"Both of them fell!" – A Moment That Entered History

"Oba su pala!" ("Both of them fell!") – these are the words that echoed near Rogoznica on September 21, 1991, and remained forever written in the memory of the Homeland War. The joyful cry of Filip Gaćina after the downing of two enemy aircraft was captured on film by Ivica Bilan. The footage became one of the most striking testimonies of the Battle of Šibenik and the bravery of Croatian defenders. Unfortunately, seven years later, in September 1998, Filip Gaćina lost his life while clearing a mined field.

A Powerful Moral Impact

In the history of modern warfare, photographs and film footage have become important witnesses to events. Among them, a special place is held by the recording made on the penultimate day of the Battle of Šibenik, September 21, 1991, near Rogoznica.

The downing of two aircraft in a single day had a powerful moral impact – not only on the defenders of Šibenik but also on Croatian defenders across the country and the entire Croatian public.

In addition to boosting the morale of the defenders, the downing of the aircraft marked an important turning point. Following these events, the aircraft of the Yugoslav Air Force could no longer fly unimpeded through Croatian skies.

Šibenik Under Air Attacks

In the early days of the attack on Šibenik, Yugoslav fighter jets from airbases in Pula, Zadar, and Mostar flew over Šibenik and its surroundings in large numbers.

Their targets were military, but also civilian objectives. Croatian defenders, members of the police and the National Guard Corps (ZNG), mostly possessed light infantry weapons and had almost no means to effectively counter the air attacks.

The situation changed on the second day of the Battle of Šibenik, when the military barracks in Rogoznica fell. The defenders then came into possession of heavier anti-aircraft weaponry.

From Helicopters to Jastrebs

Two days later, the first aerial casualty fell – a Gazelle helicopter was shot down near Oklaj. The following day, the first airplane, an N-60 Galeb, was brought down near Žirje.

Then, two J-21 Jastreb jets were shot down near Rogoznica. It was precisely this event that was captured in the footage that would become one of the most famous recordings of the Homeland War.

On the same day, cannons from Žirje shot down another enemy Gazelle helicopter.

On the final day of the Battle of Šibenik, once again near Žirje, a Yugoslav Galeb was downed.

A Recording That Remained Forever

During the Battle of Šibenik, the enemy lost two helicopters and four airplanes.

However, beyond the military events themselves, the recordings remained, preserving forever the moments of combat, emotions, and determination of the Croatian defenders.

Among them, a special place belongs to the one created on September 21, 1991. With his words "Oba su pala!", Filip Gaćina captured a moment of joy and relief following the success of the Croatian defenders, while Ivica Bilan used his camera to record a moment that became a symbol of the Battle of Šibenik.

The recordings from September 1991 remain a lasting reminder of the courage and skill of Croatian defenders, as well as a valuable visual record of one of the pivotal periods of the Homeland War.

Source: TV Kalendar

Translated by Branko Lozančić