Lepa Radić: The Brave European Female Resistance Fighter who was Executed on Camera

Lepa Radić was born on December 19, 1925, in the village of Gasnica, near Bosanska Gradiška, in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina. She grew up in a politically tumultuous time, with Yugoslavia undergoing significant social and political upheaval.

Resistance Activities and Capture

As Nazi forces tightened their grip on Yugoslavia during World War II, Radić, inspired by her older sisters who were active in the resistance movement, joined the Yugoslav Partisans at the young age of 15. She participated in various sabotage and guerrilla operations aimed at disrupting enemy activities and supporting the resistance effort.

In 1943, Lepa Radić was captured by German forces. She was subjected to brutal interrogation and offered a pardon if she disclosed information about her comrades. Despite facing imminent execution, Radić remained steadfast in her commitment to her cause and her comrades.

The Defiant Stand

Facing the gallows, Lepa Radić was given one last chance to save herself by revealing the names of her fellow resistance fighters. Her response echoed through history with unwavering defiance: "I am not a traitor of my people. Those whom you are asking about will reveal themselves when they have succeeded in wiping out all you evildoers, to the last man."

Picture shows the exact moment Lepa Radić was saying: "I am not a traitor of my people. Those whom you are asking about will reveal themselves when they have succeeded in wiping out all you evildoers, to the last man."

Execution and Legacy

On February 8, 1943, at just 17 years old, Lepa Radić was executed by hanging in Bosanska Krupa. Her bravery and resolve in the face of unimaginable adversity made her a symbol of Yugoslav resistance against Nazi occupation. Her refusal to betray her comrades and her fearless defiance in the face of death inspired countless others to continue the fight against tyranny.

Lepa Radić's body left hanging by the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen members

Lepa Radić's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who cherish freedom and resist oppression. Unfortunately, love for democracy and freedom is not the case in the locations Lepa has fought and died, such todays Yugoslav countries of Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia. Major politicians in these countries have destroyed all her statues and erased the name from the history books, however she remains a revered figure in hearts of the people of Yugoslavia and beyond, remembered for her selflessness, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice and liberation.