Spomenik združenim brigadam

Spomenik združenim brigadam

Obelisk bratstva in enotnosti se nahaja ob Cesti bratstva in enotnosti v Metliki, v parku nasproti Hotela Bela krajina. Postavljen je bil leta 1983 v čast narodno osvobodilni borbi. Avtor spomenika je arhitekt Jože Koželj. Bel, trikotni obelisk bratstva in enotnosti, s stiliziranim grbom na vrhu, je posvečen boju slovenskih, hrvaških in bosanskih partizanov, še posebej boju za Metliko, julija 1944.

Po mnogih skupnih bojih hrvaških in slovenskih partizanov v Žumberku in Beli krajini  je bila 9. julija 1944 v Metliki slavnostna parada sodelujočih enot. V prisotnosti slovenskega političnega in vojaškega vrha ter zastopnikov ameriške, angleške in sovjetske vojaške misije pri glavnem štabu NOV Slovenije je paradi poveljeval komandant 15. slovenske divizije Franc Kočevar – Ciril. Sledilo je množično zborovanje v “Rakovičevi lozi” na Svržakih. Nekaj dni pozneje je 3500 kozaških, nemških in ustaških vojakov vdrlo na osvobojeno ozemlje Bele krajine, kjer se jim je po robu postavilo 4000 hrvaških in slovenskih borcev. Sovražnik je vdrl tudi v Metliko in jo po dveh urah zapustil. Hrvaški in slovenski partizani so ohranili svobodno ozemlje Žumberka in Bele krajine.

A Monument to The Integrated Brigades

The obelisk of brotherhood and unity is located near the “Cesta bratstva in enotnosti” [Road of Brotherhood and Unity] in Metlika, in the park across from the Hotel Bela Krajina. It was erected in 1983 in the honour of the national liberation struggle. The monument was designed by Jože Koželj. A white triangular obelisk of brotherhood and unity with a stylised coat of arms at the top, is dedicated to the fight of Slovenian, Croatian, and Bosnian partisans, particularly their fight for Metlika in July of 1944.

After many joint battles of Croatian and Slovenian partisans in Žumberak and in Bela krajina, the units that took part held a ceremonial parade in Metlika on 9 July 1944 in the presence of top Slovenian political and military leaders and representatives of American, English, and Soviet military mission with the main headquarters of the Slovenian National Liberation Army. It was conducted under the command of the commander of the 15th Slovenian division Franc Kočevar – Ciril. It was followed by a mass congregation in “Rakovičeva loza” in Svržaki. A few days later. 3500 Cossack, German, and Ustashi soldiers assaulted the liberated territory of Bela Krajina, where they face 4000 Croatian and Slovenian fighters. The enemy also stormed Metlika and left it after two hours. Croatian and Slovenian partisans preserved the free territory of Žumberak and Bela krajina.