Russians about Serbian cowardness once again

Dreaming of Belgrade, to confess, I never expected to meet in him a lot of joyful indifference; It seemed to me that the war for freedom and independence of the country attracted the entire young and healthy population of Serbia, and, consequently, Belgrade, to the battlefield. But in fact, I saw the opposite: crowds of healthy people wandered aimlessly in the streets from corner to corner or idly sat in front of coffee houses.

In the front, we met two Russian officers who had just returned from the army. It was the first meeting with eyewitnesses of the battles that were before; it is clear that the meeting interested us.

- Well, what, how are you doing in the army? - we asked the officers. 

 - Things are bad - the Russians answered

|Officers relayed details of recent battles; the Serbs were characterized by them as cowards, constantly retreating, and the Turks - by the brave, advancing. The officers told us that the Russians are simply unhappy victims,  whose casualties that perish in every battle, without any benefit to either themselves or the army. |

 - A lot of Russians were killed, many wounded. 

- So it's hard to survive? - Beginners were interested.

- Difficult - the seasoned said.

Our physiognomy stretched out.

- So the Serbs are fighting badly?

- God forbid! Almost everyone has to be driven into battle.

- How to drive?

- With a saber, a revolver.  

- How about the telegram of general Chernyaev himself that the Serbs fought “like Lions”? 

Experienced officers burst out laughing.  

- What?!

- Where are you going now?

- We will ask for a vacation, to Russia.

Parted. The cheerful mood of the volunteers disappeared.


Translated from Russian memories.
Help with translation by Stopserbophilia blog.



 

 

Russian peacekeeper in Kosova about Serbs

Taken and translated from memories of Russian soldier who happened to be a peacekeeper during the events in Kosova 1999.


Of course, there was a certain risk in the service, as there was a march from Bosnia to Kosovo for our army to seize the Slatina airfield and stand up with the British there, but it was a matter of a few days, and then, in terms of danger, it was no more dangerous than in somewhere in the center of Russia. With all the ambiguous attitude of the Albanians towards the Russian Army (and you would know how the Serbs treat us, especially the urban ones, you would be very surprised ...).

"Bratushki bratushki, ruski srbska brothers forever", I'd like not to see you for a century!

With such brothers it is better to be an orphan!
 <...>

 "Home video" for free, at least some fun at night at the post.

But in the end, only Serb pimps profited on all of this ...

Because, voluntarily, involuntarily after watching porn from the guard tower, everyone fled to them to order "fallen women", and Serbs brought the girls.

Duty hookers at that time were some Russian girl from Pskov (I forgot her name) with her "plaintive story" for this category of women on duty, how she came to such a life, what the heck she was doing in this fucking Kosovo, and the second whore was a Serb, a woman of some kind under 185 cm, of a powerful build, almost wider than me in the shoulders ...

By the way, they were delivered to us by a "Serb oppressed by the Albanians"...

<...>

We are located in the city of Leskovac, this is southern Serbia, not far from the border with Kosovo, there are about 50 of us here and our task is to moor equipment withdrawn to Russia from Kosovo. Our team is assembled from different departments, so we "moored" the next train leaving for Russia, showered and went to Kafan (in the Serbian cafe).

The waiter somehow in one of the cafes starts to make claims to us, saying that we are not good people, because we are not defending them, the unfortunate Serbs, to our fate.

To our reasonable question, why they, ethnic Serbs of quite a military age,   are in Kafan and  are not fighting in Kosovo for their freedom and independence of their homeland, there was no answer. 

Earlier, a couple of days ago, another batch of fighters going to Russia, following the same questioner, almost throw him off the rails before the suitable train for the same jerky question ..

How do they have the audacity to come and demand this way?
Hypocrites ...

 <...>

In fact, they sold all their leaders, who more or less could do in the interests of Serbia, to the Hague court, they were sent there anyway, and they make complaints to us, why are we leaving?

Well, what I personally forgot with such assholes?

The story was always interesting to me, and I remember why Russia was embroiled in World War I, which cost us tremendous human losses and in fact the loss of the country, and now looking at the Serbs and their attitude towards us, I am very sad to think whether it was worth it intervention in the war because of the Serbs for Russia ...

They basically worth each others - the Serbs and the Albanians. 

 <...>

In Aynovtsy village, we guarded the school, or rather the post was next to the school. The teachers of this school (Serbians, by the way) did not even consider it necessary to greet us.

When I first came to this post and greeted them, I received only a haughty look in response. As if I started to ask a lot of money from them.

This moment was for me the last straw and the turning point in all these pseudo-patriotic ravings - "Serbs are brothers blah blah".
 
Serbs or Albanians? With such brothers it is better to be an orphan! 

Delusions about Serbia: Serbs were the first christian nation in Ottoman empire which liberated themselves from Turkish rule during their heroic serbian uprisings.

We had a lot of chances to read about how Serbs have thrown out Turks and liberated their country in their two "uprisings" in 1804-13 and 1815. and how they formed their "independent state" 1830. before any other balkans nation. Under the brave and wise leadership of their "vožd" Karađorđe. During both of late Yugoslavias that story was turned into dogma and served as basics of serbian so called rights for privileged status that Serbs have enjoyed during period from 1918 and 1991. Serbs are even today celebrating this historical forgery and keep with this "beatuy threatment" of the truth. But what is the real truth about "glorious" uprisings of this "torchbearers" of freedom on Balkans?

Part one: "First serbian uprising 1804-1813."

In late 18th century Turkish feudal system found itself in stage of total desintegration and chaos. Turskish army lost most of her former power and in every way was behind armies of european countries. Also turkish sultans become waeker and weaker and real power in empire got in the hands of local governors – beys and janissaries (elite military troops regruted from islamised christian children which were teared away from their families in very early age and raised as elite striking force of Ottoman army).

Turkey suffered one defeat after another in wars against Austria and Russia. Territorial pretensions of european powers towards Ottoman territories become lauder and even question of liberating Constantinople was reopened again. Yet Ottoman empire managed to persist and survive mostly thanks to Napoleonic wars which forced Austria, Russia and Britain to engage most of their military and political power to fight Napoleon.

After austrian-turkish war 1788-1791. in which some Serbs joined Austrian army the threaty in Svištov was signed. Among others this Serbs got abolition from turkish sultan Selim II and sultan even get Serbs rights to chose their "knezovi" – village elders which have some (very limited) competences in governing their communities. Among other they collected taxes from their villagers and handed them to turkish goverments.

But this very limited powers of serbian elders was oposed by janissary warlords which were real power in Belgrade pashaluk (Serbia without todays Vojvodina, Kosovo, Sanjak and southeast Serbia). They become so powerful that they inducted their terror and power in this pashaluk disobeying sultans orders and leaving pashas and other regular institutions of ottoman state without any real strength and authority. By that they had support of some neighbouring turkish warlords like ajan from todays bulgarian city of Vidin Pazvan Ogla former janissary too. Turkish goverment tryed to break power of janissaries and newly named pasha Abu-Bekir even organised murder of janissary leader Deli-Ahmet.

Position of Serbs under the Abu-Bekir goverment become little easier and better so many Serbs like "knez" Aleksa Nenadović called Abu-Bekir "serbian mother". Some Serbs have even fought together with turkish regular troops against janissaries. But Napoleons approaching closely to turkish teritories forced sultan to redraw his forces from Serbia and that enabled janissaries to enforce their power over Belgrade pashaluk once again.

Four janissary warlords so called "dahije" become absolute power in Serbia. From their headquaters in Belgrade they were masters of entyre life in Serbia. They collected taxes , they judged in conficts and they become lords of life and death in Serbia. Position of serbian christians under thier terror become unbearable so some of them started to plan uprising against dahije. But janissaries have been informed about this plans so they have commited in february 1804. so called "hewing down of elders" (sječa knezova). They have captured and killed about 70 notable serbian elders. This bloody event become the motiv for serbian rebellion against janissaries (but not regular turkish goverment). Uprising have spread but in the military meaning it was very limited both in number of forces engaged same as intensity of the fights. Serbs chosed for their leader so called "vožd" pig breeder and trader Đorđe Petrović Karađorđe (black George in turkish), very violent man, even sociopat who killed his own father and brother and was very fast in shooting everybody who opposes him.

Jannisary units where not numerous. For instance one of dahijas Aganlija lead only 400 soldiers in attack on main rebel forces in Šumadija. On the other hands turkish pasha didn't do anything to stop serbian uprising hoping that they will help him to get rid of janissaries. Serbian rebel army (at most 10.000 poorly armed and trained men) have managed to overpower this, in fact, small number of janissries and reached under the Belgrade, jannisary headquaters. But they haven't succeded to conquer it. Then they got a help from a bosnian Bećir-pasha which came to Belgrade with 3.000 trops. He had orders from the sultan to kill four janissay leaders – dahije. He called them, pretendedly, for negotiations on Danube isle Ada-kale but then he disarmed them and handed over to serbian rebels which killed them. So the janissary power in Serbia was broken.

But Serbs were not satisfied. Even they were offered limited authonomy they wanted more so they continued with guerrila war against turks. By that they have significant help from russian tzar which send in 1805. troops to help them, same as supplies and weapons. This russian troops stayed in Serbia fighting mostly around Danub river and in eastern Serbia together with Serbs until Napoleon's attack on Russian in 1812 when tzar ordered them to return home.

With leaving of russian troops rebels lost most of their power and turkish army attacked Belgrade pashaluk from west (Bosnia), south (Sanjak) and east (Bulgaria) and soon in 1813 the first serbian uprising was crashed. Serbian historians have invented myth about number of over 200.000 turkish soldiers which attacked Serbia but this number is simply ridiculous knowing that Ottoman empire have never, not even on peak of it's power or during the siege of Vienna raised 200.000 soldiers on one campaign. Neutraal sources handle with numbers of about (at most) 20-30.000 troops. At the end of uprising Karađorđe and other leaders of rebelion fled over the border into Austria leaving their comrades and people at the mercy of Turks.

So, in short, first serbian uprising wasn't uprising against turkish goverment at all, but against the terror of janissary warlords and this uprising had support of turkish sultan and pashas. Also this uprising was military insignificant engaging small number of troops on both sides in very low intensity combat activities. After that Russian tzar saw and opportunity to penetrate on Balkans and through it on "warm seas" (Meditteranean) so he engaged his troops to keep up and maintain this uprising . Exact number of this troops is unknown but since Tzar found neccessay to call them back during Napoleons attack we can draw a conclusion that they were pretty significant and numerous. Without their help uprising was soon easily crushed by turkish army.

Delusions about Serbia: Serbs have never accepted turkish rule and have allways rebeled against it

Part I - "Heroes"

This is one of most common serbian national myths yet, the truth is a lot different. After entyre Serbia came under turkish rule in late 15th century, next two centuries 16th and 17th there is simply no reliable hystoricall evidences of any serbian resistance against turkish rule whatsoever. This shortage of hystoricall evidences Serbes tryed to compensate in their traditional oral folk literature and legends which have later serbian historiography adopted as hystorical facts which really has no basis in serious scientific methodology but was (and still is) very usefull for political purposes.

So they started to invent "heroes" and events and adjust the truth to fit their politicall needs and romantic imagery of heroic and allways rebellious and unbowed serbian national spirit.

One of best examples are folk songs about kraljević (prince) Marko, kind of medieval Superman. Invincible fighter for peoples freedom and against ottoman terror which singlehanded killed hundreds upon hundreds turkish soldiers allways fighting for liberty and christianity. But in fact nothing of this was true. Kraljević Marko was in fact serbian nobleman Marko Mrnjavčević son of one of pretenders for serbian throne, after defeat in the battle at Kosovo, "king" Vukašin Mrnjavčević and nephew of serbian despot Jovan Uglješa. I have to notice here that neither his father Vukašin was really a king neither Marko was a prince because after battle at river Maritza Serbs havent had a real kings but only ambitious pretenders for throne which have often fought between themselves. Not even "tzar" Lazar who was leading serbian army at battle of Kosovo was no king and especially not "tzar" but just one of this pretenders nobleman Lazar Hrebeljanović. So lets go back to Marko. Besides chronological mistakes which put him in very unspecified time period (in fact he lived in second half of 14th century) it is complete hystoricall forgery calling him christian hero and fighter against Turks because he become, after the serbian defeat at battle on Maritza river in 1371. turkish vassal and stayed that as long as he lived. He died in 1395. in the battle fighting alongside with Turks against wallachian christian duke Mircea.

But Marko Mrnjavčević was at least real hystorical figure. Other serbian "hero" placed in todays Vojvodina after the horrible defeat of christian hungarian-croatian army at the battle of Mohacs in august 1526. "tzar" (another of serbian false "tzars") Jovan Nenad is even more interesting case. Jovan Nenad aka "crni čovek" (black man) was according to (quite unbeknown) serbian folk stories and some modern serbian "alternative historians" (mildly said) leader of about 600 serbian mercenaries which came to todays northern parts of Vojvodina after the battle at Mohacs. Using total anarchy after the defeat he, allegedly, overtook power over entyre Bačka and Banat, two parts of todays Vojvodina (together with Srijem) and raised an army of 15.000 men. According on serbian undefined "sources" he become so powerfull that both pretenders for hungarian throne Ivan (John) Zapolya and Ferdinand of Habsburg fought for his sympathies and both have desperately tried to attach him to their side. He also, as serbian story goes on managed to drive Turks out from Vojvodina and forced them to retreat southern of Danube river into todays Serbia. Same Turks which have few months ago, with army of 50.000 troops, defeated entyre hungarian-croatian army and occupied large parts of Hungary and Croatia.

After that this incredible charcter proclaimed himself a "tzar" and placed his throne in Subotica (Szabatka) second largest and most northern city in todays Vojvodina. All this wonders he managed to acchieve in less then a year because he was, according to legend killed in july 1527. Remarkable. But the best is yet to come. There is absolutely not a single one written document neither in hungarian, neither austrian, serbian, croatian or turkish archives which even mentiones this so called "tzar". It is really most interesting that such a mighty warlord for whose friendship and alliance fought pretenders for hungarian-croatian throne, even powerful Ferdinand of Habsburg, who defeated Ottomans at the peak of their power, who raised quite an numerous serb army in areas where Serbs haven't even lived at that time, and who proclaimed himself a "tzar" wasn't mentioned even with one word in chronicles of his nation, his supposed enemies, and his "allies". From that it is quite easy to get to the conclusion that this character was either completely invented by 19th and 20th century serbian regime "historians" to prove hystorical lie of serbian presence in Vojvodina in 16th century , either is distored version of who knows which epic song from serbian oral literature. But this doesnt't bother Serbs to call this Mickey Mouse-like character "last serbian tzar", raise him monuments (in Subotica)

Since turning turkish vassals into freedom fighters or even inventing nonexisting "heroes" wasn't enough serbian "jester-historians", same as some serbians "teach" us that serbian history say that Janos Hunyadi, most famous hungarian 15th century fighter aginst Turks, was Serb called Sibinjanin Janko. Janos Hunyadi "Hammer of Turks" was in fact an hungarian noblemen from Transylvania, but of wallachian origins, which become famous all over Balkans and every nation gave him name in the spirit of their language. So Romanians call him Ian de Huneadora and Croats and Serbs gave him name Sibinjanin Janko coming from his home transylvanian town Sibiu (Sibinj). His only connection with Serbia was the fact that he was leading christian army which broke turkish siege of Belgrade (which wasn't even part of Serbia at that time or before that).

Obvious ignorance of many, even hungarian authors resulted with allegations that Hunyadi's family was of serbian origins because they were in fact Wallachian (Vlasi) orthodox. His father's, who alledgly converted from orthodoxy to catholicism, name was Vajk which isn't slavic or serbian name at all. But knowing that Serbs have later completely serbised Wallachians (Vlasi) in Serbia and Bosnia (many of today's bosnian Serbs have wallachian - "vlaški" origins), and knowing also serbian praxis to proclaim allmost all Balkans orthodox belivers (except Greeks) a Serbs (examples, beside Wallachians also Macedonians, Montenegrins, Aromanians or Cincars and even gypsies when that suites them).

Other example is albanian christian catholic (yes, before turkish occupation in late 15th century Albanians were christians, mostly roman catholic with significant number of orthodox belivers) warlord and national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeg. This legendary fighter against Turks had his fortress in Kruje, Durres region in northern Albania. In his case Serbs are not completely claiming him for themselves but are willing to share him with Greeks. They both claim that Skenderbeg in not an albanian but half Greek (father) half Serbian (on mothers side). Skenderbeg mother is mentioned by the slavic name Voisava,. Of course if name is slavic then it certainly has to be Serbian. Like Serbs are only Slavs on Balkans. Yet this informations about his parents can be found only in serbian and greek sources and ones who quotes them. And there is no explanation how come that son of orthodox (greek) father and orthodox (serbian) mother turned out to be roman catholic.

This few examples of twisting history or simply inventing it same as stealing other nations heroes and history is just a top of an iceberg of lies and delusions which their propaganda is spreading all over the world


Part II – Expansion of Serbian orthodox church under the Ottoman rule

One of the most important consequence of Ottoman rule on Balkans is drasticall change of national and religious structure of Balkans countries, especially Bosnia, Vojvodina and Croatia.

Bosnia was before turkish conquest predominantly catholic land with significant number of heretical patarens – followers of heretical "bosnian church" and very small number of orthodox Serbs concentrated mostly in eastern and southeastern parts of todays B&H. Bosnian catholics, same as heretic patarens of "bogumils" were predominantly Croats by their origins with some elements of unknown slavic tribes (Slavs that came to Balkans in 6th century, before Croats and Serbs did). It is possible that there were some traces of Illirian, Roman,Goth and Avar population, same as Magyars but in very small and insignificant numbers. It is without any doubts that vast majority of pre-turk Bosnian population were catholic of croatian ethnic origins with minorities like Serbs and also orthodox non-slavic nomadic Wallachians (Vlasi).

Todays Vojvodina was part of Hungarian kingdom and populated allmost completely with roman-catholic Hungarians, except eastern parts of todays Banat which was ethnically mixed and populated with larger number of orthodox Wallachians (today Romanians).

Todays Croatia, which was split between hungarian-croatian kingdom and Venetia (coastal cities, islands and part of croatian mainland along the adriatic shore). Part that belonged to croatian-hungarian kingdom was populated allmost entirely by ethnic Croats, except northeastern part which had mixed croat-hungarian population. Coastal part possesed by Venetians had predominatly Venetian-roman urban population (yet with significant number of Croats either) and rural croatian population in the hinterland.

For all of them is typical that population was partialy ethnic mixture but religiously it was very homogenous, namely vast majority were roman-catholics.

Even in first 50 or 60 years after turkish conquest of Bosnian kingdom, Bosnia stayed mostly catholic country witho between 55-60% of roman catholic population.

But that is going to change. Key years were 1526. and especially 1527.

Status of catholics in Ottoman empire become worse even in last years of reign of sultan Selim I (died in 1520.), yet when his successor sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent and his military campaigns against Hungarian-croatian kingdom it became unbearable.

Turks have 1526. heavily defeated hungarian-croatian army at the battle of Mohacs and opened the way to conquer large parts of todays Hungary, Romania and Croatia same as northern and northwestern parts of Bosnia which still were not in thier hands. In next 15 years there were numerous battles between Turks and christians while Turks were advancing towards west and northwest.

Same year Ferdinand of Habsburg joined hungarian-croatian kingdom with his own forming large and powertfull catholic Habsburg Empire which becames greatest enemy of the Ottomans.

In this situation catholic population in Ottoman empire was considered as extremly unrealiable and potentialy dangerous element which has to be neutralised or even eliminated by any mean. And terror had began. Catholic population was persecuted and terrorised in many ways. Many catholics were killed, entyre villages, towns, churches and monasteries were burned and destroyed. Ottomans have imposed discriminatiory laws agains catholics. They payed much larger taxes and muslims and orthodox, had much harder labor obligations, in many parts catholic worship and masses vere forbidden, and many priests and monks were killed. Catholics were forced to either convert to islam either leave their homes or even loose their lives. And many did that. Many left occupied parts of Bosnia and Croatia and went to Habsburg empire. Others have been islamised or simply killed. In this decade or two number of catholics drastically felt and number of muslims significantly grew. Number of total population in this area felt and many parts became unpopulated and empty.

On the other hand, there were no significant orthodox state left which Turks considered as a danger. Byzantyne empire was completely in turkish hands, same as Serbia, Bulgaria, Wallachia and Transylvania. Russians had just began to form their empire and their influence on european and balkans historycal scene was allmost unexisting.

Under this circumstances it is clear that Ottomans have favourised orthodox christians over catholics and stimulated colonisation of former catholic lands by orthodox belivers. They even stimulated conversion of catholics into orthodox where they refused to adopt islam regarding that as easyer way to neutralise catholic element and ensure their loyality. Into emptied former catholic parts of the cities and towns Ottomans have settled islamised former christians, anatolian Turks and Albanians and into rural areas orthodox Wallahians (Vlasi). Many parts of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Dalmatia and Slavonia were devasated and empty after catholics left or were killed and on this areas Ottoman goverment settled Wallachians and in smaller number Serbs. This mercenaries, and not real Turks or islamised slavs have guarded turkish western borders against christians. Same parts in western Bosnia and dalmatian hinterland which was occupied during the war 1991.-95 by Serbs and which formed so called "srpska krajina" and western part of "republika srpska". This large parts of land are still poorly populated rural areas without any larger cities except Banjaluka. Many of inhabitants are still engaged in sheep breeding and sight of sheppherds driving their herds of sheeps around wilderness is still quite regular in this areas. 

Part II – Expansion of Serbian orthodox church under the Ottoman rule


One particular event gave additional wind in sails of Serbian orthodox church. After the turkish conquest of Serbia serbian national Peć patriarchy (established by sv.Sava – serbian national saint and brother of first serbian king Stefan Nemanja) was abolished and merged with older Ohrid archiepiscopy in 1459. That way Serbs lost their national church for next allmost 100 years. But during the reign of sultan Suleiman one man, islamized Serb from todays eastern Herzegovina Mehmet-pasha Sokolović became at first rumelian begler-bey (turkish military commander for european part of Empire) and later Grand Vissier of Ottoman empire.
In 1557. he used his enormous influence on turkish court, procured restoration of Peć patriarchy and helped his cousin Makarije Sokolović – Hilandar monistery monk to become patriarch. Peć patriarchy soon started to extent its influence on all orthodox belivers in Serbia, part of Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Vojvodina and Hungary. With such a powerfull background on turkish court Peć patriarchy gained jurisdiction over all orthodox belivers in this lands.

Wallachian nomadic shepherds which were present in Bosnia even during early bosnian state became more and more numerous coming along with turkish troops as mercenaries or following them as marauders. They settled in abadnoned catholic areas on western borders of turkish empire. They have ofen attempted marauding campaigns on the other side of austrian-turkish borders. To stop this forays austrian military commanders even engaged many of them and settled them on austrian (in fact croatian) territories since this territories were also abandoned during the war actions. Very soon this Wallachians from both sides of the border, together with newcoming Serbs felt under jurisdiction of Peć patriarchy. Since Ottomans have given orthodox priests many abandoned and ruined catholic churches and monisteries to use them they have managed to establish their church infrastrucutre. Using their privileged position over catholics they have soon began with numerous pressures on catholics. Turkish laws favorized them so they even managed to convert some catholics into orthodoxy. Ottoman laws even let them to collect church rates not just from orthodox belivers but from catholics too. And with mixing of Wallachians (Vlasi) and Serbs which also came folloving turkish troops, and actvities of serbian priests process of serbisation of Wallachins has began and finished in 19th century when all of them adopted serbian national determination as their own. But even today in many parts of Croatia and Bosnia this "Serbs" are called Vlasi which points on their origins.

This conditions lasted for next 160 years and culminated with turkish defeat under the walls of Vienna 1683. and austro-turkish war 1683.-1699. when Hungary and Croatia were liberated from the Turks. Esspecialy after the military campaign of austrian commander Eugen of Savoy 1687. when he reached and burned Sarajevo but had to retreat persecution of catholics reached its peak. Folloving Eugen of Savoy and his army over 100.000 Croat catholics left Bosnia and settled mainly in Slavonia. Number of catholics in Turkish occupied lands came to its lowest point and they were allmost extinct. On their homes Turks have again settled muslims and orthodox population.

During this same war, austrian troops attacked Turks in Serbia and reached Prizren in todays Kosovo but were forced to retreat. Together with austrian army there were about 70.000 Serbs from Kosovo and Rashka running from Turks to the north. This Serbs under the leadership of serbian patriarch Arsenije III Čarnojević settled to Vojvodina and parts of Hungary (they came allways to city Szentendre northern from Budapest). That has drastically changed ethnic strucuture of Bačka and Srijem and most of todays Vojvodina Serbs are descendents of this settlers.

From all this it is quite obvious that Serbian orthodox church was not taken any active part in fighting Turks between 15th and late 18th century but, quite oposite. Because of its policy of collaboration with Oottomans Serbian orthodox church managed to enable serbian expansion towards west and north. This expansion, together with serbisation of all non-serbian orthodox belivers under their jurisdiction was a base of later concept and project of «greater Serbia» which lead to many bloody wars on Balkans lasting with wars in the 1990-es.

Today we have a situation that Serbs, althought they have lost Kosovo, and could possible lose Sanjak, were only real historicall winners during that period of turkish conquests and wars because they have widely expanded their ethnical and administrational borders on the areas much more valuable than backward hellholes like Kosovo and Sanjak. Areas which, before the Ottomans arrive, belonged to other nations and religions and in whose extintion and elimination from this areas Serbs and their church had very active role. Following the steps of Ottoman conquests or fleeding before them they have gained rich and fertile Vojvodina and half of Bosnia . And if Croatian army haven't managed to crush their so called «serbian krajina» they would have large parts of Croatia too. This areas were also properly ethnically cleansed from non-serb population during last few decades which ensured absolute serbian majority. All of that on blood of Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Romanians, Germans and other nationalities which were present in this before Turks showed up.

This collaboration with ottomans can be seen on this maps where is obvious that the western borders of turkish conquests, western borders of serbian ethnic presence and borders of so called «greater Serbia show remarkable similarity. They match allmost completely.



Ottoman conquests on Balkans









Ethnic map of former Yugoslavia - Serbs - blue







So called "greater Serbia" plans





Conclusion is that serbian chauvinists in their "imperialistic" plans of grabbing other nations territories rely on turkish imperial heritage and anti-catholic and anti-european role of Serbian orthodox church which was allways rewarded by Ottomans for their policy of collaborating with them or at least not obstructing turkish interests.

Delusions about Serbia 1: Serbs are and allways were defending Europe against islamic menace

Because of their recent clashes with bosnian muslims and, mainly muslim, Albanians in Kosovo and supported by intensive propaganda and their false national myths between many members of SF prevailed one delusion and wrong picture of Serbs who have, allegedly, for centuries, boldly sacrificed their own lives defended rest of Europe against islamic hordes from Asia, namely Ottoman Turks. Unfortunately this is far from true.

Truth is that, in second half of 14th century, when Turkish invaders showed up on Balkans Serb led two major battles against the Ottomans. And they have lost both of them.

First large battle between Serb army and Turks took place 1371. by Černomen (greek Ormenio in the eastern eastern county of Evros) better known as the second Battle on river Maritza (in the first battle on Maritza 1363. Serbs, Bosnians, and Wallachians joined a Hungarian army under the Hungarian king, Louis the Great and marched to Edirne -formerly Adrianople. There they planned to attack Sultan Murad and the Turks. Disaster struck when the christian forces was ambushed by Turkish cavalry at the river Maritza. The christians were routed and fall back in defeat). Between 60-70.000 of serbian troops (and small number of Hungarians, Wallachians and Greeks) led by king Vukašin and his brother despot (duke) Jovan Uglješa confronted Turkish forces of 100.000 soldiers led by Rumeli begler-bey Lal-Shahin and were heavily defeated and both of serbian leaders were killed. This battle was known in turkish sources as "Sirf sindigi" (the destruction of the Serbs).

Second battle was "famous" battle on Kosovo 1389. It took place on a broad Kosovo field. Serbian Army led by "Tzar" Lazar (not realy a "tzar" but serbian nobleman Lazar Hrebeljanović) and his son-in-law, Vuk Branković numbered about 25.000 troops including 5.000 Bosnians and Croats under leadership of bosnian duke Vlatko Vuković and croatian ban (viceroy) Ivaniš Horvat. Turkish troops under sultan Murad I and his son Bayazid I numbered estimately 40.000 soldiers. Both leaders, Lazar and Murad were killed. Turkish sultan was assasined in his tent by serbian knight Miloš Obilić so his son Bayazid took his place and Lazar was captured and beheaded by the Turks. After heavy losses on both sides (but devastating for the Serbs) Turks won the battle. Most of the christian leaders and nobility were killed or driven into exile.Serbian epic songs give two contradictory reasons for the Serbian defeat: the treachery of Vuk Brankovic - which seems to have no basis in fact - and Lazar's decision before the battle to sacrifice his earthly kingdom for a heavenly kingdom, to lead his men into battle knowing what the tragic outcome was to be. Further complete Turkish domination over Serbia was achieved by Sultan Murad's successors.

This two episodes were tragicall, but certinly not shamefull for the Serbs. But what comes next is something what Serbs are systematically holding back and trying to hide by all means.

1396. only seven years after serbian defeat at Kosovo great battle of Nicopolis took place. By the town of Nicopolis on the shores of Danube river in todays Bulgaria large christian army of crusaders from all over Europe (estimations are from 49.000 to over 120.000 troops) was raised under the hungarian king Sigismund for a crusade which had to drive Turks out of Europe and free Constantinople of their pressure. On the other side of the battlefield was Turkish sultan Bayazid I with his army of (agains different numbers from 25-100.000 soldiers including 5.000 serbian heavy cavalerymen led by Stefan Lazarević, serbian despot and turkish vassal).

In the first few hours of battle developement went well for crusaders. They even managed to force turkish army to retreat. But then then made a fatal mistake. They overlooked Bayazids secret weapon which he send into battle in this moments. 5.000 fresh serbian heavy cavalerymen with crosses on their banners and under christian insignia which haven't yet took part in battle came from the back of christian troops. Crusaders were not suspicious because they saw cross signs on their banners. While the battle allready looked victorious for crusaders serbian cavalery forcibly attacked allready tired christian soldiers which found themselves between Turks and Serbs. Consequences of this "victory of serbian weapons" were devastating. Most of crusader army was killed in the battle or drawn in waters of Danube, few thousands were executed later and only small part, including king Sigismund, managed to escape. Europe had never again managed to raise such and crusade army and Turks had doors wide open for their conquest of Balkans, Romania, and Hungary. Only by Jan Sobieski's victory under the walls of Vienna, three centuries later, Turks were stopped in their advancing.

Serbs continued to fight on turkish side. In 1402. near city of Angora (todays turkish capital Ankara) another huge battle occured between Turks under sultan Bayazid I with 60.000 mostly infantery accompanied by 20.000 serbian heavy armoured cavalery led by (again) despot Stefan Lazarević and about 140.000 Turco-Mongolian and Tatar troops of Timurid Empire under the khan Timur. Both tired and thirsty Ottoman troops suffered terrible defeat. Bayazid himself was captured by Timur, humiliated in many ways and dyed imprison in 1403. Yet Stefan Lazarević and most of his soldiers managed to escape and return to Serbia.

Defeat at Angore and Bayazid's death weakened Ottomans considerably so, their "loyal" ally spoted his chance. He turned his back on Turks and become a ally of hungarian King Sigismund. Same Sigismund which was defeated few years later at Nicopolis thanks to same serbian despot Stefan. In 1404, Sigismund even gave Lazarević lands in the present-day Vojvodina (northern Serbia). With hungarian help Stefan even defeated and killed his brother-in-law Bayazid's son Musa during the battle of Despotovac (in Serbia) in 1406. After that northern part of Serbia had a few decades peace from Turkish attacks.

Next episode happened in 1444. Battle of Varna. Field near bulgarian city of Varna on Black see shore was a scene of the battle between Christian army led by polish king Wladyslaw II and Hungarian nobleman and hero Janos Hunyadi which had about 20-40.000 men and turkish sultan Murad II with his army of 60-100.000 troops. Christian army was consisting mainly of hungarian and polish soldiers with smaller number of Croat ban troops (led by ban Franko Talovac and bishop Ivan de Dominis) and also Czech, Bulgarians, Wallachians, Lithuanians, Ruthenians, Serbs and papal knights.

Crusader army was raised to help Constantinople and to push Ottomans over the Bosphorus. Unfortunately crusaders were outnumbered and after king's Wladyslaw's death defeated and with this last hope for Constantinople and survival of Byzantine empire vanished. Janos Hunyadi managed to escape to Wallachia where wallachian duke Vlad Tepes (Dracul) captured and imprisoned him.

Serbs didn't took active part in this battle yet they have considerably contributed to such a disastrous result. Namely serbian despot, Đurađ Branković stopped albanian christian leader and national hero Gjergj Castrioti - Skenderbeg and his troops (estimate number 15.000) and didn't let him pass through Serbia when he hurried to join crusaders army. He justified this act with his "obligations" by contract he made with sultan Murad.

Examples of such a serbian anti-european and anti-christian acting during history are well hidden and held back very carefully. The next four and half centuries Serbs were mostly loyal and obidient vassals serving Ottoman Empire and they were awarded for that, but about this I am going to write in next posts. This is enough for now.