo. In first months from formation of detachment with its members intensive training was carried out in area of army barracks. They were trained in use of infantry armament, gathering intelligence for police work, learning German language and listening to ideological-political classes. In barracks agents carried working uniforms of German army and in the field civilian suites or uniforms of SS units.

Members were used by German Gestapo individually, in small groups or as part of several dozens. In Belgrade and almost all other cities of Serbia they were used as agents-provocateurs with task of uncovering members and structure of People's Liberation Movement (NOP), gather information's on partisan detachment in certain areas etc. As part of units of German Armed Forces they participated in anti-partisan clearing (sweeps) operations during which they carried out searching (and looting) of houses, capturing and execution of members of People's Liberation Movement. Gestapo tried to get individual into organized structure of People's Liberation Movement as agents-provocateurs.

Many of the detachment members were criminals often abusing there authority finally forcing Germans to disbanded the unit.

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