The 82nd anniversary of the killing of the villagers of Drugovac in the Second World War was marked today in Drugovac.
As a reminder, on 29 April 1944, Drugovac was attacked by Chetnik forces because Partisan fighters were staying in the village.
After a battle lasting several hours, the Partisans withdrew from the village, and the Chetniks then entered Drugovac and rounded up a large group of villagers, taking them to the so-called “Poljana” and to the churchyard, where they singled out groups of people from the lined-up crowd and then killed them.
With a commemoration, a memorial service and the laying of wreaths by numerous delegations at the monument at Poljana in Drugovac, tribute was paid today to the innocent victims.
On behalf of the local government, those present were addressed by Aleksandra Mijatović, Member of the City Council of the City of Smederevo, who said that the memory of the victims in Drugovac does not fade.
“We are here to say once again that their sacrifice was not in vain. Every rebuilt roof and every child running through the streets of Drugovac today is a victory of life over death and of light over the darkness of April 1944.
History teaches us through suffering, and it is our duty to pass these lessons on to younger generations. Freedom and peace are the greatest values we have as a people, and we must preserve them for future generations,” Aleksandra Mijatović said, among other things.
On the tragic day of 29 April 1944, 72 villagers were killed in Drugovac for supporting the Partisans, 120 houses were set on fire and 200 households were completely looted.
