The city of Pag has invited citizens to gather today at the Paški most to jointly mark the 35th anniversary of its defence during the Homeland War. The commemorative programme begins with a gathering at 9:30.
Wreaths will be laid and candles lit to pay tribute to Croatian defenders and all those who preserved this transport link. A special flypast by the "Krila Oluje" aerobatic team of the Croatian Air Force is also scheduled.
The City of Pag stated: "Let us come together, with pride and gratitude, to pay tribute to those who defended our bridge, our island and our freedom. We do not forget their courage and sacrifice."
The anniversary recalls the days of late autumn 1991. After the JNA blocked and destroyed the Maslenica Bridge, the Paški most remained the transport link between northern and southern Croatia.
Via the Paški most, with the help of the Prizna – Žigljen ferry line, supply, communication and the transfer of military units took place. The heaviest air attack took place on 8 November 1991.
According to war records, the air force bombed and shelled the bridge for six hours. At the most critical moments, 12 enemy aircraft were in the sky above the Fortica fortress.
Despite the pressure, defenders from the Independent Volunteer Platoon "Most" and island units offered resistance. With anti-aircraft weapons, they shot down enemy Galeb and Jastreb aircraft, while damaging several others.
It was, as witnesses recall, a "black Friday" for the enemy air force – a defeat after which the aggressor's aircraft did not return to attack the Paški most.
