65th anniversary of Syrmian Front breakthrough

The 65th anniversary of the breakthrough of the Syrmian Front (Sremski Front) was on Monday marked in Adasevci, northwestern Serbia. The ceremonies were held with Serbian government, state and military officials in attendance, as well as those from the countries whose troops participated in the battles, and WW2 veterans of the former Yugoslavia's wartime People's Liberation Army (NOVJ). 65th anniversary of Syrmian Front breakthrough Defense Minister Drtagan Sutanovac laid a wreath at the Syrmian Front Memorial complex on behalf of the government, pointing out that paying respect to the victims of the battle was "not merely a remembrance of an important historic event, but also a way in which the country proves that it observes the fundamental principles the world of today rests upon". Sutanovac said that "the Serbian army" fought not only for the liberation of its territory, but also for the victory of the allied forces against the enemy who had occupied almost the entire Europe. He stressed that the fight was characterized by patriotism and a desire to create a society based on the principles of freedom, independence, equality, and above all, the respect of human rights and sovereignty. According to him, Serbia substantially contributed to the final victory and thus incorporated itself in the very foundations of the contemporary and modern Europe. He said that the democratic Serbia wants to put wars and destruction behind itself, and to establish such a civil society that will respect human rights, freedoms and the rule of law. Sutanovac underscored that Serbia cherishes the memory of all innocent victims and soldiers who gave their lives for freedom, and thereby contributes to the building of a society that rests on the foundations of the values and ideals honored by its great ancestors. The marking of the anniversary was also attended, among others, by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic. The hard-fought battles of the Srem Front took 175 days in all, from October 1944 until April 12, 1945, and about 250,000 soldiers participated on both sides. The towns of Vinkovci and Zupanja in Croatia were liberated after the day-long battles, and the Srem Front was broken through along its entire depth, with the way toward Slavonski Brod and Zagreb open. The Srem Front was established after the final battles for the liberation of Belgrade and the entire country in the World War II had started. The battle line was formed along Srem’s western borders. The Nazi German troops were holding the front in a bid to extract a part of their army from Greece, Macedonia, and Kosovo, were set to defend it at all costs. About 13,000 NOVJ soldiers died during the trench battles, but the exact number has never been determined. The Russian Red Army lost 1,100 soldiers, Bulgarian National Army 623, and Brigade Italy 163, while the enemy lost about 30,000 troops. The Syrmian Front memorial site today (Tanjug)

65th anniversary of Syrmian Front breakthrough

Defense Minister Drtagan Šutanovac laid a wreath at the Syrmian Front Memorial complex on behalf of the government, pointing out that paying respect to the victims of the battle was "not merely a remembrance of an important historic event, but also a way in which the country proves that it observes the fundamental principles the world of today rests upon".

Šutanovac said that "the Serbian army" fought not only for the liberation of its territory, but also for the victory of the allied forces against the enemy who had occupied almost the entire Europe.

He stressed that the fight was characterized by patriotism and a desire to create a society based on the principles of freedom, independence, equality, and above all, the respect of human rights and sovereignty.

According to him, Serbia substantially contributed to the final victory and thus incorporated itself in the very foundations of the contemporary and modern Europe.

He said that the democratic Serbia wants to put wars and destruction behind itself, and to establish such a civil society that will respect human rights, freedoms and the rule of law.

Šutanovac underscored that Serbia cherishes the memory of all innocent victims and soldiers who gave their lives for freedom, and thereby contributes to the building of a society that rests on the foundations of the values and ideals honored by its great ancestors.

The marking of the anniversary was also attended, among others, by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić.

The hard-fought battles of the Srem Front took 175 days in all, from October 1944 until April 12, 1945, and about 250,000 soldiers participated on both sides.

The towns of Vinkovci and Županja in Croatia were liberated after the day-long battles, and the Srem Front was broken through along its entire depth, with the way toward Slavonski Brod and Zagreb open.

The Srem Front was established after the final battles for the liberation of Belgrade and the entire country in the World War II had started. The battle line was formed along Srem’s western borders.

The Nazi German troops were holding the front in a bid to extract a part of their army from Greece, Macedonia, and Kosovo, were set to defend it at all costs.

About 13,000 NOVJ soldiers died during the trench battles, but the exact number has never been determined.

The Russian Red Army lost 1,100 soldiers, Bulgarian National Army 623, and Brigade Italy 163, while the enemy lost about 30,000 troops.