Executed By The Nazis At Age 17, Lepa Radić Was Tougher Than All Of Us.
In the heart of what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the small village of Gašnica near Bosanska Gradiška, a girl was born in 1925 who would come to embody the spirit of resistance against fascism. Lepa Radić was not destined for an ordinary life. By the age of 17, she would become a symbol of defiance, courage, and unwavering commitment to the struggle for freedom. Her name would be spoken with reverence by generations of Yugoslavs, and her story would inspire resistance movements and human rights activists worldwide.
A Childhood Shaped by Struggle
Lepa grew up in a politically conscious household. The Radić family were firm communists who opposed the growing influence of fascism in the region. Her uncle, a committed militant in the labour movement, was deeply involved in organising workers, and his activism had a profound impact on young Lepa. From an early age, she was studious, hardworking, and perceptive—traits that would serve her well in the years to come.
By 1940, as the world hurtled towards the full-scale devastation of the Second World War, Lepa became actively involved in political movements. She joined the League of Communist Youth of Yugoslavia (SKOJ), a sister organisation to the Young Communist League. By the age of 15, she was already a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, committed to its ideals of antifascism and social justice.
The Nazi Invasion and the Rise of the Partisan Resistance
Lepa was just 15 years old when, in April 1941, the Axis powers launched a brutal invasion of Yugoslavia. The swift occupation of the Balkans was a strategic move, clearing the way for Hitler’s ultimate goal: the invasion of the Soviet Union. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia, unable to withstand the combined assault from Germany, Italy, and Hungary, capitulated in just 11 days. The country was partitioned, and the Independent State of Croatia, a puppet state of Nazi Germany, was established. This regime, led by the fascist Ustaše, unleashed terror upon the population, particularly targeting Serbs, Jews, and communists.
But the occupation was met with resistance. In June 1941, as the Nazis advanced deep into Soviet territory, the first detachments of what would become the Yugoslav Partisans emerged. Led by Josip Broz Tito, the Partisans quickly grew into one of the most effective resistance movements in occupied Europe. Unlike many other guerrilla groups, the Yugoslav Partisans were not just a military force; they were an ideological movement, fighting not just against foreign occupation but for a socialist revolution.
Lepa’s family was deeply involved in this struggle. Both her father and uncle joined the Partisans, and their commitment soon drew the attention of the Ustaše. In November 1941, the Radić family was arrested by fascist collaborators. Lepa herself was detained, but she was not destined to remain in captivity for long. On 23 December 1941, with the aid of undercover Partisan operatives, she made a daring escape.
Rather than seek refuge, she made a fateful decision: she would not only join the Partisans but would actively fight alongside them.
A Teenage Warrior
At just 16 years old, Lepa joined the 7th Company of the 2nd Krajina Detachment. She took on a variety of roles—courier, saboteur, and later, frontline fighter. She was known for her determination and discipline, and she quickly gained the respect of her older, more experienced comrades. She participated in sabotage missions, helped transport wounded fighters, and took part in daring operations to disrupt enemy supply lines.
Her defining moment came during the Axis ‘Case White’ offensive in early 1943. This operation, a massive anti-Partisan campaign, sought to crush the resistance in Yugoslavia once and for all. The German Wehrmacht, alongside Italian, Ustaše, and Chetnik forces, launched a brutal assault on the Partisans. Despite being heavily outgunned, the Partisans fought fiercely, retreating strategically to preserve their forces.
During this time, Lepa played a crucial role in the Battle of Neretva, one of the most significant engagements of the war. She was tasked with transporting wounded fighters from the battlefield, often under heavy fire. But she also showed her bravery in direct combat. In February 1943, during a mission to evacuate women and children from a village encircled by German forces, she and her comrades fought to the last bullet. Eventually, she was captured by SS troops.
Defiance in the Face of Death
Lepa was taken to Bosanska Krupa, where she was interrogated for three days. The Nazis, aware of her connections within the Partisan ranks, demanded that she reveal the identities and locations of her comrades. She endured brutal torture, but she refused to betray them.
Her captors, frustrated by her defiance, decided to make an example of her. On 8 February 1943, she was led to the gallows before a crowd of villagers and German soldiers. Even in the face of death, she remained defiant.
A German officer, hoping to extract information in exchange for her life, offered her a final chance: if she revealed the names of her fellow Partisans, she could live. Lepa’s response would become legendary:
“I am not a traitor to my people. Those whom you inquire about will reveal themselves once they have eradicated every single one of you evildoers.”
With that, she was executed, a noose tightening around the neck of a girl who had never backed down. But her final words rang through the square:
“Long live the Communist Party and Partisans! Fight, people, for your freedom! Do not surrender to the evildoers! I will be killed, but there are those who will avenge me!”
Lepa Radić's Legacy of Resistance
Lepa Radić’s execution did not break the resistance—it strengthened it. The Yugoslav Partisans continued their fight, eventually liberating the country from Axis control. By 1945, Josip Broz Tito had led Yugoslavia to independence, and the Partisans emerged victorious.
In 1951, Lepa was posthumously awarded the Order of the People’s Hero, the highest honour of Yugoslavia. Her name became synonymous with courage, her story taught in schools, and her image appearing on murals and in history books.
Her legacy endures far beyond Yugoslavia. Lepa Radić is remembered not just as a teenage warrior but as a symbol of unyielding resistance against tyranny. Her story continues to inspire those who fight for justice, proving that even in the darkest of times, a single voice of defiance can echo through history.