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Simovic (Dusan T.) writings
92076  
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  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical/Historical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Title: Dušan T. Simovic writings
    Date (inclusive): 1941-1962
    Collection Number: 92076
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 2 manuscript boxes (0.8 Linear Feet)
    Abstract: Consists of correspondence, speeches, a memoir and a diary documenting Simović's military career, Serbian military operations during World War I, political conditions in Yugoslavia prior to World War II, the Yugoslav coup d'état of 27 March 1941, and the government-in-exile in London during World War II.
    Creator: Simović, Dušan, 1882-1962
    Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Access

    The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

    Use

    For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1992.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Dušan T. Simovic writings, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Biographical/Historical Note

    28 October 1882 Born in Kragujevac, Serbia
    1900 Graduated, Belgrade Military Academy, Yugoslavia
    1912-1913 Served in the Balkan wars; promoted to the rank of General Staff Major
    1914-1918 Served in World War I; promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel
    1918-1940 Delegate of the Serbian Government and the Supreme Command at the National Council of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs in Zagreb in 1918; devoted his military career to the Air Force
    1936-1940 Served as chief of the Air Force and commander-in-chief of the Royal Yugoslav Army
    1938-1940 Served as Chief of the General Staff of the Yugoslav Royal Army; forced to resign in 1940 after advocating resistance in case of a German attack
    25 March 1941 Tripartite Pact with the Germans signed by Dragiša Cvetković, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, in Vienna
    27 March 1941 Led a military coup of Royal Yugoslav officers to overthrow the government of Dragiša Cvetković
    1941-1942 Served as Prime Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Yugoslav Army
    13 April 1941 Held the last session of the Royal Yugoslav government in Nikšić, Montenegro
    15 April 1941 Escorted King Petar II out of Yugoslavia to safety
    April-June 1941 Served in the Yugoslav government-in-exile in Jerusalem and London
    11 January 1942 Dismissed as Prime Minister of Yugoslavia over political disagreements within the exiled Yugoslav government
    1943 Retired; joined the "People's Liberation Movement"
    1945-1946 Returned to Belgrade; participated as a witness at the trial of Draža Mihailović
    1962 Died in Belgrade

    Scope and Content of Collection

    Contains correspondence, speeches, a memoir, and a diary documenting Simović's military career, Serbian military operations during World War I, political conditions in Yugoslavia prior to World War II, the Yugoslav coup d'état of 27 March 1941, and the government-in-exile in London during World War II. The materials provide insight into the events surrounding the military coup and record Simović's thoughts as a leading military and public figure in Royal Yugoslavia, especially the war years Simović spent with the government-in-exile in London.
    The Correspondence mainly includes exchanges with exiled Yugoslav government leaders regarding the wartime situation in Yugoslavia. Of particular interest are Simović's letters to King Petar II, expressing his position on dissension within the Yugoslav government-in-exile in London, and correspondence with Winston Churchill referring to the war in Yugoslavia and Simović's offer to serve in His Majesty's government as a retired Royal Yugoslav general.
    Transcripts of Simović's Speeches, broadcast on London radio, express his position on the wartime situation in Yugoslavia, the exile community, and the Balkan region.
    The Writings contain preliminary drafts and related material for an extensive memoir titled "Uspomene, Autobiografia," documenting Simović's military and political career, his role during the Balkan Wars, World War I, Yugoslavia in the inter-war years, and wartime in exile in London. The final draft of "Uspomene Autobiografija" was transcribed by Dragiša Ristić. Fragments of writings and notes contain Simović's reflections on events surrounding the Yugoslav Army surrender and the "Cairo Affair," as well as a pamphlet titled Dokument o Jugoslaviji (Document of Yugoslavia) published by Dragiša Cvetković.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    World War, 1939-1945 -- Yugoslavia
    Yugoslavia -- History -- Axis occupation, 1941-1945
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Diplomatic history
    Yugoslavia -- Politics and government -- 1918-1945
    Statesmen -- Yugoslavia
    World War, 1914-1918 -- Serbia
    Yugoslavia -- Foreign relations -- 1918-1945