07.03.2022.
Minister Stefanović: Serbia remembers heroes!
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, recalled that on this day, March 7, 1913, the first Serbian pilot Mihajlo Petrović was killed while carrying out a combat task. He was the first victim in the Serbian Air Force and one of the first pilots in the world to die in a combat operation.
“Mihajlo Petrović was one of the first six Serbian pilots educated in France in 1912. After completing the training in June 1912, he successfully passed the final exams, a month before the others in his group, and made the first flight. The event drew a lot of attention, so one of the onlookers, a correspondent of the Parisian "Le Figaro" newspaper, wrote a great report on "the fearless and admirable flight of a Serbian sergeant" - Minister Stefanović wrote on his Facebook page.The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale issued Petrović with pilot's license no. 979, and he proudly and honourably served the Serbian homeland, holding pilot’s licence no. 1.
The famous French pilot Broden expressed his admiration for Petrović by saying that “… he is sure to become an ace because he is so calm, as if he despises death”, which speaks volumes about the fearless Serbian hero even today.
Praise and glory to the first Serbian pilot!
Serbia remembers its heroes!“ – wrote Minister Stefanović.
