An exceptionally decorated Canadian veteran

Among Tito’s partisans was one striking figure: a Canadian officer who found himself thousands of kilometres from home, caught up in a guerrilla war in the Balkans. From the hidden partisan base, Base 20, he helped organise the resistance against the German occupiers. His name was William Jones. What began as a liaison mission developed into an exceptional role within one of the most successful resistance movements of the Second World War.

Hidden amongst the vast forests of what is now Slovenia lay Base 20, the secret headquarters of Tito’s partisans, during the Second World War. The complex consisted of camouflaged wooden buildings connected by narrow forest paths. From this virtually untraceable location, military operations were planned, contact was maintained with the Allies, and wanted individuals were kept hidden from the German occupiers. It was to this remote world that William Jones arrived in 1943 as a representative of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). After parachuting into occupied territory, Jones had no idea where he would end up. In the darkness, he was guided ever deeper into the interior via forest roads, mountain tracks and hidden checkpoints. It was not until hours later that a secret partisan headquarters appeared amongst the trees. It was here that his mission began within the hidden partisan network known as Base 20.

Jones was not a young officer, but a veteran of the First World War who had twice been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, a high honour for bravery that ranked just one step below the Victoria Cross. He had also lost his left eye during fighting in the First World War.

After special training in Egypt, Jones was deployed as a liaison officer between the Allies and Tito’s partisans. His official task was to gather intelligence and maintain communication links. In practice, however, he became increasingly involved in the guerrilla war being waged from Base 20. During his time there, Jones witnessed at first hand how partisan units repelled German offensives and destroyed railway lines, bridges and trains to disrupt the occupiers’ supply lines.

Jones supported acts of sabotage against German targets and constantly advocated for additional weapons, equipment and supplies for the partisan army. His dedication impressed the resistance fighters with whom he worked. At the same time, his active involvement caused concern amongst his superiors in Cairo and London, who would have preferred him to act as an observer rather than a participant. Furthermore, the German authorities took him seriously enough to offer a reward of 50,000 Reichsmarks for his capture, dead or alive.

After twelve months with the partisans, Jones returned to Great Britain. Despite his efforts whilst stationed at Base 20 and his contribution to cooperation between the Allies and the Yugoslav Resistance, he received no British or Canadian decoration for his service.

The recognition came from a different quarter. After the war, Marshal Tito awarded him the Order of the Yugoslav Flag with a Gold Wreath, the Order of Valour and the Order of Merit for the People with a Gold Star. This meant that Jones added three high Yugoslav honours to the two Distinguished Conduct Medals he had already received during the First World War.

When he died in 1969, he was buried near his home in Ontario. Years later, Yugoslav veterans and immigrants erected a memorial stone on his grave. The inscription describes him as a great friend of the peoples of Yugoslavia, a fitting tribute to a Canadian officer who earned a special place in the history of Base 20 and Tito’s partisans.

Jones recorded his experiences in the book *Twelve Months with Tito’s Partisans*. This memoir is now available online in digital form.