TITO was an old and experienced fighter. The better part of his life had been spent in the struggle for human freedom and dignity. He never made the mistake of underestimating the enemy. He had seen the German panzers tried out in Spain, called in by Franco to destroy Spanish Republicanism. He had seen those same panzers, somewhat more perfected, knife through Yugoslavia in ten days. He knew how futile and foolish it would be to send his few half-armed guerrillas against them immediately.
Instead, he set about perfecting his organization, arming it as well as he could, and enlarging it. Wherever they could be reached, local Yugoslav Communist organizations were contacted. They, in turn, reached out and made common purpose with all anti - axis people they could reach. Liaison was perfected. Disguised as travelling men, as peasants, as housewives, Communist organizers, men and women travelled back and forth through the country. Communist branches were strengthened, arms were apportioned in a way to have the most effect, ammunition stretched as far as it could go.
And then, when the Communists had done all they could do, they waited for the opportune moment to strike. They had hardly completed their preparations when it came. In June, 1941, two months after the defeat of Yugoslavia, the Nazi panzers poured over the Russian frontier. The Stukas smashed at the Russian cities.
In Yugoslavia, an immediate effect of the Russian invasion was apparent. Needing every German soldier he could lay hands on, and believing that Yugoslavia was completely conquered, Hitler withdrew most of his Nazi garrisons. He left a small but strong holding force—and against that force the Liberation Front struck.
And for the first time, people outside of the Balkans heard of the Partisan Brigades, and their leader, Marshal Tito.