Republika Srpska: Jasenovac concentration camp

The camp Jasenovac was the largest concentration camp in the Independent State of Croatia in the territory of occupied Yugoslavia during World War II. Formed in August 1941 in the vicinity of the town of the same name, and destroyed by the Ustasha on April 1945. "Working Jasenovac concentration camp," as it is called by Croatian state administration, was a scaffold for Serbs, Roma and Jews, of all ages, sexes, ages, social, educational and other fields, as well as for the communists, supporters and sympathizers of Serbs, Roma and Jews.

During and since World War II, there has been much debate and controversy regarding the number of victims killed at the Jasenovac concentration camp complex in its more than 3½ years of operation. Gradually, in the 15 years after the war ended, a figure of 700,000 began to reflect conventional wisdom, although estimates range between 350,000 and 800,000.

At night 21/22 April 1945, the last part of the male prisoners decided to attempt to break out of the camp, knowing that they will be killed tomorrow. From 1200 of them breakthrough survived the approximately 107 detainees. The same day, a few hours later began breakthrough of detainees from Kozara. Of these 176 only 11 saved themselves.
In the abandoned town Jasenovac and near destroyed camp, 2 and 3 May 1945, first entered the shooting troops of the 1st Battalion 4th Brigade XXI Serbian People's Liberation Division of the Yugoslav Army. Battalion who entered the Jasenovac was given the task to preserve the traces of the crime until the arrival of the State Commission for the Investigation of the Crimes occupiers.

Authors: MA Božzidar Došenović and Nebojšsa Đumić
Publisher: Poste Srpske a.d. Banjaluka