February 24, 1993. Dragišići – Crimes Against Captured Croatian Soldiers
The article recounts the massacre of Croatian soldiers captured in Dragišići village during the Croatian War of Independence.
On February 24, 1993, a tragic event occurred in Dragišići village, where Croatian defenders were brutally massacred after being captured by enemy forces. This attack came on the heels of significant losses suffered by Croatian troops in the Battle of Maslenica, which left their positions vulnerable due to poor weather conditions, insufficient equipment, and a lack of personnel. The 15th Home Guard Brigade was unable to repel the aggressive advancements of the SAO Krajina military units, who successfully encircled the defenders at a house entrance in Dragišići, leading to their capture.
The captured soldiers included ten brave men, such as Ante Alviž and Darko Kalpov, who were subjected to severe abuse as they were transported to a notorious prison in Knin. The defenders had resisted for approximately six hours, but eventually found themselves out of ammunition and unable to call for reinforcements, forcing them to surrender. The captors displayed extreme cruelty, stripping the soldiers of their clothing, binding them with wire, and inflicting continual physical violence as they forced them to march to Čista Mala.
The significance of this event lies in its reflection of the brutal realities of the Croatian War of Independence and the atrocities committed during this period. The history of the massacre at Dragišići serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Croatian soldiers and the enduring impacts of war on national consciousness in Croatia. The recognition of these events is crucial for understanding the complex narratives surrounding the conflict and an essential part of the collective memory of the Croatian nation.