 In April 1941 , Germany , Italy and Hungary invaded and occupied Yugoslavia . Montenegro was captured by the Germans , who soon withdrew , leaving the Italians to occupy it . The Montenegrins quickly developed grievances against the Italians related to the expulsion of Montenegrins from Kosovo and Vojvodina , the influx of refugees from other parts of Yugoslavia , and those fleeing Ustaše terror in the regions along the borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina . The Montenegrins also had grievances against the Italian annexation of important food producing territory in Kosovo and a salt producing facility at Ulcinj to Albania , and the economic damage inflicted on many Montenegrins by the temporary removal of Yugoslav banknotes of 500 dinars and above from circulation . By the time of the invasion , Đurišić had been promoted to the rank of kapetan prve klase ( captain first class ) . 
