12.04.2022.
Sinking of Drava river monitor commemorated
Members of the Serbian Armed Forces have commemorated the anniversary of the “Drava” river monitor sinking. It was sunk on this day in 1941 after a heroic battle against far more powerful Nazi forces.
A commemoration ceremony in memory of the killed crew was held at the site of the ship’s sinking on the Danube near Čelarevo. To the sound of ships’ horns and guard’s honorary salute, the SAF delegation laid wreaths on the water of the Danube from a River Flotilla ship. The wreaths were also laid by granddaughters of the late Drava Commander, Battleship Lieutenant 1st Class Aleksandar Berić.
The Serbian Armed Forces delegation also laid a wreath at the monument to Aleksandar Berić at a local cemetery in Belegiš, 90km downstream from the sinking site, which is the resting place of this April War hero.The “Drava“ river monitor’s heroic crew inflicted heavy losses on enemy forces, until the final conflict that took place at the dawn of April 12, 1941, when the ship sank on the Danube's 1287th navigable km, following an unequal battle against German aircraft and most of its crewmembers being killed.
