Until 8 June 1941, the German Army occupied a territory beyond the demarcated border with Italy. But on 8 June it retreated behind the demarcation line. The German-Italian Boundary Commission, which worked in the field until 13 September, made only a few minor corrections. One of them was made because of the mine in Krmelj. According to Marjan Zaman from Hinjce, the occupation border was originally demarcated so that Krmelj belonged to Germany. The Italian owner of the mine, Venčeslav Jakil, persuaded the commission to turn over Krmelj to the Italians. The new boundary ran just above Krmelj or between Hinjce and Krmelj, east of Tržišče, Zgornje Vodale, Telče and Pečice, and west of Bučka.
A part of the Dolenjska region on an original German map marking the occupation border between Germany and Italy. We have additionally marked the locations of German watchtowers that were placed at strategic points right next to the border. The concrete foundations of watchtowers have been fully preserved in Bučka, on the Okič Hill and in Hinjce, and partially in Goveji Dol and in some other places.
German border guards at the demarcation line between Germany and Italy. Taken from the book by Stane Mrvič and Janez Kos, Pomniki NOB na območju občine Sevnica, 15.
Ruins of a former Murn house near Tržišče in the Mirnska dolina valley along the Tržišče – Sevni- ca road, around 1980. There was a roadblock nearby. For a few months, the original occu- pation border ran less than a kilometre away to- wards Tržišče. The photograph is kept by: Oskar Zoran Zelič.
Marjan Zaman and Rafael Rafko Blažič next to the concrete foundations of a German watchtower in Hinjce above Krmelj. The Germans also built a bunker next to the watchtower, and dug firing trenches. Visible in the background is the rebuilt farm of Marjan Zaman, which was torn down by the Germans because it was located in the border zone. Marjan, who was a child at the time, was deported with his family to Germany, as were all other families along the German border. Author of photograph: Božidar Flajšman.
»We underwent racial examinations on 3 November 1941, after which we were deported, just as all other inhabitants of Bučka. We were sent on our way violently, at gunpoint, to Rajhenburg/Brestanica and then to German camps.« Ivica Žnidaršič. Author: Božidar Flajšman.
Eviction notice for the owner of the house, Raka, 19 May 1941. Dolenjski muzej Novo mesto.
