The borders, which were finally laid down by June 1941, severed communications and cut through estates, making people owners of land on both sides. The eastern part of the Dolenjska region was severed from its centre throughout the war. Some of the stations on the railway line along the Sava River and in the Mirnska dolina valley became border stations. Border barricades were also placed on roads. A permit was required to cross the border.
Jelovec station in 1942. The photograph is kept by: Dušica Milost.
In May 1941, the judicial officer Leon Korošec had to travel from Kostanjevica to Novo mesto for family-related obligations. The picture shows two documents relating to the issuance of a pass which allowed him to travel. Dolenjski muzej Novo mesto.
Leon Korošec most likely travelled through the crossing in Cikava. The picture on the left shows guards and locals in 1941. The pictures on the right shows the same location in 1981 (top) and September 2019 (bottom). MNZS. Authors: Anton Štampohar and Božidar Flajšman.
Travels within the Province of Ljubljana were also made very difficult, as special passes were required. Both passes shown above were required for travelling from Novo mesto to Ljubljana. The first was valid only for five days, while the other was valid for six months. The second one was issued to a mother with two children. Zgodovinski arhiv Ljubljana, Enota za Dolenjsko in Belo krajino Novo mesto.
There was a crossing on the left bank of the Krka River near the house at the address Šmarješka cesta 58 between Ločna and Mačkovec. Viktor Miklič (born 1917) told us about the crossing. The picture above shows the border crossing in 1941, decorated with the famous inscription »Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Fuhrer« The picture below was taken 78 years later. Dolenjski muzej Novo mesto. Author: Božidar Flajšman.
The Partisans used several techniques for crossing the heavily guarded border. They could dig a tunnel under the barbed wire and throw their rucksacks over the wire. The second option was cutting the wire. The third method was placing a ladder on top of the wire and crawling across the border. In any case, they had to be careful not to trigger any landmines. It was especially dangerous in the winter. The soil was frozen and footprints were visible in the snow. As told by Zdenko Roter (born 1926). Author: Božidar Flajšman.
