Commemoration of Blago Zadro and Alfred Hill

The 26th anniversary of the tragic death of Major General Blago Zadro and of Major Alfred Hill was marked in Vukovar on 16 October 2017. The commemoration was attended by the Envoy of the President of the Republic Ante Deur, the Minister of Homeland War Veterans Tomo Medved

the Mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava, Brigadier General Željko Živanović as Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and of the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed General Mirko Šundov.

Numerous delegations laid wreaths at the tombs of the two legendary defenders at the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War in Vukovar, and the mass was recited in the Church of Gospa Fatimska. A commemorative ceremony was held near the monument of Blago Zadro at Trpinjska cesta and near the site of death.
The President’s Envoy Ante Deur said Croatia still needs the people who are aware of the moment and audacity and courage to support the homeland.

Brig Gen. Željko Živanović said Blago Zadro was the symbol of the defence of Vukovar.
“We must continue to serve our country as we did during the Homeland War and guard the memory of our heroes, the sacred duty of defending the country and the truth about its birth and its fundamental values”, said Brig.Gen. Živanović.

“Blago Zadro left a lasting example of courage, wisdom and will; he is a figure promoting the values of the Homeland War“, said the Mayor of Vukovar Ivan Penava.

The legendary commander of the the forces defending Trpinjska cesta – Major General Blago Zadro (1944 – 1991) was born in Herzegovina, moving to Vukovar (Borovo Naselje) at the age of 10. He worked in the well-known “Borovo“ footwear factory. When the towm came under aggression he became the competent and brave commander of Borovo naselje, and managed to halt the advance of JNA’ massive armoured forces (the legendary “ graveyard of tanks“ at Trpinjska cesta).

In honour to his contribution to the defence of Vukovar Blago Zadro was posthumously awarded the rank of major general.

Major Alfred Hill was the first commander of the Military Police Coy and lost life the same day as Maj. Gen. Zadro, defending the positions at Sajmište. The third Croatian victim that day – Zvonko Mlinarić, died trying to recover Blago Zadre in Kupska street in Vukovar.