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Shadows on the Mountain: The Allies, the Resistance, and the Rivalries that Doomed WWII Yugoslavia
An in-depth look at a crucial, little-known World War II episode—the failed Allied policy in Yugoslavia and its ramifications in the Balkans and beyondWinston Churchill called it one of his biggest wartime failures—the shift of British and U.S. support from Yugoslavia's Draža Mihailovic and his royalist resistance movement to Tito and his communist Partisans. This book illuminates the complex reasons behind that failure through the incredible story of what has been called the greatest rescue of Allied airmen from behind enemy lines in World War II history, a rescue executed, incredibly, with minimal official support from the United States and none such support from Great Britain.
Recounts an unknown chapter of World War II history and the single largest rescue operation of the war
Starting with Serbia's tragedy and triumph in World War II through civil war in Yugoslavia during World War I, focuses on the history of the Balkans, a tragically misunderstood part of the world
Sheds new light on the OSS-SOE relationship and manipulations of intelligence that profoundly altered policy decision making
Reveals how failed Allied policy set the stage for Yugoslavia's breakup in the 1990s
Details the wartime camaraderie of unlikely warriors who became fast friends, outcasts, and heroes in executing the rescue
Written with the drama of a novel and the insight of serious history, Shadows on the Mountain is essential reading for anyone interested in World War II, European history, and the Balkans.
Recounts an unknown chapter of World War II history and the single largest rescue operation of the war
Starting with Serbia's tragedy and triumph in World War II through civil war in Yugoslavia during World War I, focuses on the history of the Balkans, a tragically misunderstood part of the world
Sheds new light on the OSS-SOE relationship and manipulations of intelligence that profoundly altered policy decision making
Reveals how failed Allied policy set the stage for Yugoslavia's breakup in the 1990s
Details the wartime camaraderie of unlikely warriors who became fast friends, outcasts, and heroes in executing the rescue
Written with the drama of a novel and the insight of serious history, Shadows on the Mountain is essential reading for anyone interested in World War II, European history, and the Balkans.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 13, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 10, 2012
From beginning to end “Shadows on the Mountain” is steeped in Yugoslavian history. Marcia Christoff Kurapovna, former Balkan Reporter, provides an excellent source of reading material for all OSS enthusiasts!
This exquisite work is accompanied by biographical vignettes of key figures whose undaunted heroism bring deep appreciation of who they were, what they accomplished in the preservation of a nation, and why insurgents revered and feared their very existence. The material may be a challenge for the novice but once entrenched, it is a tremendous aid for the reader to understand the culture and mindset of the Yugoslavian people and the antipathies that existed between the Croats (Partisans) and Serbs (Chetniks) long before the war with Germany.
Having set the stage, this book is a compilation of carefully documented clandestine operations of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Office of Strategic Service (OSS) in Yugoslavia during World War II. The author exposes an atmosphere of mistrust, deceit and internal political conflicts; a growing challenge that both agencies struggled with throughout the war while trying to achieve their objective.
In great detail Kurapovna reveals the missions that influenced the decision of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin at the Tehran Conference to sacrifice ties with the living legacy of Draza Mihailovic, leader of the Serbian Chetniks in exchange for the full support of the Communist Partisan movement of Josep Broz, an opportunist known by his nom de guerre as Marshall Tito. Churchill would later regret this total shift of support calling it “one of his biggest wartime failures.” Kurapovna surmises it as “…one of the saddest chapters of miscommunication, subversion, and deceit in the history of the Allied cause during World War II.”
In true journalistic form, this book provides unbiased accounts of the heroism of both Partisans and Chetniks and gives detail to the origin of their religious and political differences thereby clarifying the historic civil unrest that still exists today.
Of the brave women whose contributions often go unheralded, examples of fearless Partisan women are mentioned whose actions rivaled the best of men. Serbian women who fought with the Chetniks were few; however, none so surprising as the acceptance of an American woman, Ruth Mitchell. She was the daughter of a Wisconsin senator who would leave wealth and luxury to serve this guerrilla organization as courier and spy until her capture by the Germans. Her wit and determination enabled her to survive the duration of the war, bringing her through some of the most horrendous living conditions imaginable.
Recognition is given to the high caliber of personnel and joint efforts of both SOE and OSS, their daring successes as well as miscalculations, and the price someone, or at times entire villages, would pay for such endeavors. Undisputed are the primary efforts of the SOE who established the first joint missions to Mihailovic and Tito. Their operations, aided by the OSS and American military supplies, secured a fighting force in the Partisans under Tito, whose leadership ultimately rivaled Stalin himself, inhibiting his post war intentions with Yugoslavia.
Comments of high ranking German officers are brought into account as well as the demonic atrocities of Croatia’s Ustase. Their attempts to euthanize the Serbian people brought to utter ruin two centuries of worthy efforts to unify a nation both politically and culturally.
While the author reveals the hostilities that intensified between Partisans and Chetniks, she also brings careful attention to the OSS agents who found themselves dropped into this quagmire of events, yet achieved remarkable success. One such agent, Major Linn “Slim” Farish crisscrossed the mountains of Serbia and Bosnia often on horseback to locate downed airmen. Admired by the American, British, and Yugoslavs, he was referred to as “Lawrence of Yugoslavia.” Even OSS Director William J. Donovan, alias “Wild Bill”, warned Farish of the risks involved. Farish refused to comply and would continue combing the Serbian Mountains. His relentless efforts, with the help of determined fellow mission personnel and Partisan soldiers, resulted in hundreds being rescued.
On the Chetniks side, and in spite of the quenching powers that be, the author expounds on “one of the most glamorous events of the war”, the Halyard Mission. This historical rescue of downed American and Allied airmen gives account to the undisputed loyalty of Draza Mihailovic, the Chetniks and the local Serbian people. The author brings to light the undaunted courage against insurmountable odds that enabled the OSS to bring about the rescue of some 500 downed American airmen alone, hailing this event as one of the most significant missions in the history of the OSS.
Marcia Kurapovna reveals numerous thwarted surrender attempts by various plenipotentiaries of the German High Command. In one such attempt, twenty-nine German Divisions were offered to OSS McDowell via Mihailovic; however, early peace talks were stymied by Supreme High Command. While humor and disbelief can be found in the disarray of the Soviets preliminary missions, emotions are fanned into flame by the news of the non-stop Allied supplies that poured into Partisan camps which greatly aided in the dissemination of the Chetniks movement. And with disheartened detail the author reveals the betrayal of Mihailovic by his closest military associate, leading to his capture, post-war puppet trial and execution.
For decades the world didn’t know much of Draza Mihailovic or the truth about the missions and sacrifices of so many in Yugoslavia. Considered an unsung hero, Mihailovic’s posthumous Legion of Merit Award would be deemed “classified” until the intervention of an Illinois Congressman in 1967. In 2005 it would be presented to Mihailovic’s daughter Gordana, then a 78 year old retired medical doctor. Whereas some closure may be given to those involved in the missions it is because of such splendid books as “Shadows on the Mountain,” that the legacy and loyalty of the brave men and women involved will never be forgotten.
Wm S. Marsh ~ Mierzejewski
This exquisite work is accompanied by biographical vignettes of key figures whose undaunted heroism bring deep appreciation of who they were, what they accomplished in the preservation of a nation, and why insurgents revered and feared their very existence. The material may be a challenge for the novice but once entrenched, it is a tremendous aid for the reader to understand the culture and mindset of the Yugoslavian people and the antipathies that existed between the Croats (Partisans) and Serbs (Chetniks) long before the war with Germany.
Having set the stage, this book is a compilation of carefully documented clandestine operations of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Office of Strategic Service (OSS) in Yugoslavia during World War II. The author exposes an atmosphere of mistrust, deceit and internal political conflicts; a growing challenge that both agencies struggled with throughout the war while trying to achieve their objective.
In great detail Kurapovna reveals the missions that influenced the decision of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin at the Tehran Conference to sacrifice ties with the living legacy of Draza Mihailovic, leader of the Serbian Chetniks in exchange for the full support of the Communist Partisan movement of Josep Broz, an opportunist known by his nom de guerre as Marshall Tito. Churchill would later regret this total shift of support calling it “one of his biggest wartime failures.” Kurapovna surmises it as “…one of the saddest chapters of miscommunication, subversion, and deceit in the history of the Allied cause during World War II.”
In true journalistic form, this book provides unbiased accounts of the heroism of both Partisans and Chetniks and gives detail to the origin of their religious and political differences thereby clarifying the historic civil unrest that still exists today.
Of the brave women whose contributions often go unheralded, examples of fearless Partisan women are mentioned whose actions rivaled the best of men. Serbian women who fought with the Chetniks were few; however, none so surprising as the acceptance of an American woman, Ruth Mitchell. She was the daughter of a Wisconsin senator who would leave wealth and luxury to serve this guerrilla organization as courier and spy until her capture by the Germans. Her wit and determination enabled her to survive the duration of the war, bringing her through some of the most horrendous living conditions imaginable.
Recognition is given to the high caliber of personnel and joint efforts of both SOE and OSS, their daring successes as well as miscalculations, and the price someone, or at times entire villages, would pay for such endeavors. Undisputed are the primary efforts of the SOE who established the first joint missions to Mihailovic and Tito. Their operations, aided by the OSS and American military supplies, secured a fighting force in the Partisans under Tito, whose leadership ultimately rivaled Stalin himself, inhibiting his post war intentions with Yugoslavia.
Comments of high ranking German officers are brought into account as well as the demonic atrocities of Croatia’s Ustase. Their attempts to euthanize the Serbian people brought to utter ruin two centuries of worthy efforts to unify a nation both politically and culturally.
While the author reveals the hostilities that intensified between Partisans and Chetniks, she also brings careful attention to the OSS agents who found themselves dropped into this quagmire of events, yet achieved remarkable success. One such agent, Major Linn “Slim” Farish crisscrossed the mountains of Serbia and Bosnia often on horseback to locate downed airmen. Admired by the American, British, and Yugoslavs, he was referred to as “Lawrence of Yugoslavia.” Even OSS Director William J. Donovan, alias “Wild Bill”, warned Farish of the risks involved. Farish refused to comply and would continue combing the Serbian Mountains. His relentless efforts, with the help of determined fellow mission personnel and Partisan soldiers, resulted in hundreds being rescued.
On the Chetniks side, and in spite of the quenching powers that be, the author expounds on “one of the most glamorous events of the war”, the Halyard Mission. This historical rescue of downed American and Allied airmen gives account to the undisputed loyalty of Draza Mihailovic, the Chetniks and the local Serbian people. The author brings to light the undaunted courage against insurmountable odds that enabled the OSS to bring about the rescue of some 500 downed American airmen alone, hailing this event as one of the most significant missions in the history of the OSS.
Marcia Kurapovna reveals numerous thwarted surrender attempts by various plenipotentiaries of the German High Command. In one such attempt, twenty-nine German Divisions were offered to OSS McDowell via Mihailovic; however, early peace talks were stymied by Supreme High Command. While humor and disbelief can be found in the disarray of the Soviets preliminary missions, emotions are fanned into flame by the news of the non-stop Allied supplies that poured into Partisan camps which greatly aided in the dissemination of the Chetniks movement. And with disheartened detail the author reveals the betrayal of Mihailovic by his closest military associate, leading to his capture, post-war puppet trial and execution.
For decades the world didn’t know much of Draza Mihailovic or the truth about the missions and sacrifices of so many in Yugoslavia. Considered an unsung hero, Mihailovic’s posthumous Legion of Merit Award would be deemed “classified” until the intervention of an Illinois Congressman in 1967. In 2005 it would be presented to Mihailovic’s daughter Gordana, then a 78 year old retired medical doctor. Whereas some closure may be given to those involved in the missions it is because of such splendid books as “Shadows on the Mountain,” that the legacy and loyalty of the brave men and women involved will never be forgotten.
Wm S. Marsh ~ Mierzejewski
June 23, 2020
My mother came from the old Yugoslavia. This book is historical revisionism.
My impression was that the author was composing a polemic, and using her skills as a writer to push her point across. She added her own feelings as often as she could.
If that's your aim, you're better to write fiction because it is not objective history to cherry pick your information then subjectively interpret it. This is a common practice. Scientists and theologians do the same.
The paragraphs about Istria, where my mother came from, were ridiculous. Apparently one was supposed to feel sympathy for the retreating Germans rather than the Yugoslav Partisans whom the author clearly hated and who were the object of her derision throughout the book. In the park in my mother's village is a WW2 cenotaph with the names of 35 dead men and one woman out of a population of 900. Above the names is the Partisan star and the following words, ‘This stone was erected as a sign of gratitude to the fighters, Croatian and Italian, of this community. Casualties for the liberation of our people.’
My impression was that the author was composing a polemic, and using her skills as a writer to push her point across. She added her own feelings as often as she could.
If that's your aim, you're better to write fiction because it is not objective history to cherry pick your information then subjectively interpret it. This is a common practice. Scientists and theologians do the same.
The paragraphs about Istria, where my mother came from, were ridiculous. Apparently one was supposed to feel sympathy for the retreating Germans rather than the Yugoslav Partisans whom the author clearly hated and who were the object of her derision throughout the book. In the park in my mother's village is a WW2 cenotaph with the names of 35 dead men and one woman out of a population of 900. Above the names is the Partisan star and the following words, ‘This stone was erected as a sign of gratitude to the fighters, Croatian and Italian, of this community. Casualties for the liberation of our people.’
November 16, 2011
Another week, another rubbish book about Yugoslavia. This time it's Shadows on the Mountain by Marcia Kurapovna. Okay I suppose most of it's accurate, well I hope so I don't know the subject that well, but there are some real howlers like:
1. Draza Mihailovic (the Chetnik leader) was awarded the VC by Britain in WW1!
2. Sweden had a government in exile in the UK in WW2!
3. An average German division had 30 000 to 45 000 men.
2. The Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1943 was Admiral Sir "Nehry Hardwood". Okay that's probably a typo but don't proofreaders exist anymore?
1. Draza Mihailovic (the Chetnik leader) was awarded the VC by Britain in WW1!
2. Sweden had a government in exile in the UK in WW2!
3. An average German division had 30 000 to 45 000 men.
2. The Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1943 was Admiral Sir "Nehry Hardwood". Okay that's probably a typo but don't proofreaders exist anymore?
April 26, 2025
This book does have some interesting parts about the Chetniks rescuing downed Allied airmen that the standard-issue histories of the WWII-era FRY usually choose to ignore.
That being said, the author relies very heavily on memoirs and secondary sources. She also makes some very basic mistakes, such as calling August Meyszner "Meissner," and saying that he was "The head of the Gestapo in Belgrade," (he was the HSSPF of Serbia, which means that the 'head of the Gestapo in Belgrade' would have been one of his subordinates), and that Harold Alexander was "Governor of Canada" and "from Ireland" (he was Governor-General and an Ulster Protestant born in London.)
Also, the author is more than a tad disingenuous when she says she has no personal stake in this issue. The dust jacket says she works for The Economist , which means she is part of the free trade über alles Davos World Order that wants to take money away from US Veterans and reinvest it in every foreign country imaginable instead.
That being said, the author relies very heavily on memoirs and secondary sources. She also makes some very basic mistakes, such as calling August Meyszner "Meissner," and saying that he was "The head of the Gestapo in Belgrade," (he was the HSSPF of Serbia, which means that the 'head of the Gestapo in Belgrade' would have been one of his subordinates), and that Harold Alexander was "Governor of Canada" and "from Ireland" (he was Governor-General and an Ulster Protestant born in London.)
Also, the author is more than a tad disingenuous when she says she has no personal stake in this issue. The dust jacket says she works for The Economist , which means she is part of the free trade über alles Davos World Order that wants to take money away from US Veterans and reinvest it in every foreign country imaginable instead.
February 7, 2019
An excellent book, very well-researched. Much of what is covered in the book was wholly unknown to me until a few days ago when I started reading the book
My only complaint (and quite a big one) is that there TOO MANY NAMES! I got lost in certain chapters to the point of frustration. The last chapter about the German surrender was so promising until I saw how many names were there it was impossible to keep track (I read the chapter twice to absorb it properly)
Overall, bravo!
My only complaint (and quite a big one) is that there TOO MANY NAMES! I got lost in certain chapters to the point of frustration. The last chapter about the German surrender was so promising until I saw how many names were there it was impossible to keep track (I read the chapter twice to absorb it properly)
Overall, bravo!
September 3, 2012
Actually I didn't finish but there is no other way I could rate it. I have a particular interest in the area and the time period so was looking forward to learning about he evolution of the modern geopolitical landscape and particularly how WWII influenced its development. Although I'm sure that info is in here, the writing is so thick and wordy I could not follow where things were going or what point was trying to be made. It felt to me like the purpose of this writing style was to sound "academic" and "authoritative". To me it was nonsensical in style.
Poorly written. Disappointing. Hope there's an alternate book out there that may fill the gap.
Poorly written. Disappointing. Hope there's an alternate book out there that may fill the gap.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews