brochure “Partizanski spomenik u Mostaru” (1980)
book “Spomenica Mostara 1941-1945.”
another document or proof of the memorial stone (e.g., a photograph).
Veljko D. KUZMAN
VELIMIR VELJKO KUZMAN, son of DANILO, born on December 29, 1924, in Pijesak near Mostar. A sales assistant. He joined the National Liberation Army and Partisans’ Detachments of Yugoslavia in August 1944 in the 3rd Battalion of the 13th Herzegovina Brigade. A fighter, he was killed on October 14, 1944, in Zavala in Popovo Polje.
Excerpts from literature:
Regarding Veljko’s death, it is recorded:
“From October 13 to 15, the 13th Brigade (1st, 3rd, 4th battalions, and the attached 1st Battalion of the 12th Brigade with the Boban Partisan Squad) liberated the stations Zavala, Čvaljina, and Ravno, supported by a 75mm cannon. Chasing the broken enemy forces, they reached the Turkoviće railway station by October 16. During this operation, 83 Italian fascists and 15 Ustaše were killed in the Zavala and Ravno area, while 218 were captured. The following were seized: 2 cannons, 3 machine guns, 2 81mm mortars, 1 60mm mortar, 8 submachine guns, 207 rifles, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and 25 pack animals. The units of the 13th Brigade had 3 fatalities and 8 wounded. After the liberation of Zavala, the 1st Battalion of the 12th Brigade returned to its own brigade, oriented towards Dubrovnik. At Zavala, on October 14, fighters from the 3rd Battalion were killed: Veljko Kuzman from Zitomislić, Abdulah Nanić (Avdo) from Sarajevo, and Novica Stajčić from Vlahovići. On the same day, near Ravno, fighter Veljko Anđelić from Dubočani was fatally wounded.”
Veljko is mentioned at another place in historical literature, after his death:
“Before the final assault, the commander of the 3rd Battalion, Novica Kijac (…), called the fighters of this platoon in the first twilight and asked them to eliminate the bunkers on the fortified plateau. The fighters, in silence, put hand grenades in their pouches, feeling more sorrowful that they had lost Veljko Kuzman that day during the retreat, than worried about whether they would be able to eliminate the Ustaše stronghold so quickly. Commander Kijac was determined: his command had to be carried out (…)”.
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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