"Devil at the Gates": German Intelligence Services and Propaganda in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia 1938-1941

Abstract

On the opposite sides during the Great War, Yugoslavia and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1920. During the first decade they were not too significant, but the turning point was the global economic crisis of 1929- 1931. In 1931 Germany became the biggest importer of Yugoslav goods, and the German diplomatic representative in Belgrade maintained cordial relations with King Alexander. As is often the case with Germany, the economic influence preceded the political. Germany was quick to capitalize on the void left after Yugoslavia joined the League of Nations’ sanctions imposed on Italy in 1935, and practically took the place of Italy as importer of Yugoslav goods. By the time of the Anschluss, Germany had already accounted for 42% of both Yugoslav import and export. This trend only intensified after the Second World War began, and Germany soon accounted for more than 50% of all Yugoslav trade