Figure 1.--.

Yugoslav had a range of nationalist organizations, but this is very complicated because many were ethically based and not national organizations. I believe there were also organizations with religious and political foundations and well as groups with over-lapped these various elements. Building a natinalist youth organization in such a divided country would have been difficult, but there were many different youth groups in the various constiuent parts of Yugoslavia. After the German World War II invasion, Yugoslavia was partinioned between Germzany, Italy, and their Balkan partners. Croatia became a NAZI ally. Presumably they had some form of NAZI youth group. There may have been other Fascist groups formed in the other areas occupied Yugoslavia. The Hitler Youth was established in the area of Slovenia annexed to the Reich. We have very limited information about these Yugoslav organizations, but have foynd some informatioin on Croatia.

Croatia

We have obtained some information about nationalist youth groups in Croatia during the inter-War and World War II eras. We suspect that similar groups were organized with the constituent parts of Yugoslavia.

Hrvatski Sokol (Croatian Falcon)

Hrvatski Sokol ment Croatian falcon. I believe that Sokol was a national organization. We have noted Sokol in other countries as well, such as Czechoslovakia. Sokol was a social and gymnastic society. It may have also been involved in nationalist agitation. The Hrvatski Sokol was the Croation unit of the organization. Hrvatski means Croatian. The Hrvatski Sokol had beige uniforms. The organization was disolved after the Yugoslav government cracked down on Croatian nationsalists. when the Yugoslav Govern

Hrvatski Krizari (Croatian Crusaders)

The Hrvatski Krizari were the Croatian Crusaders. One member reports meeting in Franciscan cloisters. The Franciscans, often referred to as the Grey Friars (because if the color of their habit) were strongly associated with Croatian nationalism. They helped maintain the Catholic faith during several centuries of Ottoman occupation. I do not know much about the nature of this organization, but there appears to have been a strong religious element.

Marijina Kongregacija (St. Mary's Congregation)

This is another youth organization with a Catholic religious foundation. Jesuites seem toi have been active as leaders. Members were teenage students. There were religious activities as well as arange of recreation ewhich may have varied from unit to unit. Some members report skating and volleyball. There were commonly facilities with games such as table tennis and billiards. There were also orchestras and amateur theater groups.

Zrinski (Sports Club)

Hrvatski Junak (Croatian Brave) (1939-41)

The Yugoslav Government in an effort to defuse ethnic tensions, granted Croatia (Banovina Hrvatska) autonomy within Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1939). The Peasant Party of Croatia founded its youth group auxillery, the Hrvatski Junak ("Croatian Brave"). It was an organization for boys and girls. The uniform for both had a blue cap.

Ustaska Mladez (Ustasa Youth) (1941-45)

The NAZIs invaded and quickly occupied Yugoslaviaduring orld war II (April 1941). Croatian nationalists known as the Ushtashi declared Croatia's independence and the country began a loyal NAZI ally. The new Croatian state (NDH) created a youth group mimiking the Hitler Youth. Hrvatski Junak was converted into the Ustaska Mladez (Ustasa Youth). Membership was manditory. Children and youth had to join. In particular, there was no way children at school could avoid joining when classes resumed (Fall 1941). This was a group with a strong Fascist orientation. The uniform cap had a big letter "U" with a bomb in it--the badge of the NDH Ustasa regime. Youth as young as 15 years of age were given paramilitary training. They helped police or Ustasa secret police arrest, abduct and transport unfortunates to the prisons or camps where most were killed. Few ever returned alive. [Springer]

Kosovo

Macedonia

Montenegro

Slovenia

Slovenia after the NAZI invasion was split between and Ita;ian and German occupation zone. The Hitler Youth was established in the area of Slovenia annexed to the Reich.

Serbia

Sources

Springer, Zvonko Z. "The youth organizations prior &during WW2 in Croatia".