Register of the Dušan T. Simovic writings
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
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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
Correspondence
1941-1956.
Scope and Contents note
Contains letters, telegrams, and enclosures, arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.
box 1, folder 2
Churchill, Winston S.
1942-1956
box 1, folder 3
Ćurčić, P. and Jovo Džanjevic
1942
box 1, folder 5
Fotić, Konstantin
1941-1942
box 1, folder 10
Petar II, King of Yugolsvia
1941-1945
box 1, folder 15
Tsouderos, Emmanouil
1942
Speeches
1941-1944.
Scope and Contents note
Consists of transcripts of radio broadcasts and speeches, arranged in two groups
box 1, folder 19
September 1941. "O Novoj Evropi i o Novom Balkanu," talk to Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
box 1, folder 19
31 March 1943. "The Importance of the Events 31 March 1941" talk, The Royal Yugoslav Society, London
box 1, folder 20
Message to Yugoslav exiles in Brasilia, Brazil
1943
Writings
1941-1962.
Scope and Contents note
Includes preliminary and unfinished drafts of an autobiography, notes, newspaper clippings, arranged in three groups: memoir,
diary, and fragments
"Uspomene, Autobiografija" memoir draft
undated
box 1, folder 21
"Content and Preface for Autobiography"
box 1, folder 25-27
"Formation of Yugoslavia, 1918-1937"
box 1, folder 28
"Preparation for War, 1938-1940"
box 1, folder 29
"Nedić, Prince Paul and close ties with Germany, 1940"
box 1, folder 30
"German Invasion, April-June 1941"
box 1, folder 31-37
"Exile in London, 1941-1944"
box 1, folder 38
"End of War, Return to Yugoslavia, 1945-1948"
box 2, folder 1
Final draft transcribed by Dragiša Ristić
1950
box 2, folder 3
Balkan Wars notes 1912-1913
1962
box 2, folder 4
"Jugoslavia na Prekretnici,"
1939-1943�
box 2, folder 5
World War I notes
undated
box 2, folder 7
Reconciliation and events surrounding the coup
27 March 1941
box 2, folder 8
Dragutin Savić's testimony on the events on 27 March 1941
box 2, folder 9
"Last Negotiation with Axis,"
circa 1941
box 2, folder 10
"Pitanje Kapitulacije Vojske,"
circa 1942
box 2, folder 11
Dokument o Jugoslaviji (Document of Yugoslavia) brochure by Dragiša Cvetković with comments
1957
box 2, folder 12
"Slom Stare Jugoslavije" by Ferdo Čulinović
1958
box 2, folder 13
"Cairo Affair," an excerpt
circa 1941
