---
|
Ronnie Pereversov
An Anglo-Canadian volunteer who had served in both the British and Rhodesian Armies in the late 1970's, Ronnie was part way through his service in the Legion Etrangere when he deserted to fight in Bosnia. During his first tour with 108 Brigade (Bosanski Brod) HVO in the Posavina pocket in 1992, he became a popular leader and accomplished sniper, and was wounded in action, shot in the leg. He later gave himself up to serve out the rest of his contract with the Legion. That completed, he returned again to the fighting in south-western Bosnia during 1994, joining up with the Viking Vod of the King Tomislav Brigade HVO in Gornji Vakuf. Mainly using the RPG-7 rocket launcher in battle, he received a field commission from his brigade commander for his valuable services. Both in 108. Brigade and in the King Tomislav Brigade, Ronnie demonstrated the rare skill of being able to weld volunteers of very diverse nations and experience into workable military units that performed very satisfactorily in action with the enemy. In particular he is remembered for his clear, effective instructions and his physical training regimes that prepared so many for the rigours of mountain-based fighting. The following year he transferred to the 1st Guards Brigade (Ante Bruno Busic) HVO. He was shot whilst asleep, reportedly by a British volunteer whom Ronnie had recently uncovered masquerading as an ex-Legionaire in the village of Zupanja near Mostar in 1995. Ronnie was a true International Volunteer who chose the profession of arms for the comradeship it brought rather than for any personal financial gain. He was universally popular, described by colleagues variously as an "excellent soldier and gentleman" and as "a great man."
|
All material © Copyright 2010, Croatian Forces International Volunteers Association
Material may not be reproduced in any shape or form, by any means graphic, electrical, electronic
or mechanical in any country without the prior permission in writing of the Association.
Click here to contact us