Michael Martens and What We Believe When We Talk About Killing German Soldiers
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A historical account discusses a warning given to a Croatian leader about Josip Broz Tito's post-war intentions.
- The warning suggested Tito's partisans would establish a Soviet-style regime in Yugoslavia.
- The context involves a discussion about German soldiers killed during World War II.
A historical account delves into a significant warning reportedly issued to a Croatian leader concerning the future intentions of Josip Broz Tito and his partisan movement. According to the narrative, a figure named Maclean cautioned the prime minister that Tito's partisans would establish a Soviet-style rule in Yugoslavia following the war.
The exchange, as recounted, highlights the political anxieties of the era. The prime minister's response to Maclean's warning reportedly questioned Maclean's own intentions, asking if he planned to live in the Soviet Union. This retort suggests a complex understanding of the geopolitical landscape and the perceived threat of Soviet influence.
Furthermore, the narrative includes a striking directive attributed to Maclean: "your job is simply to find out who is killing the most Germans there, and then suggest ways in which we could help them kill even more." This statement places the discussion within the context of World War II and the ongoing conflict with German forces, framing the internal Yugoslavian political dynamics against the backdrop of the larger war effort and the desire to weaken the enemy.
your job is simply to find out who is killing the most Germans there, and then suggest ways in which we could help them kill even more
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.