The occupier was usually not satisfied with just the investigations carried out after each partisan action, as they did not yield the desired results. However, since he could not find the culprits, he took other measures: conducting sudden raids, searching suspicious houses down to their foundations; blocking parts of villages and fields, and searching barns, sheds, and huts; setting ambushes on main approaches to the village; randomly arresting villagers, mistreating, beating, and torturing them in various ways. He also took many other measures, particularly trying to establish a dense and secure intelligence network within the movement by encouraging wavering individuals and traitors to provoke, denounce, and betray others.
As seen, the occupiers in 1941 were already taking very serious measures against the National Liberation Movement, convinced of its seriousness, extent, and threat to the German order in this part of Yugoslavia. As part of these measures, in early August 1941, the German police suddenly surrounded the farm of Lazar Pajić (commander of the Dragutinovac partisan detachment) in Galad, hoping to capture activists who, according to their information, frequently met there.
The attack on this farm was planned in utmost secrecy. The fascists approached very quietly, cautiously, and covertly so that no one in the vicinity noticed them. The surprise was great, especially for the household members, among whom was Lazar Pajić himself. The fascists were spotted only very close to the house, so there was almost no opportunity to escape into the nearby cornfields. However, the partisan commander did not resign to this situation. At the last moment, he remembered an opening at the back of the barn through which manure was thrown out. He crawled into the barn and out through the opening, then crawled through thick and tall pumpkin vines that were growing on the manure pile, making his way to the nearby corn. It wasn’t until he had moved deeper into the cornfield that the Germans spotted him and opened fire, but it was too late – he was already far away. Thus, thanks to his quick thinking and bravery, Lazar escaped from the enemy right under their noses.
Realizing their failure, the fascists decided to retaliate for the partisan "misdeeds" by burning down the farm. They also had other reasons for this action.
Namely, Galad and its surroundings had become a hotspot for the fighting between Dragutinovci and Beodrani. This area had several farms, which, along with dense and expansive cornfields, provided a safe haven for the people's fighters – the partisans. These were known as partisan bases. Meetings for agreements were held here; they served as a connection with the village and other surrounding areas, and they were also a crucial supply source for partisan fighters, especially for food if regular supply lines from the village were cut off.
Most often, these farms were the sites of meetings between the leaders of the local resistance movements, where the entire combat activity against the enemy was coordinated. One such important partisan farm was Lazar Pajić’s. Hidden by fruit trees, vineyards, corn, and reeds, it allowed undetected access, which was crucial as some meetings, agreements, and connections could even take place during the day.
After Lazar went into hiding, this farm became the main base, an important meeting place for partisan fighters and local activists. Many important decisions were made here, including the one related to the first armed action against the enemy on August 2, 1941.
It is certain that the fascists were somewhat informed about the activities of the partisans around this farm, and since they had failed to capture any active partisans alive, they decided to burn it down. With the help of a large quantity of dry straw piled in the attic, the farm quickly caught fire. Eyewitnesses report that the fascists, in a frenzied manner, accompanied the burning of the farm with shouting, cursing, and gunfire, which could be heard as far as the village.
Before sunset, the police left the field, leaving behind the charred remains of the partisan base, probably convinced that this action would scare the population and its fighters. However, to their dismay, the subsequent events shattered this belief.
That day, Lazar’s entire family was arrested. The police applied pressure on them to betray Lazar and his comrades. But all was in vain, and the fascists soon released them from prison.
The events surrounding this partisan base, especially its burning, signaled the fascist police’s determination to take harsh and merciless measures against everything related to the National Liberation Movement, ranging from standard police methods to brutal, sadistic, inquisitorial, and criminal acts.
Naturally, the people knew the nature of the enemy they faced, so they adjusted their organization and activities accordingly.
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