The monument in the village of Velyka Dobron

The Hungarian village of Velyka Dobron (Hung: Nagydobrony), of Uzhhorod region, was founded in 1250. The first mention of the village in the literature was in 1248. The names Dobron / Dubrum / Dubron were mentioned in the materials of 1270-1282’s and it was classified as a "royal estate". In the 14th century, the village was owned by the families Dobroni and Dobruskai. In the 15th century, the families Dobo, Pereni and Darovtsi owned it. And it was owned by Princes of Transylvania from the nominal genius of Rákóczi since 1638. The army of Ferenc II Rákóczi consisted of more than 600 peasants of Velyka Dobron.

I think, the most of us, passing through the village of Velyka Dobron, kept an eye on the road in the desire not to miss a turn to Berehovo than stared at the sides to observe the figure of a man on a plinth and two plaques on the sides. In all travel references that I have ever read and even on the website of Wikipedia, this monument is called something like: «The monument to the victims of World War I».



There is a plate, with the hardly parsed inscription, the meaning of which can not be completely understood, under the monument. On the basis of those words which can be read, the meaning is something like the following: «A monument to the heroes of the village Dobron who were killed in 1914-1918». However, the phrase may sound in this way: "A monument to the heroes who died in 1914-1918, from the residents of the village Dobron".



And here the most interesting begins that is worthy of this separate article ...

As it seems to me, at least, the phrase "to the Austro-Hungarian soldiers" is omitted at the end of the title wanting to keep maximum tolerance and political correctness, when mentioning the title of this monument. If this is not done deliberately, then it is on illiteracy. Let's take a brief excursion into the history and try to understand all.

The First World War, July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918. "Central States" (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire) on the one hand, the "Entente" (Russia, France, UK + Allies) on the other. Austro-Hungarians fought shoulder to shoulder with Germany.

So, whom is a monument to? "To heroes - ententers", "To heroes - Austro-Hungarians", "To heroes - Germans " or all the same "To all heroes of the war"? Let's look at it more closely.



Do you find it difficult to identify? Does the helmet seem a little familiar? I help you. A stone statue of the moustache man-military is on the pedestal, of 45-50 years old, dressed in a greatcoat of the model - Mantel M, model of 1908, designed to be worn in winter (double-breasted, knee-length, 2 rows of 5 buttons with buttonholes on the collar). 2 pouches (for rounds) of M model (M 95) "double" for two at the bar holding 4 clips (20 rounds). The man has a steel helmet of "Berndorf" brand on the head and a five charge carbine of Manliher system, the sample of 1895, is in his hands.

Briefly, a classic warrior infantry of the Austro-Hungarian Army 1914-1918 is on the pedestal.

Now let's put it all together, using sound logic. It turns out that the monument which is in the village of Velyka Dobron is:

"The monument to the victims of World War I, heroes-soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army"...

There is a difference, you should agree. Why do I say all this? And besides that, there are dozens memorials in honor of "killed in the First World War" in Transcarpathia. Different pedestals are mounted on the top of all those which I have seen. As, for example, this one which is in the village Volovets, and the warriors of both armies lie in a mass grave under it. You see, a “swastika” (a fascist cross – symbol) is drawn in the middle. Apparently, the teens-vandals have mistaken wars on goodness of their hearts.



And here's another example. A similar "Monument to the victims of World War I" on the Uzhotskyy Pass:



Therefore, the usage of the phrase "The monument to the killed in World War I" everywhere to identify that memorial object, which was installed in the village center of Velyka Dobron, at least, is not correct, and the desired tolerance is completely innocent here.

P.S. By the way, pay attention to the dark stain running through the greatcoat over his knees. It seems that this is a slipped crack or break which has formed there. It is very similar to the "aging rock" or partially successful act of vandalism.

Attention! Before you accuse me of something and write bad comments, read this article once more when you're in good spirit, and after having a good sleep and having sex with the loved woman. I'm sure you'll notice that I’ve tried to be maximum correct and tolerant, however, expressing only my own, subjective point of view on my own site. And remember, this article is about that “They call the monument incorrectly” and about “what more monuments are on the territory of Transcarpathia”, and certainly not about what percentage of Transcarpathian population has to treat alike monuments negatively, regardless of that they are installed in the Hungarian village.

10.02.2011. 15:02

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