Cerkno, First Meeting of the Vojkove Brigade

The plate is rectangular in shape (60 x 35 cm) made of hotaveljski marble with an engraved coloured inscription. The date in the inscription is disputed. Different sources mention 26 September, 27 September, 29 September and 1 October.

»The 16th Slovene People's Liberation Brigade first gathered on 26 September 1943 on the courtyard of the military barracks in Cerkno. This historical day is described by the brigade's chronicler Andrej Pagon-Ogarev in the brigade's chronicle as follows: «On 26 IX 1943 was a great day in Cerkno. On the courtyard of the military barracks were gathered three battalions. On the faces of all there was a certain tense expectation. Something great, historical, was about to happen. But already the number itself is worth recording for Cerkno on its historical list. For the first time in centuries was the brigade of Slovenian soldiers gathered here. The faces of these soldiers radiate pride and self-confidence…»« (source: S. Petelin, Vojkova brigada)

The first commander was appointed as Milan Tominc, and the commissar was Henrik Zdešar. At its establishment, the brigade had three battalions of 150 to 180 fighters and a unit with heavy weaponry. A month later, the brigade received a fourth battalion. It was incorporated into the 31st division and carried out many important military tasks until the battles for the liberation of Trieste. In the battles, it lost nearly 500 fighters, among them three national heroes: Venceslav Zevnik, Mihael Škapin and Jože Mihevč.

Date of unveiling: 27 IX 1958

Photo: Miloš Kermavnar