Figure 1.--Here we see Momčilo Gavrić and another soldier reporting to major Stevan Tucović in 1916. Note the boy's militay bearing.

One particularly notable orphan was Momčilo Gavrić (Момчило Гаврић). Momčilo was born in Trbušnica (1906). This was a small senic villahe near Loznica, on the slopes of the Gučevo mountain. This is a mountain in western Serbia overlooking the Drina River-- a storied river in Serbian history. Momčilo's parents were Alimpije and Jelena Gavrić. He was the eighth of eleven children. Momčilo was the youngest known soldier fighting in World War I. He became a soldier when he was 8 years old (1914). It was not uncommon for young boys to participate in wars through the 19th century, but at the time of World War I, this convention was being phased out. The Russins abd other European countries had a tradition of 'sons of the regiment' which would be revived duing World War II because of German barbarities in the Ostkrieg. Some quarter million youths (boys below age 18) participated in World War I. For the most part these were boys 16-17 years old, but there were some younger boys as well. Gučevo mountain was the site of Battle of Gučevo fought between the Serbian and Austro-Hungarian armies in the opening phase of World War I (August 1914). Americans generally focus on the Western Front when discussing World War I, but a few days brfore the Germns invaded Belgium, the Austrins invaded Serbia, retaoliating for the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinnd (July 1914). Austrian soldiers of 42nd Croatian Home Guard Infantry Division brutally treated Serbian civilans. They maimed and then hanged Momčilo's father, mother, grandmother, three sisters, and four of his brothers. Their house was burned to the ground. It is not clear why they did this, but historic differences between Crosts and Serbs which have not been extinguished to this day may have been involved. A horrified Momčilo was uninjured because he was not at home at the time. His father had sent him on an erand to his uncle. Momčilo was taken in by the 6th Artillery Division of the Royal Serbian Army which was posditioned near Gučevo. Major Stevan Tucović, brother of Dimitrije Tucović took in Momčilo after learning wht had happened to his famoily. Miloš Mišović, a soldier in the 6th Artillery Divisdion was assigned to be Momčilo's caretaker. Momčilo identified the location of the Austro-Hungarian unit who were then bombarded. After the subequent Battle of Cer (August 1914), Momčilo was promoted to corporal and given a uniform. TYhe 6th Artillery Division fell back as part of the Great Serbian Retreat and was trasported to Thessaloniki by the British. Major Tucović sent him to Sorovits where he hastily completed through the equivalent the four grades of primary education and then was basck with his adopted unit in Kajmakčalan, a mountain on the border between Greece and at the time Serbia, now North Macedonia. The Serbs were apart of an allied force that was being form to drive north and liberate Serbia. There Serbian Field Marshal Mišić was stunned to find a uniformed 10 ten-year-old boy in his trenches (1916). Major Tucović recounted Momčilo's history and ythat tyhe boy had been with his unit since the Battle of Cer. He had been taught military discipline and been wounded. Mišić promoted Momčilo to Lance Sergeant in a ceremony before the entire division. After the War, Momčilo got into trouble. First with the Royal Yugoslav Government for claiming to be veteran when he reached conscription age. Then during World War II with the NAZIs. We are not sure why the NAZIs arested him. And then the Communists after World War II arrested him for his pronounced, rather understandable, ethinic biases.

Family

One particularly notable orphan was Momčilo Gavrić (Момчило Гаврић). Momčilo was born in Trbušnica (1906). This was a small senic villahe near Loznica, on the slopes of the Gučevo mountain. This is a mountain in western Serbia overlooking the Drina River-- a storied river in Serbian history. Momčilo's parents were Alimpije and Jelena Gavrić. He was the eighth of eleven children. Momčilo was the youngest known soldier fighting in World War I. He became a soldier when he was 8 years old (1914).

Boys in the Militry

It was not uncommon for young boys to participate in wars through the 19th century, but at the time of World War I, this convention was being phased out. The Russins abd other European countries had a tradion of 'sons of the regiment' which would be revived duing World War II because of German barbrities in the Ostkrieg. Some quater million youths (bioys below age 18) participated in World WarI. For the most part these were boys 16-17 years old, but there were some younger boys as well. Pre-teens were an exception.

Austrian Atrocity

Gučevo mountain was the site of Battle of Gučevo fought between the Serbian and Austro-Hungarian armies in the opening phase of World War I (August 1914). Americans genrlly fovus on the Western Front when discussing World War I, but a few days brfore the Germns invaded Belgium, the Austrins invaded Serbia, retaoliating for the assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinnd (July 1914). Austrian soldiers of 42nd Croatian Home Guard Infantry Division brutally treated Serbian civilans. They maimed and then hanged Momčilo's father, mother, grandmother, three sisters, and four of his brothers. Their house was burned to the ground. It is not clear why they did this, but historic differences between Crosts and SDerbs which have not been extinguished to this day may have been involved.

Adopted (1914)

A horrified Momčilo was uninjured because he was not at home at th time. His father had sent him on an erand to his uncle. He did not know wht to do, but headed way from the Austrians, Momčilo was taken in by the 6th Artillery Division of the Royal Serbian Army which was positioned near Gučevo. He becme 'The son of the Division'. A Major Stevan Tucović, brother of Dimitrije Tucović took in Momčilo after learning what had happened to his famoily. Miloš Mišović, a soldier in the 6th Artillery Divisdion was assigned to be Momčilo's caretaker. Momčilo identified the location of the Austro-Hungarian unit who were then bombarded. He was given control of one of the Serbian batterie. It was seen as an act of personal revenge for the murder of his family. Days later came the bloody Battle of Cer (August 1914). The outnumbered Serb Arnmy resuisted the Austrian invsaion. Some 15,000 men were killed and 50,000 wounded and captured TheAustriand suffered particularly heavy losses and were driven back. Austria had been one of Europe's great powers. This battle exposed its military weakness by the time of World War I. Momčilo for his part was promoted to corporal and given a uniform.

Mackensen Offensive (1915-16)

The Austrians after failing to defeat the Serbs in 1914 renewed their offensive in 1915. It was planned by Field Marshll Anton Ludwig Friedrich August von Mackensen (1849 – 1945). He became one of the German Empire's most prominent and competent military commanders. The Mackensen Offensive reinforced the Austriabs with German units as weil as the Bulgarians opening a new front in the south (1915). The Serbian Army was defeated, but the Serbian Government reduced to capitulate. The country was occupied. The 6th Artillery Division fell back as part of the Great Serbian Retreat slso called the 'Albanian Golgotha' toward the Adriatic coast (1916). They had to cross Albanian mountains in terrible winter weather. Many died, espcially the civilans who accomppanied them. Reportedly, during the retreat his caretaker and friend, Milos Misovic, collapsed due to exhaustion and asked Momčilo to go on without him. He refused and curled up next to his friend in the snow, which was a gesture that gave Misovic the spirit to continue. Some 400,000 men began ythe trek, but only 180,000 reached the coast. British Royal Navy transported the nen to Corfu and than on to Thessaloniki to continue the War. Most countries asfter such a defeat and the occupation of their country capitulated--but not the Serbs.

Thessaloniki (1917-18)

The Serbian Army was trasported to Thessaloniki by the British Royal Navy. Major Tucović sent him to Sorovits where he hastily completed through the equivalent the four grades of primary education and then was basck with his adopted unit in Kajmakčalan, a mountain on the border between Greece and at the time Serbia, now North Macedonia. The Serbs were apart of an allied force that was being form to drive north and liberate Serbia. There Serbian Field Marshal Mišić was stunned to find a uniformed 10 ten-year-old boy in his trenches (1916). Major Tucović recounted Momčilo's history and that the boy had been with his unit since the Battle of Cer. He had been taught military discipline and was wounded during the fighting. Mišić promoted Momčilo to Lance Sergeant in a ceremony before the entire division.

Post-War Experiences

After the war, Major Stevan Tucović saw to it that Momčilo completed his formal education. He got a British scholarship for war orphans and enrolled to study in Henry Wreight School in Faversham, Kent. After graduating (1921), he returned to Serbia/Yugoslavia and was reunited with his three brothers who had survived. Momčilo continued to lead an evntful life. After the War, Momčilo got into trouble. First with the Royal Yugoslav Government for claiming to be veteran when he reached conscription age (1929). Then during World War II with the NAZIs. He had as job wotrking for a Jewish craftsman. Apprently the NAZOs sssumed he was also Jewish (1943). And finally the Communists after World War II he was arrested for his pronounced, rather understandable, ethinic biases.

Created: 5:48 AM 4/15/2022
Last updated: 5:48 AM 4/15/2022