Jaka Avšič, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Jaka Avšič

Slovene diplomat and political commissar (1896-1978)

Date of Birth: 24-Apr-1896

Place of Birth: Ljubljana, Ljubljana City Municipality, Slovenia

Date of Death: 02-Jan-1978

Profession: politician, political commissar, diplomat

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Jakob "Jaka" Avšic (nom de guerre Branko Hrast) (24 April 1896 – 2 January 1978) was the first commander of Chetnik units (Plava garda) in Slovenia during the Second World War.
At the end of October 1941, Colonel Avšic and Major Karl Novak went to Ravna Gora and met with Draža Mihailovic, who appointed Avšic as his representative in Slovenia.
Avšic soon deserted the Yugoslav Army in Fatherland and joined the communists.
He was then instructed by the communist executive board to try to convince other Yugoslav army officers to desert and join the communists.
During the war he used the pseudonym Branko Hrast.During the war, Avšic asked Tito if Slovenian soldiers would be allowed to use Slovene in the units of the communist forces in Slovenia.
Tito was quick to confirm that they would, but forgot his promise until 1945.