Yugoslav military coup of 27 March 1941

E52686

The Yugoslav military coup of 27 March 1941 was a British-encouraged overthrow of Yugoslavia’s government that replaced its pro-Axis leadership with a regency more sympathetic to the Allies, prompting Nazi Germany’s swift invasion of the country.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf coup d'état
military coup
political event
alsoKnownAs 27 March coup
Belgrade coup of 1941
chronology occurred two days after Yugoslavia signed the Tripartite Pact
continent Europe
country Kingdom of Yugoslavia
date 27 March 1941
followedBy April War
Axis invasion of Yugoslavia
German invasion of Yugoslavia
bombing of Belgrade
governmentTypeAfter pro-Allied regency government
governmentTypeBefore pro-Axis government
hasCause British encouragement and support
Tripartite Pact signature by Yugoslavia
domestic opposition to pro-Axis policy
historicalPeriod 20th century
historicalRegion Balkans
installed King Peter II of Yugoslavia as de facto ruler
a government more sympathetic to the Allies
involved Yugoslav General Staff
Yugoslav royal court
ledBy Dušan Simović
location Belgrade
opposed Axis powers
opposedBy Adolf Hitler
Nazi Germany
overthrew Cvetković–Maček government
regency of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia
participant Royal Yugoslav Air Force officers
Royal Yugoslav Army officers
partOf World War II
politicalAlignmentAfter closer to the Allies
politicalAlignmentBefore aligned with Axis powers
replacedWith regency for Peter II of Yugoslavia
result abrogation of Yugoslavia’s adherence to the Tripartite Pact in practice
deterioration of relations with Nazi Germany
formation of a pro-Allied government
significance altered Axis strategic planning in the Balkans
example of British covert influence in Balkan politics during World War II
triggered Hitler’s decision to attack Yugoslavia
supportedBy British intelligence services
United Kingdom
temporalContext Balkan campaign of World War II
year 1941

Referenced by (5)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Yugoslav military coup of 27 March 1941 ("Belgrade coup of 1941")
alsoKnownAs
German invasion of Yugoslavia ("Yugoslav coup d’état of 27 March 1941")
cause
Peter II of Yugoslavia ("Yugoslav coup d'état of 27 March 1941")
event
Kingdom of Yugoslavia (pro-Axis government)
overthrownBy
Prince Paul of Yugoslavia ("Yugoslav coup d'état of 27 March 1941")
overthrownIn

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