brochure “Partizanski spomenik u Mostaru” (1980)
book “Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.”
another document or proof of the memorial stone (e.g., a photograph).
Osman D. GREBO
OSMAN OSA (DERVIŠA) GREBO, born on January 1, 1922*, in Mostar, student at the Mostar Gymnasium, player of “Velež” football club, member of the Communist Youth League (SKOJ) since 1938 and the Communist Party of Yugoslavia (KPJ) since 1941, in the first group of volunteers from Mostar who joined the partisan detachment. In the Battalion since September 1941, youth leader of the squad, delegate of the platoon in the 3rd Battalion, survived the Chetnik coup in 1942. Killed as a result of German bombing near Miljevina on the Sutjeska river on June 13, 1943, as part of the 1st Battalion of the 10th Herzegovina Brigade. On the same occasion, Hamdija Brkić and his teacher and comrade Danilo Vukajlović were also killed. The book “Memorial of Mostar 1941-1945” states that he died in the Central Hospital in July 1943 in Bogovići, Romanija.
After the war, Osman’s name was recorded on a memorial plaque in the Mostar Gymnasium. The plaque disappeared without a trace during the war events of 1992-1995. A street in Mostar is named after Osman Grebo.
Excerpts from literature:
It is recorded that Osman performed in a cultural-artistic program in Mostar to collect “people’s aid”:
“(…) The ushers who assigned seating arrangements were also members of the Communist Youth League (SKOJ). The performers in the program were also SKOJ members, including Osman Grebo. After the performance, Osman told us about his feelings when he went on stage and saw the three of us sitting among the representatives of the official authorities. His first thought, he said, was whether he would have the opportunity to perform in front of representatives of his legitimate government. The proceeds from this event were intended for ‘People’s Aid.’”
During the Chetnik coup:
“The next day in Bjelimići, a squad led by the commissar of the detachment, Baruh, set off from Glavatičevo, greeted by the locals. On our side, calls for negotiations with the people of Bjelimići began. Baruh stood up behind cover at one point and with outstretched arms shouted, ‘Here, I am unarmed, send your representatives to talk!’ Grebo stood up alongside Baruh. Instead of an answer, rifles were raised. Baruh was fatally shot and died shortly after, but the bullet only grazed Grebo’s cap. A general firefight ensued, and our side withdrew after killing one person and injuring several Bjelimići residents. Baruh’s death marked the definitive break with the people of Bjelimići.”
Osman’s letter, which was kept in the Museum of Herzegovina:
“(…) Shortly before the fifth offensive, he received a letter (which he kept throughout the entire war and later handed over to the Museum of Herzegovina) from Osman Grebo Osa, a member of SKOJ, the Communist Youth League, and a battalion leader, informing him of his new responsibilities. ‘Dear Mitro, since I had to stay in the hospital due to illness, you need to take over the leadership of SKOJ in the battalion. Call a bureau meeting as soon as possible. At the bureau meeting, a report on the work and the overall state of the organization should be presented to you. Obtain a list of SKOJ members. The main task should be to replenish the organization with new young members. As you know, in the recent actions, almost half of the SKOJ members were removed from active duty, and a significant number of them deserted, so most of the activists, from 10 to 13 comrades, have dwindled to 3 or 4. Therefore, it is necessary to urgently address the issue of organization replenishment. You should intensify the theoretical work within and outside the organization with all the young members. Get to work urgently. Regards, Osa.’ SKOJ member Osa did not survive the fifth offensive (…)”
On their deaths:
“Our column of wounded arrived in Jabuca, and there we met nurse Ksena Zimović-Janković. On that day, when we escaped from Rata, she, along with others, experienced heavy bombing targeting our Tenth Herzegovinian Brigade. She told us about the casualties of many comrades. From one bombing, two Mostar residents, Niza Sarić and Hamdija Brkić, were killed. The bomb fatally wounded Danilo Vukajlović, taking both of his legs. Many comrades were seriously injured, including Osman-Osa Grebo. Nearby, the commander of the Seventh Banijska Brigade, Nina Maraković, also perished. Her storytelling saddened me, and it brought back memories of many events that led to these sacrifices. I remembered my friendship with Danilo and his departure to the Nevesinje region, to the partisans. I remembered the day and night battles and the fearless actions led by the youth of Mostar against the occupiers and their collaborators from the very first days of the occupation. Four Šarić brothers and four Brkić brothers had already fallen in this great heroic struggle. All the youth, to which Osa Grebo belonged. Together with them, their professor also perished, in the same place and for the same idea.”
Ćemalović, Enver (1986): Mostarski bataljon, Mostar; grupa autora (1986): Hercegovina u NOB 4. dio, Beograd ; https://poskok.info/mostarke-u-doba-okupacije-sloboda-nije-stigla-iz-bajke/; http://rsdvelezmostar.blogspot.com/p/fk-velez.html; grupa autora: Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.
Photo of the memorial plaque: S. Demirović.
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