Victories of the famous "Lion of Soča"
His courage, intelligence and military strategy were crucial to the success of the Austrian army, which surprised the Italians and achieved an important victory
Baron Svetozar Borojević of Bojna (von Bojna) was a leader of exceptional courage, an outstanding strategist who left a lasting mark on regional military history. He was born in 1856 in the village of Umetić in Croatia, and became one of the most respected military leaders in the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War.
Svetozar was born into a family of Croatian noble origin. He grew up far from his parents, in military schools. He began his career as a cadet at the military school in Graz, where he quickly demonstrated exceptional military abilities.
As a young officer, he participated in numerous military operations and gradually climbed the official ladder. He was exceptionally promoted to the rank of lieutenant already in 1875.
During the First World War, Borojević gained a reputation as a top military leader. He commanded the Austro-Hungarian attack on Italy. Because of his fearless command in the bloody battles around the Soča River, near the Italian-Slovenian border, he was nicknamed the "Lion of the Soča".
As a commander, he exceeded the expectations of the military leadership and, having achieved a difficult victory at Kobarid, he received the rank of field marshal. He was the only foreigner in the Austro-Hungarian army who held that rank. - The tradition of the Croats, to keep their faith until the last breath and to fight with the courage of a lion, was brilliantly highlighted on all battlefields in this war as well. The world knows it. - said Svetozar, when awarding the award.
When he left military service at the end of the war, he applied for citizenship in the newly created Kingdom of SHS. But as a field marshal of the Austro-Hungarian army, he was undesirable and his request was rejected.
He was forbidden to return to his homeland, and because of his application for citizenship, he was also left without an Austrian military pension. His only source of income was the compensation for holders of the Military Order of Maria Theresa, and he lived very modestly.
Although his tactical decisions, discipline and excellent organization enabled the Austro-Hungarian forces to successfully deal with their opponents, Svetozar, after a sudden stroke, was buried in the city cemetery without military honors.
Only the following year, Borojević's remains were transferred to the arcades of the Vienna Central Cemetery in a grave paid for by former King Charles I.
