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Milunka SavicSerbian heroine of the First World War
Date of Birth: 24.06.1890
Country:  Serbia |
Content:
Biography of Milunka Savic
Milunka Savic, known as the Serbian Joan of Arc, was a Serbian heroine of World War I. She received the highest number of awards among female participants of the war for her bravery. Despite enduring nine injuries, Savic managed to survive the horrific years and raise 30 adopted children.
Early Life
Milunka Savic-Gligorevic was born on June 24, 1890, in the village of Koprivnica, near Raska, Serbia. However, her military records indicate her year of birth as 1892. She had a brother named Milan and sisters named Miona and Slavka. Milunka, a beautiful and determined young woman, did not prioritize finding a husband. Instead, she responded to the call for mobilization issued in 1912 and presented herself at the recruitment center in Belgrade.
Service in the War
Savic cut her hair short, disguised herself in men's clothing, and adopted the pseudonym Milun. She participated in the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913, fighting alongside male soldiers. Her true identity was only revealed a year later when she was wounded on the Bregalnica River and admitted to a hospital. To the surprise of the doctors, they discovered that Miluna Savic was actually a woman. Instead of punishing Savic, the command demanded an explanation, as she had not violated any regulations. They recognized her valiant service in the male-dominated field and offered her the option to become a nurse or a sister of mercy. However, Savic remained steadfast in her desire to continue fighting on the front lines. After careful consideration, the commander allowed her to continue serving in the infantry.
As a volunteer, Savic joined the Serbian army in 1914. During World War I, she served in the 2nd Iron Infantry Regiment named after Prince Mihailo. In the same regiment, she served alongside British volunteer Flora Sandes. Savic participated in the Battle of Kolubara, the main battle of World War I in the Balkans, and was awarded the Order of the Star of Karageorge with swords. In the autumn of 1915, she suffered a severe head injury and spent a long time in a hospital in Albania. Upon returning to the front, Savic continued to fight during the summer and autumn of 1916. She distinguished herself on the Salonika Front during the Battle of Kaymakchalan, capturing 23 Bulgarian soldiers single-handedly. For her achievements during World War I, Savic received the French Legion of Honor, the French War Cross with a golden palm, the British Order of St. Michael and St. George, the Russian Order of St. George, and the Serbian Medal of Milos Obilic for bravery.
Post-War Life
In the interwar period, Savic held multiple jobs, including working as a cook, nurse, and seamstress in a factory that produced military uniforms. She lived in Bosnia, where she agreed to marry Velko Gligorevic, a native of Mostar. Despite being eight years older than him, they had a daughter named Milena. Savic also adopted her niece Radmila-Visnja and a girl named Zorka who suffered from meningitis. They became a loving family.
In 1929, Savic moved to Belgrade to find work and save her children from starvation. She eventually found a job as a janitor at the "Hipotekarna Banka" and eventually took charge of the director's office. She refused the opportunity to move to France, where she was entitled to a military pension, and chose to stay in Belgrade. Throughout her life, Savic managed to help and provide for 30 adopted children, bringing her immense joy.
Later Years and Legacy
During World War II, Savic was in charge of a small field hospital in Vozdovac. After the occupation of Serbia by German forces, she was arrested and spent a year in the Banjica concentration camp. Following the liberation of Yugoslavia and the establishment of socialist rule in 1945, Savic began receiving a pension. She lived with her adopted children in a house in Vozdovac, where she was visited by her grandchildren. As time passed, her house started to deteriorate, causing concern not only to Savic but also to her neighbors.
For many years, Savic remained silent about her actions during World War I. However, she eventually shared her experiences with Yugoslav Partisans, impressing former soldiers. When the military learned about the conditions in which Savic was living, they put pressure on the government to provide her with better housing. In 1972, the Belgrade City Assembly agreed to allocate a small apartment for Savic on the fourth floor of a building in the Bratstvo Jerkovic neighborhood.
Savic suffered three strokes, from which she never fully recovered. She passed away on October 5, 1973, and was buried in the New Cemetery in Belgrade. In recent years, Savic has been honored through documentaries, exhibitions, and films that highlight her remarkable contributions during World War I.
