Originally Posted by
Stearsolina
Maternal grandpa - Yugoslav Partisans (Allies) - volunteered at age 15, took part in some of biggest battles in this region like Sutjeska, where he was severely wounded and almost had his legs amputated. Finished the war war with tons of decorations and rank of Captain and he was supposed to go to Russia to Soviet military academy to become a general in Yugoslav Army. However his parents who were living in the US prevented that because they hated communism with passion.
Paternal grandpa - mobilized into Croatian Home Guard (Axis) towards the end of the war after release from Jasenovac concentration camp. Didn't see much active combat as he was in anti-aircraft warfare unit. Saved by his partisan friend during retreat towards Austria (Bleiburg massacre). Later he carried messages from Crusaders (Axis who refused to surrender even after war ended) to Catholic Church headquarters in Zagreb and was arrested. Would have been executed for that but again another family friend who was high ranked communist saved his ass. Ended up several years in prison and stripped of civil rights on 10 year period in post war Yugoslavia.
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