Junaci Domovinskog rata #13

The thirteenth book in the extensive and highly regarded monographic series “Heroes of the Homeland War” by Davor Runtić brings a deep, poignant and extremely multifaceted insight into the human destinies and dramatic circumstances that marked the beginning of the Serbian aggression against the Republic of Croatia. This volume stands out with its special thematic focus on the less researched, but extremely complex twists and turns brought about by the beginning of the war in 1991, combining personal testimonies with historical documentation.

The central and specific part of the book consists of the touching and unusual stories of Marijan, Anđelko and Dink. Through their destinies, the author illuminates the tragedy of individuals who, due to a combination of historical circumstances, serving regular military service in the JNA or being caught in mixed environments, found themselves “on the other side” at the very beginning of the war. Their testimonies speak of difficult decisions, dramatic escapes, moral dilemmas and the final switch to the side of defending their homeland, with which Runtić gives a special human and psychological dimension to the events of the war.

In addition to these extraordinary war journeys, the book documents in detail the biographies, combat paths and sacrifices of a number of prominent Croatian defenders and patriots. It thoroughly covers the fates of Đuro Kokošarević, Jakob Asić, Dragutin Guzovski, Hrvoje Tilić, Pero Perić, Stjepan Šijaković and Željko Kušić. The author also brings poignant accounts of warriors such as Zdenko Mujkić, Siniša Keser, Damir Gunčević - Daca, Davor Mihaljević and Ivan Blažević - Brzo, whose courage and selflessness left a lasting mark on the front lines.

Through authentic narration and a documentary approach, Davor Runtić manages to bring back from oblivion not only classic heroic feats, but also extremely difficult individual destinies. The book represents an invaluable historical source that bears dignified and unvarnished testimony to the price of freedom, the complexity of wartime, and the indomitable spirit of the defenders of the Homeland War.