Mostar liberated 73 years ago

MOSTAR, (Patria) - On this day in 1945, around noon, the first units of the 26th Dalmatian Division broke through to Mostar. Somewhat later, the 19th Dalmatian and the 29th Herzegovina Division also broke through to the city, and by around 7 p.m., almost all German and Ustasha forces had fled from Mostar.

Around 8 p.m., Adolf Hitler, the supreme commander of German forces, who at that time had to personally approve every withdrawal, admitted defeat and issued an order for the withdrawal of the shattered army. On 14 February 1945 at 8 p.m., the city of Mostar was free.

During World War II, Mostar paid dearly for its freedom. The city gave 750 fallen soldiers, 1,517 victims of fascist, Chetnik and Ustasha terror, meaning that every eighth resident of the city did not live to see freedom. The city had its own battalion, an illegal printing press, produced 14 national heroes and seven hanged patriots.