Grandfather stories #2

Im writing down the stories my grandfather use to tell. He spent both wars in same area, and it was area where everyone slaughtered everyone. Diff ideologies, religions, leaders, politcal views - they were all just slaughtering eachother. Germans didnt had to come at all. We did it all without them.

So they all killed eachother, and grandpa is still alive, kicking and grinding. And telling stories. I would kick my self in head when i remember how i thought its boring, and didnt wrote many of them. Trying to fix that now. Its all in segments, because i cant make him talk, i can only poke him about it, and hope he will be in mood to talk.

He had such ‚‚luck", to be in WW2 as kid, and in our last civil war as oldman. If nothing, he had it all peaceful in between. He was extremely curious kid, stubborn, and always into pranks and troubles, aaaand... he is still pretty much the same. These are fragments of his stories.

..There we had two of prisoners, one name was Anton and other one has been called by his last name Miselov, they re caught in domobran uniforms, in a limousine on a main road. I didnt had much better status than 2 of them, i was chetnik family bastard, but they were still new, noone knew them so they were mostly cleaning and washing dishes and stuff. They claimed they areDomobraniand notUstase``. Many did that to escape trials, and death squads from partizan forces. Both of them were funny, and i was hanging around them while they were working in field kitchen. Both were sharing extra food with me. they had strong dalmatian accent.

One day partisans brought a wagon full of stuff. It was from Ustase outpost, and i think it was from small train station nearby. They retreated and left supplies. Weapons, food, ammo, chlothes, some boxes, all kind of stuff. There were personal boxes too, like they picked up personal things from sleeping rooms or such.

Food, ammo, weapons and uniforms were shared immediately, but all these books, personal hygiene things, note books and stuff was left so we all can take some of it. I was digging through some bag, when i found new leather folder full off handwritten letters and few photos.

i took it to my shed where i was sleeping. i thought to get rid of letters and photos and take the folder to keep my stuff in it.

but photos were really scarry. there were 5 of them, 3 were photos of groups of soldiers, one of them was infront of some big building which was in flames and smoke. On 4th photo there were soldiers holding a man, with knife under his throat, and there were corpses around them. Last photo was picture of 2 soldiers and one of them had newborn baby impaled on bayonette.

i was scared to death. it was close to end of war, but i only heard about such slaughters, never really seen any of it. i mean ive seen a lot of killed people, but couldnt imagine someone can do that to a baby.

i ran to Aleksa, partizan officer in charge, to show him pics. He gone all pale too, while looking at it. Then he cursed something told me to stay there and run out of his tent. I didnt knew whats going on, so i followed from far. He issued some orders to 2 soldiers, and headed to barn in the middle of camp. Thats where they had their meetings and ideology classes.

I was still following him.

he sat on chair, infront of doors, and soon 2 partisans brought Anton, prisoner, from kitchen.

i got even closer to hear their talk.

Aleksa asked him did he really been with domobrans, and Anton confirmed. Then Aleksa asked him for some proof, like photo. Anton said he dont have any. Then Aleksa took out photo i gave him and handed it over to Anton. Could this one help?.

I was behind Aleksa back. So i could see how Anton face changes colors, from red, green, to dead pale. He was trying to say something, but couldnt make a voice. Started crawling backward. Ive seen Aleksa reaching back and taking his knife out. He jumped on Anton and slit his throat. He was dying for more than 5 minutes. Aleksa was holding that photo with baby infront of his eyes, and yelling at him. I dont even know what, i was in such shock i couldnt move at all.

When he finally died, Aleksa told soldiers to throw the body, and to bring other prisoner. Then he seen me standing some 4,5 meters from them. He told me i shouldnt see that, and to get lost, he will come to talk to me later.

He recognized Anton on that pic. That day ive seen it again, and i dont know how i didnt recognize him immediately, it was obviously him. He had specific face, eyes, and too big nose. Guess i was in shock from what was on photo.

Aleksa never came to talk to me. He died less than month from that day, i dont know how. Only know he was demoted and been just common soldier after what he did. Photos were scheduled to be sent to command, but i dont know what happened to them. Ive seen many photos from war published, and some are even similar to these we found. But none of 5 pics that were sent to command later ive never seen again. I know, i was looking for it for long time.

Who knows, maybe they show up someday. Things like that cant get hidden forever. ``

photosources: jadovno.org, pressrs.ba, index.hr