09/14/2026
The Yugoslav People's Defense Corps (KNOJ) was a special unit of the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army (JPA), which was responsible for security and protection in the liberated territories. It was formed on 15 August 1944 by decision of the National Committee for the Liberation of Yugoslavia (NKOJ). It was subordinate to the Commissioner for National Defense of the NKOJ, Marshal Josip Broz Tito, who commanded it through the head of the Department for the Protection of the People (OZN), Aleksandar Marko Rankovic.
Immediately before the formation of the Yugoslav National Defense Corps, in July 1944, on the territory of Yugoslavia, about 5,000 fighters were in the national defense units, which were engaged in security in the liberated territories. At the end of the war, in May 1945, the KNOJ had eight divisions. The main tasks of the KNOJ were to clear the liberated territory of all kinds of enemies, assist the National Liberation Committees in organizing life in the liberated territory, and secure the borders of Yugoslavia, to the extent of its liberation. After the end of the war, the KNOJ, in cooperation with other bodies, was the main factor in securing the country's borders and destroying the remaining enemy units.
The Yugoslav People's Defense Corps was disbanded in January 1953, and its responsibilities were taken over by the Border Units of the Yugoslav People's Army and the People's Militia.