Dalj marks 34th anniversary of 39 Croatian defenders' deaths

Dalj marked the 34th anniversary of the deaths of 39 Croatian defenders on Friday, with a message from Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Davor Božinović that it was one of the most tragic events at the beginning of the Homeland War, which showed that a people defending their country and home cannot be defeated.

The attack on the wider area of Dalj and Erdut and the breakthrough into Dalj were carried out on August 1, 1991 by units of the 51st Motorized Brigade of the Yugoslav People’s Army with attached territorial defense units.

The defenders rejected the ultimatum for unconditional surrender, so the unequal fight lasted until a tank shell hit the police station and completely destroyed it. The Croatian defenders who were not killed by the shell were murdered.

The commemoration began with the laying of wreaths and lighting of candles in front of the memorial, in the presence of family members of the deceased, brother in arms, representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense, local authorities and associations arising from the Homeland War.

Božinović: A people who defend their country, home, city, cannot be defeated

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Davor Božinović said that it was one of the most tragic and powerful events at the beginning of the Homeland War when 39 members of the Dalj Police Station, the National Guard Corps and civil protection were killed.

“The sacrifice of these people remained deeply rooted, not only in the people of this region, but in all of Croatia. This is the sacrifice of those who knew that no kind of help would come. They knew that they were alone, but they did not give up even in a situation that was hopeless. And that is why the message they sent is that a people who defend their country, who defend their home, who defend their city, cannot be defeated,” said Interior Minister Davor Božinović.

“Today we are proud here as leaders of institutions, but also grateful as people. The moral strength of our struggle, which had to result in victory in the Homeland War, which was achieved through the willpower of the Croatian people, through patriotism, was demonstrated here,” said Božinović.

He said that at the parade, everyone who wanted to could see how strong we are as a state, how strong all the security components are, how strong the Croatian Army is.

Asked about the prosecution of persons who participated in this crime, Božinović said that the institutions are doing their job in accordance with the law.

Although the Amnesty Act has become part of our legislation, there is no amnesty when it comes to war crimes.

“Any new information that can help us in this context is very welcome, but we know that those who know the most about it are the ones who keep the quietest,” said Božinović.

Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Nataša Tramišak emphasized that they are obliged to permanently preserve the memory of the Homeland War, of all the events in the Homeland War, especially remembering these dates from the beginning of the Greater Serbian aggression against Croatia.

“Difficult and too difficult. The youth died there. So many forces of the Yugoslav People’s Army to attack a police station and could not even conquer it for 4, 5, 6 hours, that is a humiliation for them,” said Josip Čičak, a police officer who survived the attack on the Dalj Police Station in 1991.

“We thank all the victims, we remember their most difficult moments and share these feelings with members of numerous associations, people who came to Dalj and we sympathize with their families,” said Interior Minister Davor Božinović.

Vulin: We should remember those who gave the most

“We must remember this day because a large number of Croatian veterans died here, including members of my family who were volunteers in the Homeland War. What we need, especially on this day, but always, is to remember those who gave the most, gave their lives, and not to allow these events to ever be forgotten, because that is what creates national consciousness, national pride, and this sacrifice, among all the others that unfortunately happened on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, but here too there was a great sacrifice on this day. 34 years ago, 39 Croatian defenders, members of the Croatian Police, the Croatian Army, or the National Guard Corps, members of the Civil Protection, gave their lives, and we must be eternally grateful to them for having the opportunity to stand here on this day, in this place,” said Dragan Vulin, Deputy Mayor of Osijek.

Source: HRT