history
It's Been 85 Years Since the Bombing of Belgrade: Major Žunjić, Pilots from "Ruska lira," and What We Still Remember Incorrectly
Belgrade, April 6, 1941 – a date that still echoes through the collective consciousness of the city. That morning, while most Belgraders were asleep, Nazi bombs began to destroy the city center and residential areas, leaving hundreds dead and homes ruined.
TL;DR
- The article reflects on the 85th anniversary of the 1941 bombing of Belgrade.
- Aleksandra Bogdanović, author of "Istorijski zabavnik," aims to connect readers with the human stories behind historical events.
- The book "Istorijski zabavnik – neispričane priče" focuses on events, including the 1941 bombing of Belgrade and the heroic pilots who defended it.
- Many pilots who defended Belgrade spent the night before the bombing in the kafana "Ruska lira" (later "Zora"), aware it might be their last.
- Pilot Miloš Žunjić, commander of the 102nd squadron, received the order to fly from the kafana and died defending Belgrade that morning.
- A myth is debunked that the bombing occurred on Orthodox Easter; Easter was on April 20th that year, though the Allies bombed Belgrade on Easter in 1944.
- Another myth is debunked about contemporary film footage of the bombing; existing footage is a combination of other bombings.
- Amateur filmmaker Radomir Milojković did record the consequences of the bombing after the Nazis entered the city.
- Bogdanović suggests that Belgrade schools should organize lectures and memorial visits every April 6th to better preserve the memory of those who died defending the city.
- A monument to the Fallen Defenders of Belgrade stands in Zemunski Kej, but often suffers vandalism, reflecting a poor attitude towards this part of history.