Issue: 2/2019

Military and Political Aspects of the State Visit of Yugoslav Premier-Minister dr. Milan Stojadinović to the Third Reich in January 1938

Authors:
Dalibor Denda

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Political and military relations between the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Third Reich became deeper as a consequence of better economic relations between these two countries during the regime of Dr. Milan Stojadinović (1935‐1939). The Great Depression and the German policy of "New Plan" bounded on bilateral clearing ‐‐ exchange agreements accelerated the exchange of goods under more favorable conditions than the market and made the countries of South‐East Europe, including the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, economically and politically dependent on the Third Reich. Firstly, because of economic reasons, but also encouraged by Great Britain as its main supporter in foreign policy matters, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia started gradually to move away from its traditional allies. The large positive trade balance with Germany also influenced the procurement of German armaments. Stojadinović's state visit to the Reich in January 1938 was the peak of Yugoslav‐German relations. During the official meeting, Stojadinović assured Hitler that there would be no intervention of Yugoslavia in the case of Anschluss with Austria and discussed the return of colonies to the Germany and improvement of British‐German relations. He also stayed cold‐blooded during the discussion on the fate of Yugoslav Ally from Little Entente, Czechoslovakia. That encouraged Hitler regarding his aggressive approach toward this country. Germans were very interested in Yugoslav military purchases. Their aim, if it was possible, was to supply Yugoslavs with anti‐ armor guns. They managed to engage some Yugoslav businessmen and even to corrupt the Yugoslav military attaché to Berlin. This attempt failed thanks to Stojadinović's institutional culture, because he consulted Yugoslav military technical experts regarding the issue. Welcomed enthusiastically in Berlin, Stojadinović’s visit should be seen as turning point in the attitude of the Allies toward Stojadinović and his approach to foreign policy. It was also the first significant step towards his removal from the position of Yugoslav prime minister, which would follow a year later.