FAQ

The most commonly asked questions about the Partisan Memorial Cemetery

In this section, we list the most frequently asked questions we currently receive regarding partizansko.info. This page, like the website itself, is constantly changing, depending on our progress in collecting data. Do you have a question that is not on the list, or a better answer to an existing question? Write to us.

Is the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar a national monument? When was it declared a national monument?

The Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar was declared a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments during a session held from January 19th to 23rd, 2006. You can read more about the Commission’s decision here (in BSC).
How many memorial plaques are there at the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar? How did you arrive at that number?

The exact number of memorial plaques is rather hard to establish. To our knowledge, there is no complete list with all the names. It is especially difficult to determine the exact number of memorial plaques due to destruction the memorial cemetery has been subjected to in recent decades. In relevant literature, there is mention of anywhere between 630 to 810 memorial plaques in total.

Major sources of the names of fallen fighters overlap in the number of names, but not entirely. Currently, three most relevant and reliable sources of names of fallen fighters include: two sources lists of fallen fighters from the 1980s and photographs of renewed plaques from 2018.

In the brochure “Partizanski spomenik u Mostaru” from 1980, it is stated that “this list is not final because data processing is ongoing for other participants in the National Liberation War.” The book “Spomenica Mostara” was published a few years later but did not list all the names from the previous source and it listed a number of new names (in the “Fallen Fighters” chapter).

Methodology of Collection (three main sources)

Currently, by using a comparison method, and based on the combination of these three sources, we have identified 718 unique names of fallen fighters.

Conclusions:

Names of 560 fighters are common to all three sources. It is also highly likely that there was another, third list, with names of fallen fighters.

The fact that the first list from 1980 (“Partizanski spomenik u Mostaru) was not complete is evidenced by 26 memorial plaques from the “Spomenica Mostara”.

65 names appear only in the “Spomenica Mostara” and were not on the list from 1980. It is not entirely clear whether their plaques ever existed, however, we believe that there was at least an intention to make them at some point. This is confirmed by 17 names from the “Spomenica Mostara” that were not on the original 1980 list but actually did have memorial plaques made for them.

The existence of another list is best confirmed by seven memorial plaques from 2018 that were not on either of the two mentioned lists.

The case of the “missing” fallen fighter Luke Cvitković, who was not on either list and did not have a new plaque in 2018, is interesting. Yet, it is certain that he did previously had a memorial plaque. Fortunately, the family has preserved a picture of the older memorial plaque, which is undeniable evidence.

On each fighter’s page, we have indicated in which of these sources their name is mentioned.

If you have new or different information on this matter, please inform us through the Contact page.
Why does the website partizansko.info state "revised inscription" on the pages of some fallen fighters?

While we worked on biographies, we have noticed that approximately 155 (20-25%) inscriptions on memorial plaques differ from the short biographies in “Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.” Sometimes, the inscriptions also contained obvious errors.

We believe that the inscriptions for the earlier plaques during the construction in 1965 were perhaps not entirely or were only partially verified, since data for many fighters were still being collected at that time. By the mid-80s, when “Spomenica” was published, there were more opportunities for detailed documentation checks. The editorial team for “Spomenica” (Fallen Fighters chapter) consisted of significant experts, including Gojko Uljarević, Mr. Nebojša Milivojević, Refik Hamzić, Karlo Drago Miletić, Boško Buha, and Drago Marić, leaving little doubt about the credibility of the data provided.

To illustrate the above mentioned, we provide several examples of the data missing in 1965 but can easily be traced since:

– Previous inscription: Evald S. ERLIH (???? ???? – ???? ????) / Proposed new inscription: Evald S. Erlih (1915. Brno – 1944. Drežnik). This information is now available from multiple sources.

Examples of the most obvious errors include:

– Previous inscription: Radojka R. GNJATIĆ-IVANIŠEVIĆ (1918. Mostar – 1944. Ovojci) / Proposed new inscription: Radojka R. GNJATIĆ-IVANIŠEVIĆ (1918. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci). Reason for revision: The raid and execution at Ovojci (after the Battle of Sutjeska), took place in the summer of 1943. This is confirmed by numerous sources, as well as dates of death of other fighters executed at the same time at Ovojci.

Most revisions are of a “lighter” nature, such as a different father’s initial or year of birth:

– Previous inscription: Esad S. ČERKIĆ (1926. Mostar – 1944. Zagreb) / Proposed new inscription: Esad Š. ČERKIĆ (1926. Mostar – 1944. Zagreb). Reason for revision: According to “Spomenica” and family testimony, the father’s name is Šaćir.

Some cases remain unresolved, and there is no suggestion for revising the inscriptions. Examples:

Zlatka Vuković, Ahmet Sefić, Dejan and Vera Popović – sources disagree on whether they were shot at Ovojci or behind the Old Gymnasium in Mostar.

Many Mostar Serbs killed in 1941 – it remains unclear whether they were killed in Mostar or taken to Jadovno/Gospić and killed there.

Hajrija Bašagić, sister of fallen fighter Muhidin Bašagić – sources disagree on whether she was shot at Ovojci in 1943, alongside her brother Muhidin, or taken to Jasenovac and killed (the latter according to the JUSP Jasenovac website).

If you have noticed an error in the previous inscription or the proposed inscription, please inform us.
How many biographies are on the website? What sources were used for writing the biographies?

Currently, on the partizansko.info website, there are 718 names of fallen fighters from Mostar and its surroundings, and there are slightly fewer biographies. For the vast majority, we have found corresponding biographies or references to them in the literature.

The sources used are listed on this page. In the majority of cases, these are short biographies from books such as “Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945” (the first part of the book, the “Fallen Fighters” chapter), “Mostarski bataljon” by E. Ćemalović, and the four volumes of “Hercegovina u NOB-u,” as well as data from numerous other books and sources, especially Mensur Seferović’s books, or other sources, as indicated on each fighter’s page. We have strived to faithfully convey the information from the mentioned sources; however, if you have noticed any incorrect or missing details, please inform us through the Contact page or the “write to us” link on each fighter’s page.

For this reason, some biographies are more extensively researched than others. For some fighters, we have very limited data that comes exclusively from the “Spomenica,” while for others, we have found more information from multiple sources. With certain fighters, about whom there has been extensive writing in the past, such as national heroes, we have the most data. Unfortunately, there is also a certain number of fighters without biographies, for whom everything is unknown except for the information on the plaques.

In addition to the aforementioned sources, numerous organizations, individuals, and museums have provided us with data. Among them, JUSP Jasenovac, the Aeronautical Museum in Belgrade, CIDOM, IDEAA Mostar, and many others stand out.

For many fighters, family members have contacted us, and we have included their comments in the biographies. It is very important that you also share your family stories! Feel free to send us data and photos through the fallen fighter’s page or the Contact page.
Has anyone been buried at the Partizansko Spomen-groblje (Partisan Memorial Cemetery)?
The short answer to this question is YES.

The entire upper part of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery is a burial ground. Graves are located across the terraces and within the memorial ossuary.

There were two methods of burying fallen fighters whose remains were found after the war*:

On the terraces, beneath the memorial plaques, lie the remains of fighters whose identities were confirmed beyond doubt. Beneath each memorial plaque is a concrete box measuring 40x40x40 cm, either empty or full, but placed for every fighter (in hope that remains could one day be found). Just over 100 fighters fall into this category.

In the collective memorial ossuary, at the site where wreaths are laid. This is where the remains of fighters from Mostar were placed, especially from group deaths where it was not possible to determine individual identities—although the names of the fallen were known. According to our knowledge, this applies to over 200 fighters.

The above is in line with the principles for building Partisan cemeteries during the socialist period in Yugoslavia.* While we continue to search for original documentation, multiple sources support this account, including Bogdan’s own writings* (where he refers to “terraces that bear graves and cenotaphs”—a cenotaph being a symbolic grave, i.e. one without remains), as well as reports in the old press (particularly articles in Mostar’s Sloboda), and the testimony of Radmilo Braco Andrić**, former mayor of Mostar, collaborator of architect Bogdan Bogdanović, and a great connoisseur of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery, as well as members of certain families of the fallen fighters who have knowledge of burials at the site***.

Similar statements appear in a quote from the Commission for the Preservation of Monuments, according to the testimony of the construction supervisor Ahmet Ribica. Although different figures are sometimes mentioned, the underlying principle remains the same: http://old.kons.gov.ba/main.php?id_struct=6&lang=1&action=view&id=2778

“The monument construction project envisioned 810 burial sites, but only 560 remains of fallen fighters were collected, including 8 national heroes. Their remains were placed in concrete chambers measuring 60x40x50 cm, under the grave markers, while the bones from mass graves were placed in the memorial ossuary in a semicircular niche where wreaths are laid (6). There are 630 tombstones on the memorial cemetery, which were replaced with new ones made of ‘tenelija’ stone of the same shape and inscription in 2004, with the consent of the author. (6) Source of information: Mr. Ahmet Ribica, Civil Engineer – construction manager.”

Sources:

*VAM Center, Belgrade. ** Statements by Braca Andrić, including: “It is a Partisan memorial cemetery, because it is not an ordinary monument—there are also the remains of a large number of fallen partisans” (from this video , at 49 seconds). See also the publication “Mostarska Hurqualya”, p. 19. Statements from family members of Salko Šestić and Branko Kosjerina about their burial at the Partisan Memorial Cemetery.
What criteria were used to bury fallen fighters at the Partizansko Spomen-groblje (Partisan Memorial Cemetery) in Mostar in 1965?

The answer to this question can be found in an article from 1964:

“According to the decision (of the Municipal Assembly, note) the mortal remains of those individuals who lived in Mostar before May 15, 1945, and lost their lives by that time will be buried in the cemetery. This includes members of the People’s Liberation Army (NOVJ), Yugoslav Army (JA), those actively involved in the National Liberation War (NOB), and those who were captured or arrested while fighting and performing tasks of the People’s Liberation Movement (NOP), as well as those who found themselves in prison or internment camps. Additionally, the remains of fighters who served in military armed formations of the anti-fascist movement and fought in other countries, as well as those who fought in Allied forces after July 4, 1941, will also be buried. The decision specifies in detail how and in what way the transfer of the fighters’ mortal remains will be carried out…” (Mostarska hronika, 1964, No. 50)
Who is buried at the Partizansko Spomen-groblje (Partisan Memorial Cemetery) in Mostar? How many are buried here?

Since the original documentation is unavailable, it is difficult to determine the exact number of those buried with certainty.

According to data held by the VAM Center in Belgrade—based on historical literature and press, as well as statements from Bogdan Bogdanović, Radmilo Braco Andrić, and others—it involves at least over 300 fighters. There is also a quote from the Commission for the Preservation of Monuments which mentions ‘560 remains of fallen fighters, including 8 People’s Heroes.’

Radmilo Braca Andrić, mayor of Mostar from 1969 to 1974 and later part of the commission for the reconstruction of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery, in a video interview (around the 2nd minute) mentions the remains of over 200 fighters: “somewhere around 200 and something are in the common ossuary there where wreaths are laid. These are the remains of partisans who died mostly in the Chetnik coup.”

An article published in the newspaper “Sloboda” during the opening of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery in September 1965, mentions that there were “common graves of fighters who died in Dramiševo, Kamena, Glavatičevo – Bjelimići, and Ovojci”. This would match the above statement by Braco Andrić.

There is also a quote from the Monument Preservation Commission which mentions “560 remains of fallen fighters, including 8 national heroes.”

The following fallen fighters were killed in those locations by Ustashe &/or during the Chetnik coup:

Aleksandar M. ALAGIĆ (1923. Gospić – 1943. Bijela), Hivzija M. BRKIĆ (1919. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Hasan A. BUBIĆ (1914. Mostar – 1943. Bijela), Remzija S. ĆIŠIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Ibro I. DIZDAREVIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Šefko H. DUGALIĆ (1920. Mostar – 1943. Bijela), Milan V. IVETIĆ (1909. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Risto S. KANDIĆ (1903. Prigrađani – 1942. Bijela), Milorad B. PIKULA (1924. Mostar – 1943. Bijela), Mehmed S. ŠAPUH (1922. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Elefif S. ŠARAN (1921. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Stjepan S. ŠULENTIĆ (1914. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Muhamed O. TASLAMAN (1920. Mostar – 1942. Bijela), Mehmed D. ZALIHIĆ (1888. Mostar – 1942. Bijela)

Ante A. ZUANIĆ (1924. Rogatica – 1942. Bjelimići)

Risto V. MILIĆEVIĆ (1921. Mostar – 1942. Zvijerina), Bisera M. SALAHOVIĆ (1924. Trebinje – 1942. Zvijerina)

Abdulah S. DIZDAREVIĆ (1906. Ljubuški – 1942. Dramiševo), Ibrahim A. DŽAFEROVIĆ (1920. Gacko – 1942. Dramiševo), Muhamed M. HADŽIOMEROVIĆ (1918. Mostar – 1942. Dramiševo), Mustafa M. KRESO (1914. Mostar – 1943. Dramiševo), Pero V. LAŽETIĆ (1921. Mostar – 1942. Dramiševo), Mustafa M. REPAK (1920. Mostar – 1942. Dramiševo), Hidajet H. ŠARIĆ (1924. Mostar – 1942. Dramiševo), Salko M. ŠEHOVIĆ (1917. Mostar – 1942. Dramiševo)

Mladen D. BALORDA, narodni heroj (1921. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Ljubo B. BREŠAN, narodni heroj (1913. Dubrovnik – 1943. Ovojci), Šaćir I. ČELEBIĆ (1922. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Džemal S. DELIĆ (1921. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Muzafer H. DERONJA (1924. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Hamdija S. DIZDAREVIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Ibrahim H. ĐUKIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Omer H. ĐUKIĆ (1925. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Abduselam M. ELEZOVIĆ (1924. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Radojka R. GNJATIĆ-IVANIŠEVIĆ (1918. Mostar – 1944. Ovojci), Anđelko E. GOATTI (1893. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Ćamil M. HADŽAJLIĆ (1907. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Meho I. HUSKOVIĆ (1905. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Smajo M. IBRULJ (1922. Ljubuški – 1943. Ovojci), Đorđo D. JANJALIJA (1919. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Pero D. JANJALIJA (1913. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Smajil A. JUGO (1919. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Ibro M. KAZAZIĆ (1913. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Nafik S. KAZAZIĆ (1921. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Šefkija M. KOMADINA (1907. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Mirko P. KONJEVOD (1924. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Jusuf J. MALKOČ (1906. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Krunoslav R. MILIĆEVIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Osman A. NOŽIĆ (1924. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Mehmed M. PALA (1921. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Avdija M. PAVLOVIĆ (1902. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Teofik A. PUZIĆ (1914. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Halid H. SADIKOVIĆ (1918. Ljubuški – 1943. Ovojci), Alija H. SALKOVIĆ (1913. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Ahmet A. SEFIĆ (1918. Mostar – 1941. Ovojci), Muhamed H. ŠIŠIRAK (1920. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Zijad H. VRGORA (1926. Mostar – 1943. Ovojci), Slobodan G. VUKOVIĆ (1919. Mostar – 1941. Ovojci), Zlatka VUKOVIĆ (1893. Mostar – 1941. Ovojci)

Muhamed O. HOJLAŠ (1921. Mostar – 1942. Česim), Branko V. KOSJERINA (1907. Trebinje – 1942. Česim)

Džemal O. DRAGNIĆ (1920. Mostar – 1941. Glavatičevo), Nedžad H. HAĆAM (1920. Lukavac – 1942. Glavatičevo), Mujo I. HUBANA (1916. Humilišani – 1942. Glavatičevo), Suzana Š. LAKATOŠ (1922. Novi Sad – 1942. Glavatičevo), Miloš R. RACO (1913. Mostar – 1942. Glavatičevo), Vasko P. VUKIČEVIĆ (1923. Mostar – 1944. Glavatičevo)

Among national heroes:

Dr. Safet Mujić – a copy of a document from 1966 states that his mortal remains were transferred to Partisan Memorial (source: spomeniciNOB.info), Ljubo Brešan, Jusuf Čevro, Mustafa Ćemalović, Rifat Frenjo, Ahmet Pintul, Hasan Zahirović Laca.

Other fallen fighters buried here include: Muhidin Bašagić, Salko Šestić, Alija Rizikalo, Drago Palavestra. There are statements from individuals about their family members being transferred to the memorial ossuary – see Šestić and Kosjerina.

The list is not exhaustive and may be often updated.
Who is NOT buried at the Partizansko Spomen-groblje (Partisan Memorial Cemetery) in Mostar?

According to our knowledge, the following fighters are not buried at the Partisan Memorial Cemetery: those who died at Sutjeska (their remains were left in the collective memorial ossuary at Tjentište), victims of concentration camps who were never found, and other individuals who were likewise never recovered—for example, those who went missing in action (Franjo Intihar), were not buried there. Additionally, there are explicit statements in some sources that a particular fallen fighter was not buried there, including national hero Adem Buć, Mile Miletić, Zvonko Miletić, Fadil Bilal, Salih Islamović, and others.

In some cases, the previous graves remained even after the transfer of remains. An example is Dr. Safet Mujić, whose original grave site appears to still exist, even though his remains were transferred to Partizansko and reburied.
Were fallen fighters buried beneath their memorial plaques?

That would appear to be the case of national heroes only. The rest are placed in an ossuary. According to a quote from the Commission for the Preservation of Monuments:

http://old.kons.gov.ba/main.php?id_struct=6&lang=1&action=view&id=2778

“… the remains of national heroes were placed in concrete chambers measuring 60x40x50 cm beneath the grave markers, while the bones from communal graves were placed in a memorial ossuary in a semicircular niche where wreaths are laid.”
How many photos of fallen fighters have you collected so far?

As of October, 2024, we had 246 fighter photos, which is about 34% of all fallen fighters on the partizansko.info website. Therefore, we need your help in collecting more. Perhaps you have family photos or can recognize family members in pre-war or wartime group photos.

There was an attempt in the 1960s to collect photos from the families of fallen fighters. This resulted in an exhibition documented by Mensur Seferović (see the image below). The photos were kept in the Revolution Archive in Mostar, which suffered considerable damage in the recent war. It appears that photos can no longer be found.

*In Mensur Seferović’s book “Battalion in an Occupied City,” it is mentioned that there was once an exhibition with photos of the fallen fighters of the Mostar Battalion at the local museum in Mostar.

The same photos were published in the brochure “Partisan Monument in Mostar 1980,” but unfortunately, it seems that they are not arranged alphabetically. Also, there are fewer photos in the brochure than names. Because of this, the identities of the individuals in the pictures, with some exceptions, remain a mystery. If you can recognize anyone, please inform us through the Contact page.
We believe that there is a missing fallen fighter not yet included on the partizansko.info website. How can they be added?

The best way to add a fallen fighter is to provide evidence, such as a photograph of the memorial plaque, especially if the fallen fighter is not listed in any of aforementioned sources. This was the case with fallen fighter Luke Cvitković.

Be sure to inform the agency responsible for the renovation of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery: Agencija Stari grad Mostar: https://www.asgmo.ba/
We would like to correct some information in a given fighter's biography. How can we do that?
Can the information about fallen fighters be changed on Partizansko.info?
Who maintains Partizansko.info? Is it a government organization or an initiative?

Partizansko.info was initiated by citizens and friends of the Partisan Memorial Cemetery with the aim of preserving the memory of fallen fighters. It is not a formal or government organization. In collecting content for this website, we received assistance from numerous partners, with notable contributions from CIDOM, IDEAA, JUSP Jasenovac, the Aeronautical Museum in Belgrade, collaborators from the Center for War and Peace Studies in Norway, as well as many other organizations and individuals such as yourselves.