Jaka Avšič
Jakob "Jaka" Avšič was the first commander of Chetnik units in Slovenia during the Second World War. At the end of October 1941, Colonel Avšič and Major Karl Novak went to Ravna Gora and met with Draža Mihailović, who appointed Avšič as his representative in Slovenia. Avšič 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, Avšič 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.
