In the organization of Association of Union of Antifascists and veterans of the People’s Liberation War (SABNOR) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Association of Antifascists and veterans of the People’s Liberation War (UABNOR) Jablanica, the Society “Josip Broz Tito” from Jablanica, the Municipality of Jablanica, as well as the Museum “Battle for the Wounded on the Neretva”, the 78th anniversary of the Battle for the Wounded was marked, which was also one of the most humane battles in the history of warfare.
Nijaz Skenderagic spoke about the importance of this battle, emphasizing the vision of Josip Broz Tito, who managed to save 4.000 wounded with his orders.
“Nowadays, in peacetime, politicians are not able to vaccinate citizens. And that is a comparison that causes fear and admiration for visionaries like Tito. Today, many do not like what was done during the period when he ruled the former Yugoslavia. They are not able to paint what Tito and the communists did and that is why it bothers them, that is why they belittle him. They have nothing to show as he did during the rule. We had a war that ended in 1945, then the aggression on BiH that began in 1992, so today we can draw a parallel to how much was done 26 years after the aggression, and how much Tito did in the former country 26 years after the war – it cannot be compared,” Skenderagic told.
UABNOR BiH President, Sead Djulic, said that the place where the gathering was organized yesterday was the place where a commander-in-chief of an army, in a practically hopeless situation, made a move that no one had ever made before or after the war. It was not an order to the soldiers, but a man’s order to the human beings.
“It stated – We must not leave the wounded, even though rescuing the wounded could mean the liquidation of all these people. That willingness to sacrifice in order to save a friend, comrade or fellow soldier is something we don’t get to see nowadays. Today, we are not only here to talk about 1943, but we are also here to remind of the decisions from which one can still learn today “, said Djulic yesterday.
He also stated with regret that today, 78 years after, neo-fascism is flourishing around us.
“It can be found in all structures of our country, from the Presidency of the state to local communities. There, hatred is being created towards the homeland, towards anything different, although it would be interesting to hear what they consider different if we all inherit the same tradition and the same heritage. We are here to warn and remind young citizens to learn to recognize neo-fascism. No, we are not fighting Tito’s battles, they ended in 1945, today we are fighting new battles against neo-fascism but by some other methods. We are looking at 2043, inspired by 1943 “, added Djulic.
Sead Klicic arrived in Jablanica yesterday from Cazin. He came to mark the “Neretva” in the past years, with the exception of the last one, when he was prevented by restrictions related to the pandemic of coronavirus.
“We came to tell politicians that they can’t go on like this. Their behavior and attitude towards anti-fascism are not good. They should be left-wing politicians or disappear from the scene. It is useless for them to say they are leftists, when in fact they are far-right at the same time, ” stated Klicic.
Due to the danger of the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic, the traditional solemn academy was not organized this time.
The Battle for the Wounded, also known in the literature as the Fourth Enemy Offensive, began on January 20th, 1943 in the area of the then Independent State of Croatia (NDH). The offensive, codenamed Fall Weiss, was a strategic plan to perform a final blow to the partisan movement with a joint attack by Axis forces. It lasted until April 1st, 1943. The Battle for the Wounded was in fact a battle to save more than 4.000 wounded, and dozens of women and children led and won by partisan units. Based on the true events, the cult film “Battle of Neretva” was made, directed by Veljko Bulajic, BHRT writes.
E.Dz.
