17.09.2014
Promotion of the book "Toplica Iron Regiment"
In the ceremonial hall of the Central Military Club, the book "The Toplica Iron Regiment 'Prince Mihailo'" by military historian Mirko Dobricanin, whose third edition just came out of the press, was presented. Promotion of the book, which significantly contributed to the better insight of the public into the role and involvement of one of the most important units of the Serbian Army in the liberation wars from 1912 to 1918, was attended by hundreds of book and history lovers, as well as good connoisseurs of Toplica and Toplica region.On about 600 pages, the book presents in a novelistic style, supported by documents, photographs and testimonies, the most important combat actions, extreme efforts, heroic deeds and legendary exploits of morally incomparable solid, unwavering and loyal soldiers, members of the Second Infantry Regiment of the first call, the regiment which, among about 100 regiments mobilized during the Serbian liberation wars was the only to take honourable and binding name "iron regiment".
Toplica iron regiment participated in all the wars from 1912 to 1918, and its members, people from 21 to 31 years of age, took the greatest number of Serbian and foreign war medals. There were 208 holders of Karadjordje star with swords fighting in its ranks, 36 of which were double-holders of that top Serbian war medal. It gained its immortal glory in battle of Bregalnica, in the Second Balkan War, when, after winning the elevation 650, it broke through the Bulgarian front. In just twenty-four hours, in this battle, the regiment lost more than eight hundred soldiers or as in the entire war with the Turks in 1912.
Speakers about the book, a kind of monument to all the warriors of the regiment and families from which they came, were Radule Jovanovic, reviewer, Radisav Ristic and Zvonko Pesic, publicists and journalists, Mirko Mrkic, publisher, and the author. Pointing out that the "Prince Mihailo" Iron Regiment, from a total of 16 thousand soldiers that have passed through its ranks during the six years of war, lost more than half of the men, the promoters of the book, from their points of view, testified about the efforts of the author to faithfully, graphically and substantially, show the legendary heroism of the members of the famous unit, formed mostly of peasants from Toplice region. Freedom, as the speakers emphasized, was an inexhaustible driving force which kept the heroes of the 2nd Infantry Regiment at battle positions even when they were almost gone, fatally wounded.Heroism of the members of Toplica Iron Regiment became legendary even during battles, to receive, a century later, a homage in a monumental work that worships the spirits of their courage. Presenting the work of Mirko Dobricanin, promoters were unanimous in their opinion that through this book the glory of Toplica Iron Regiment continues to live also in the generations to come. Even more so because the third edition of this valuable monograph contains a chapter on the Third SAF Army Brigade, which continues the tradition of the famous Toplica Iron Regiment.
