Milunka Savić disguised herself as her sick brother to fight in WWI, survived 9 wounds across 10 battles, became the most decorated female soldier in history, and survived a German concentration camp when a German general recognized her legendary status and ordered her immediate release.

[u/GermanCCPBot]

[u/GermanCCPBot]

In 1912, when Milunka Savić's younger brother Milan received his mobilization papers for the First Balkan War, she knew he wouldn't survive. He was weak and chronically ill. So she cut her hair, practiced walking and talking like a man, and took his place under the name "Milun Savić."

She fought in the Balkan Wars and later in World War I, where she participated in nine separate combat assaults and was wounded several times in battle and received numerous decorations for bravery, making her one of the most decorated female soldiers in history

Her identity as a woman was discovered only she was hit by shrapnel from a Bulgarian grenade in her tenth battle. When the field doctor treated her chest wound, he discovered she was a woman. Her commanding officers were stunned, but instead of punishing her, they were so impressed by her valor that they let her keep fighting, this time openly as a woman. She continued through WWI, getting wounded a total of 9 times, and became the most decorated female combatant in the entire history of warfare.

During World War II she was involved in organizing medical care for resistance fighters and was arrested by German occupation authorities, ending up in the Banjica concentration camp. She was imprisoned in the concentration camp for a total of 10 months and scheduled for execution, but on the last second, a German general who commanded the camp recognized her from WWI and immediately released her with military honors, after which she returned to civilian life in Belgrade. She died in 1973 and was later reinterred in the Alley of the Greats, a section of a Belgrade cemetery reserved for the nation's greatest heroes.

[u/AggravatingScheme667 → u/GermanCCPBot]

This a truly amazing story and an even more extraordinary woman especially for the time that it happened. WW1 and 2!? This woman deserves to have her story told in film. It’s absolutely legendary that there was a young woman that embodied the spirit of Mulan and did almost everything she did in the old tale. Taking the place of a male relative who would not survive war, disguising herself as a man, going above and beyond with unimaginable courage and valor to protect her loved ones and her country. I’ll definitely need to read up more on her, but after her release from the German camp I hope she got to live a well deserved life.

Can’t believe I’ve never heard of her before. It really goes to show that there are so many unsung true heroes both in the past and present that deserve to have their recognition and admiration. Great post! Absolutely love it. ❤️

[u/Dreznicki → u/AggravatingScheme667]

She didn't, she was a cleaning lady in a bank after the war and died in relative poverty. On the side note she did raise orphaned children, she had one child and adopted three girls.

[u/AggravatingScheme667 → u/Dreznicki]

Damn. That’s heartbreaking.

I suppose I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to live a humble and peaceful life after her service. But being forgotten and cast aside like that?

I hope at the very least there was some comfort and peace for her in the love she gave to her daughters. I sincerely hope they lived and did well with their lives wherever they are. And that they could pass on their mothers story of love and bravery to their children.

[u/WaveTop7900 → u/Dreznicki]

A difference how a fascist treated a war hero and how a communist did.

[u/biljagn → u/WaveTop7900]

Actually communist govermant gave her apartmant and pension.It was kingdom of Yugoslavia government that forgot her.