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        Wars before 1918

 

 

Warfare and struggle for survival was the main occupation of people of this region for centuries, so no wonder it is always an unavoidable issue when you talk about them. Like all their neighbours near and far, Lješevostupci were going in campaigns in Montenegro, Herzegovina and other regions, the eternally struggling to preserve the "golden freedom", paying it expensive and bloody - dying in many wars and skirmishes. About the war in old times there is not much recorded, and data about killed Lješevostupci in this paper is only from the 1875, because since then, there are archival documents.

In the wars that Montenegro fought against Turkey 1875-1878. dead following Popivoda:

- Mašut Savov, in Plana in Herzegovina 1875

- Pero Radovan, on Vučiji Do, 1876  

- Nikola Radov , on Ostroške Grede, 1877.  

- Vuksan Grujučin, in fights for the Bar 1878

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In the Balkan wars of 1912/13, participated all Popivoda and Kuzman, who were mature enough for fighting, as well as some volunteers with over 70 years of age. (At the time in Lješev Stup lived only 3 households Kuzman, one of which had no male descendants. These are the families: Đura Boškova, Đoka Boškova and Grana Jovan Milutinova).

In the famous and bloody battle on the hill Taraboš near Shkoder, in February 1913, were killed two Lješevostupac:

Marko Majov Popivoda, who succumbed to wounds in a Cetinje military hospital and

Đorđije Krstov Kuzman, who was part of Niksic Battalion  

In the same fight was wounded 13 Popivoda and Kuzman, which are:

Andrija Ristov

Blagoje Kijov

Bojica Ristov

Vuko Lukin

Drekale Gorčinov

Živko Vidakov

Jošo Majov

Krsto Lukin

Lazar Đurov

Petar Majov

Radoje Zekov

Savo Perov

Filip Nikolin and

Mićo Đokov Kuzman

Lješevostupski fighters belonged to the I Company (Prediš) Čevsko-bjelički Battalion Katunska Brigade. This Brigade included fighters from Prediš, Pejovici, Ublice, Dide, Malošin Do and Lješev Stup. This Company was early, manifested the courage of its fighters and achieved combat successes, and was proclaimed the first Company the battalion. Only in the fighting around Shkoder from Bjelice Company - I Prediš and V Dub (Dub is part of the village of Resna), were killed 40 fighters, of which 38 on Taraboš, and two in neighbouring positions. From Prediš Company were killed 22 fighters and two died, while from Dub Company killed 18 fighters, and one died.   Dub Company included fighters from Resna (Dub), Tomici and Mikulici. All but two (from the both company) died on February 8 and February 9 (26 and 27 January by the old calendar) 1913. in the fight for Shkoder - this bloodiest and the most pointless struggle which Montenegrins had hitherto led. Only from Čevsko-bjelički Battalion, on the Taraboš around it, were killed 123 fighters, while 396 were wounded.  Losses in this battalion were the largest, and amounted to over 70 percent of personnel (dead and wounded).

To keep younger from the death in the battle for Shkoder participated warriors with over 70 years of age, who voluntarily fight as bombers in removing barbed wire and other obstacles.  Among them were two Popivoda: Drago and Jovan Radov.

Immediately after this bloody and exhausting war, continued the war with Bulgaria, which started 30th June 1913, in which participated large group of fighters from the Lješev Stup. A certain number of fighters had to stay away because injures from Shkoder. In this war participated:

Andrija Ristov

Bojica Ristov

Drekale Gorčinov

Živko Vidakov

Periša Lukin

Petar Majov

Radoje Zekov

Savo Perov

Filip Nikolin and

Mićo Đokov Kuzman

At the rendezvous point in Čevo arrived Mato Perov, but the news came that his son Savić (13 years) was accidentally killed, and thus he returned. He was replaced by his brother, Savo, although with unhealed wounds from Taraboš.

As can be seen, all the participants of the new war "in Bulgaria", except one, were only a few months ago wounded, but there was no respite, so tortured, exhausted with wounds they continued to a new war. Lješevostupci who have not participated in these wars were then in America.

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Without respite after two exhausting wars, already 1914, came a new invasion, from the Austro-Hungary force, but there was so little force to resist. In support of Serbia Montenegrins immediately rushed, in the Montenegrin army were fighters from Lješev Stup and they went to Bosnia. On the front line to the Austro-Hungary military force there were:

Bojica Ristov

Vuko Jovanov

Vuko Lukin

Drekale Gorčinov

Živko Vidakov

Jagoš Gorčinov

Jošo Majov

Krsto Lukin

Lazar Đurov

MatoPerov

Radoje Zekov

Nikola Radojev

Savo Perov and

Mićo Đokov Kuzman

After them, to the combat line, the arrived volunteers:                  

Andrija Matov

Blažo Vidakov

Milovan Lazarev and

Blagooje Đokov Kuzman

Since these four were minors, and were not subject to military obligation, that was later especially appreciated, and in the 1939 they received a high volunteer award.

In the fights on Javor was killed Živko Vidakov, while in other locations were wounded: Jagoš Gorčinov, Mato Perov and Radoje Zekov.

In the next, 1915. during the heavy fighting, when the Austrian forces was already threatening the defence of Montenegro, to help their brethren, rushed brothers from the United States. With Italian ship "Brindisi" moved about 500 volunteers to help Montenegro and Serbia. At about 500 meters from the pier in the Albanian port of Medova, at 24 December 1915, there has been tremendous explosion and the boat sank. Of about 500 volunteers, among whom were two Popivoda, who already rejoiced meeting with Montenegro and brothers in it, saved only 164, and the other was swallowed by the Adriatic Sea. Among drowned remained Mitar Gorčinov, and among the saved was Blagoje Tomašev.  In Cetinje in the 1939. was built magnificent Monument called "Lovćen fairy", which still preserves the memory of about 340 patriots who went half the globe to give life for the freedom of their people.

Incomparably stronger Austrian-Hungary military force they could not resist, and the Montenegrin army was no longer able to keep from the the penetration of the aggressor, and found itself at complete collapse. Having broken front line for the defence of the Montenegrin capital, Cetinje on the 13 January 1916, the Austrian-Hungary troops entered the town. In very complex political situation, especially in relations between Montenegro and Serbia, and in extremely critical situation on all fronts (resulting due to the large superiority of the enemy and poverty in war material and food, as well as a number of other circumstances), there was chaos in the Montenegrin army, especially in the sector near Cetinje.  After the fall of Cetinje, Lješevostupski fighters who were in this sector have retreated along with the rest of the army, over Tomici, and came to their village. They gathered in Moma Do, and agreed not to surrender weapons to the occupation army. When Austrians came towards Čevo, and when they were already over Bjelica (16 January 1916) Lješevostupci took their weapons, and departed without the fight to Čevo. At a place called Bošnjani, near Čevo, they took position. Tues two Vukotić from Čevo - Lazar Božov and Pero Krstov, intercepted Austrians in nearby Potočine, shoot at them - and there were killed. Lješevostupci opened fire, and thus provoked counter attack of large Austrian army. Had no sense to continue this fight, they barely managed to retreat to Danilovgrad, where was the headquarters of the Bjelopavlići Brigade. A few days later, more accurately - 21. January 1916 the decision of the Supreme Command, the Montenegrin army was officially disbanded, and the Lješevostupci surrendered weapons in Danilovgrad command and return to their village.

This symbolic armed resistance, of course, had no military effect, but it had the meaning of moral satisfaction. It was just a vent, only traditionally, resistance to hated the occupation army that could cost lives their families that were previously found directly under the occupation.

With the created situation Montenegrins were not reconciled, and a number of fighters went to komite to provide armed resistance to occupying forces. Among Katunjani who again took the weapons were Vuko Jovanov, Drekale Gorčinov and Jagoš Gorčinov.  Komite from the area of  Katunska district carried out the armed attack on a gendarmerie station (at Bata Cucka, and Vršanje, near Njeguši), attacked military transports, and constantly bother the enemy. "Komite were not numerous, but caused serious concern to occupational Austrian authorities," said Dr. Novica Rakocevic. Other Lješevostupci found themselves as a hostages (Gorčin Đurov), or in the camps at forced to work in Boka, Budva, Rugova and other places . However, the majority were released after a while and returned home.

Life under the occupation of Austria was more than difficult. Already in the first days of occupation they were robbed of what little resources for life they had: food and some cattle, and the population was quickly brought to the brink of collapse. Had to spend even the seeds, and had nothing to sow in the spring. Starved of hunger, even the propertied were sold to survive; sicknesses were looted, and left a particularly serious consequences is the "Spanish fever" as they called dangerous type of flu that was raging through Europe and caused millions of victims. Difficult situation was on the entire occupied territory, but it was most difficult in the anyway poor areas such as Katunska district. Because of the terrible famine that was in Montenegro under Austro-Hungarian rule (21st January 1916 to 11th November 1918. ), the period remained known as the "hungry years".

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After three consecutive wars came, at the end of 1918. long-desired peace. However, even then the political situation was not stable because a significant number of Montenegrins, especially in Cetinje region, opposed mode that unification with Serbia was carried out (and soon after, with the other Yugoslav provinces) and position of Montenegrin people in the new state. In the approach to this huge problem Montenegrins were not united, but the divided to unconditional supporters of the union and those who were for the equality of Montenegro and its people with other nations in the new country.  

The electoral agitation unconditional supporters of unification have emphasized their candidates on a white paper, and others - on the green, so that the members of conflicting political camp were called - Whites and the Greens. Large number of Katunjani, among them some of Lješevostupci participated, in the early January 1919 in the rebellion of several thousand Greens. Insurrectionary committee that was in Bajice, near Cetinje, addressed the authority of Podgorica Assembly - Executive Board in Cetinje, with the application in which, inter alia, states: "We are all agreed that Montenegro with all other provinces form a large Yugoslav state without any internal borders - type of rule we leave to validly elected Assembly of all Yugoslavs (constituencies) to resolve and we will sincerely obey. Determined, better organized and well-armed Serbian troops and whittles troops claimed victory, and the rebels came to the rout. Most of them returned to their homes, a number emigrated to Italy, a small group of Komite "remained in the woods - ready to continue the fight. Among the Komite, which have continued to resist were four Lješevostupci: Andrija Matov, Krsto Lukin and Nikola Radojev Popivoda as well as Blagoje Đokov Kuzman. Andrija later emigrated to Italy, he returned and went again, so 1919-1921. mostly was in Gaeta, as part of the Montenegrin émigré army.

These events left a deep mark in the political life of Montenegro, in almost every village and tribe, and especially in Old Montenegro. It later had a great reflection on the political situation and developments in the fateful days of 1941-1945.

Under the influence of Great Serbian propaganda, part one of the people retained the opinion that, then the Montenegrin federalists were against the unification of Montenegro with other Yugoslav countries, which is not true, though there were individuals who thought differently. Their basic political orientation was - with integrity and equal unity and this can be clearly seen from the contents of their complaints, which were, on the occasion of the elections in Cetinje 1918, sent to Podgorica Assembly. They say: "We are for Yugoslavia. Type of form of our big joint Yugoslavia will determine the common Yugoslav constituent assembly composed of the people's elected representatives of all the Yugoslav Regions. We want that in Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro join, hand in hand brotherly and equally.  

After the tumultuous events occurred after the liberation from the Austrian occupation began to run a peaceful life, without armed conflict, and that meant a lot for the people who were completely exhausted by three consecutive wars and the three-year occupation - and was brought to the edge of collapse. Living conditions have improved, because the peace may create more work, and because migration in Metohija and Vojvodina remained more economic space for those who remained in their homes. However, there were a lot of difficulties even than, and they exaggerated with national and social injustice, which was encouraged by the dissatisfaction with the newly created regime.

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