Red Fićo
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The Red Fićo (Croatian: Crveni Fićo), officially Fićo gazi tenka! ('Fićo tramples a tank!') is a monument in Osijek, Croatia.[1] It commemorates the destruction of a Zastava 750 car (popularly known in Croatia as the Fićo) by a Yugoslav Army tank at the start of the Croatian War of Independence, an event that became a symbol of Croatian resistance. The monument, unveiled in 2011, depicts a Soviet-made T-55 tank seemingly sinking into the ground while being run over by a red Zastava 750.
| Footage of the incident | |
|---|---|
 Youtube |
Following the Croatian declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on 25 June 1991, the Yugoslav army moved into Osijek on 27 June, meeting little opposition as Croatia had no army of its own.[1] Croatian citizen Branko Breškić had followed the Yugoslav tanks entering the town and overtook them in his Zastava 750 to try to halt their advance. Breškić stopped his car at the intersection between Vukovarska Street and Trpimira Street in front of the advancing column, and got out of the vehicle. The lead tank was a T-55 driven by another Croatian, Josip Ilić. He was ordered at gunpoint by his Yugoslav tank commander to drive over the empty car and he did so, destroying it.[2] This was one of the first attacks by the Yugoslav forces against civilians in Croatia during the War of Independence.[3]
Footage of the event was recorded by reporter Žarko Plevnik and broadcast worldwide, becoming a symbol of Croatian resistance.[4][2][5] Breškić went on to enlist in the Croatian Army and fought in the war, being wounded several times.[1]
