19.02.2014.

The book 'Serbian military in the Great War 1914-1918" promoted in the Central MIlitary Club

In the Central Military Club a promotion of the book by Dusan M . Babac " Serbian military in the Great War 1914-1918” was held today. This book is enriched with many rare and valuable photographs, the book in 375 pages follows a major victory for Serbia in World War I.

The promotion was attended by Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic, assistant ministers, Crown Prince Alexander II and his wife Catherine , the representatives of the Serbian Army , churches , and many other guests.

Such an important date, the centenary of the Great War , was the reason for the book to be published this year . In addition to the authors, reviewer prof. dr Mile Bjelajac and historian Dr. Milos Kovic spoke of the book which was published by the Media Center "Odbrana ".

The guests were welcomed by the Director of the Media Center "Odrbana " Lt. Col. Slavoljub Markovic, while the host of the promotion was editor Snezana Djokic.

Professor Bjelajac promoted the book remarking it as "extremely valuable " and pointed out that this was a specific type of literature, not a classic history book .

- This is an excellent reconstruction of the Great War and one of the best visualization of the Serbian army in the war published after 1918.The structure of the book is unusual, but appropriate for this edition. It differs from similar books because there is a detailed description of arms, uniforms our soldiers and officers wore including glorious flags, as well as medals awarded to brave fighters . Certainly, we can be proud of the book as we live in the country where it was published.

Historian Milos Kovic said that the book had achieved its goal – it is attractive to readers.

- The book represents that history which attracts . Also, this is a living testimony, it presents authentic characters and attachments , as well as visual sources from that era . The book abounds with reliable texts, and the author has demonstrated his superb skill of storytelling , managing toe tell the tale in a small number of pages focusing on key and clear data , said Kovic.

The author stressed that the Serbian army deserves a book, with more than 500 illustrations, "which is just a step away from becoming a documentary film."

- The book is written in an exceptional testimony of a generation that has made an unprecedented sacrifice thus writing the brightest pages of our history. The author tells us about how and what our forefathers fought for, why they deserve medals for their heroism, thus paying a well-deserved tribute to the Serbian soldiers Serbian army, which was filed in the history as an unprecedented sacrifice for the defense and salvation of the fatherland. The book is available to anyone who does not want to forget their ancestors, as Babac said adding that his contemporaries should try and become worthy of their ancestors, and that young people should learn the meaning of the words character , sacrifice, honor , dignity and love for the motherland.

The author read a few quotes from the beginning of the book , which tells us what kind of army it was as it was first held in high regard and reverence by enemies and then allies.
Serbia during the war lost what is estimated to be around 1.000.000 inhabitants, of whom about 400,000 were conscripts - almost a third of the total population. None of the participating countries of the Great War had paid so dearly their freedom.