The Annexation of Međimurje to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes From the unsuccessful attempt on 13 November to the successful occupation of Međimurje on 24 December 1918

Autor na temelju arhivske građe iz Zagreba i Beograda, novinskih izvještaja i stručne literature daje prikaz događanja u Međimurju koja su uslijedila nakon narodnih istupa ili Međimurske revolucije. Prikazan je pokušaj zaposjedanja 13. studenog 1918., koji je zbog nedovoljne pripremljenosti propao. Uslijedile su intenzivne pripreme za drugu vojnu akciju, koja je uspješno provedena 24. prosinca 1918., kada je Međimurje vojnim putem pripojeno ostatku hrvatskih zemalja, tj. novoosnovanome Kraljevstvu Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca.After the establishment of the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, the Međimurje region, then part of the Hungarian Zalad County, desired to become part of the newly-created state. After the capitulation of Austria-Hungary, there were riots in Međimurje, better known as the Međimurje Revolution or the Public Actions (narodni istupi). The Hungarian authorities responded by introducing martial law, resulting in over a hundred death sentences being carried out. News on these deplorable events first reached neighbouring Varaždin and the local national council, which thus became a centre of information from where news was forwarded to the central National Council in Zagreb. In the evening of 13 November 1918, a military operation aimed to occupy Međimurje was launched from Varaždin, but it failed due to a lack of preparation. This paper analyses the reasons why the mentioned action failed. The Belgrade Ceasefire was signed on the same day, and Međimurje remained within the borders of Hungary. Intense preparations for the organisation of a new military operation followed. The central National Council in Zagreb turned to the Serbian army for help, but was turned down. On 24 December 1918, a second attempt to occupy the area was initiated. Lieutenant Colonel Slavko Kvaternik was appointed to lead the Croatian forces, while their field commander was Lieutenant Colonel Dragutin Perko. In only a few hours, the army of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes occupied Međimurje without facing any resistance. In this way, the area bordered by the Mura and Drava Rivers was annexed to the other Croatian lands, i.e. the newly-established Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes