Dalj Commemorates 35th Anniversary of Battle, Honoring 39 Fallen Defenders

Dalj, Croatia, marked the 35th anniversary of a pivotal and tragic event in the Croatian War of Independence, honoring 39 defenders who lost their lives defending the local police station. The fallen included 20 police officers, 15 members of the National Guard, and four Civil Protection members.

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It is our duty, year after year, to come to this place and bow to all those who gave the most valuable thing they had – their own lives for a free and independent Croatia.

On August 1, 1991, these defenders not only protected the police station but also the residents of Dalj, Aljmaš, and Erdut from an assault by the Yugoslav People's Army and associated Serb paramilitary forces. The commemoration began in Aljmaš with a wreath-laying ceremony and candle lighting at the Danube River, remembering the displaced residents who were evacuated to Osijek that day.

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Our country's foundations were laid in places like these.

A procession of war flags led to the Dalj Border Police Station, where numerous delegations laid wreaths and lit candles. "It is our duty, year after year, to come to this place and bow to all those who gave the most valuable thing they had – their own lives for a free and independent Croatia," stated Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović. He highlighted that the aggressor's attempt to deny Croats their own state became clear on the eastern front of Croatia.

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The aggressor tried to take away Croats' right to their own state, but it became clear precisely in the far east of Croatia that they would not succeed.

Defense Minister Ivan Anušić recalled the bravery of the defenders who, despite facing a numerically and technically superior enemy, refused to surrender. He noted that the battle concluded only when a tank projectile destroyed the police station, after which, he stated, "no one was spared" by the attacking forces. The commemoration also included a memorial race, "Dalj '91," where participants carried flags bearing the images of the fallen defenders, further honoring their sacrifice.

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The fight only ended when a tank projectile hit the police station and leveled it.