brochure “Partizanski spomenik u Mostaru” (1980)
book “Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.”
another document or proof of the memorial stone (e.g., a photograph).
Branko M. KAJGO
BRANKO KAJGO, son of MILAN, born on January 27, 1924, in Zaton near Mostar (according to other sources, in Hodbina near Blagaj), was a farmer. He joined the People’s Liberation War and Partisan Detachments in April 1944, in the unit “Savo Belović”. He was a fighter in the 3rd Battalion of the 13th Brigade and was killed on August 2, 1944, during the three-day battles at Trusina and Hrgud against the “Vražjak” (Devil) legionnaires.
Regarding the battles in which Branko was killed, it is recorded:
“The passage of the legionnaires from Stolac to Bileća along an unguarded route was met with immediate action by German units, without any rest, launching them into new battles. They were prepared directly by General Vajks, the commander of Southeast, who arrived in Mostar at the beginning of August. The legionnaire forces were gathered, Chetnik commands were incentivized with new crates of ammunition and other promises, partially consolidated Domobran-Ustasha units, and by early August, the enemy began to concentrate their forces in Trebinje, bringing them from the Ljubuški-Vrgorac and Slano-Orašac regions. Around 700 German soldiers and several cannons arrived in Trebinje from these areas, along with around 200 motorized soldiers from Mostar. On August 2, 600 soldiers set off from the Biograd and Trusina sectors towards Hrgud and Stolac. They were greeted by the Scout Platoon of the 13th Brigade, and after a short battle, the scouts withdrew, and the two enemy columns spent the night in the wider area of Dabrica. The next day, the ‘Vražjaci,’ with artillery support, clashed with the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the 13th Brigade. The fight lasted the entire day. In the evening, they managed to break through to Hrgud but couldn’t hold the position there. The following day, pursued by the battalions, they were driven into Stolac, where they took the fallen and wounded, leaving two dead soldiers behind in the positions. In the battle at Hrgud, fighters Branko Kajgo, Luka Grbo, and Ljubo Samardžić were killed, while five fighters were wounded.”
*On the memorial plaque, correct the place of death to Hrgud (or the birthplace if it proves to be accurate).
Seferović, Mensur (1988): Trinaesta Hercegovačka NOU Brigada, Beograd; Komnenović, Danilo; Kreso, Muharem (1979): 29. hercegovačka divizija, IZ, Beograd ; grupa autora: Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.
Photo of the memorial plaque: S. Demirović.
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