100 years of Franc Primožič

Franc Primožič (born 9 August 1924) was conscripted into the German army in 1942 and sent to the Eastern Front, from where he escaped to join the Soviet partisans. In 1944, he joined the 2nd Tank Brigade of the Yugoslav Partisans (NOVJ) and received training as a tank operator in the Soviet Union. Initially, he became a driver and later the commander of a T-34 tank. He participated in the breakthrough of the Srem Front and several other battles, during which his tank survived two direct hits from German anti-tank weapons. After the war, he was required to complete his military service in the Yugoslav Army and was only demobilised at the end of 1947. Considering that he spent a full three years in and around the T-34 tank, as part of the celebration of his 100th birthday, we took him for a ride in a museum example of this legendary tank at the Park of Military History.

The vibrant centenarian from Kamnik has experienced an incredible life journey, starting with his childhood when, as a pre-war refugee from the Primorska region, he relocated from Gorizia to Kamnik, to his conscription into the German army at the outbreak of the Second World War, desertion to the Soviet partisans on the Eastern Front, and subsequent service in the Yugoslav army as a tank operator. In his poignant testimony, he also touched upon the difficult post-war period, which he personally endured as a former member of the Hitler Youth and a former Soviet soldier. Despite the violent experiences of fascism, Nazism, and the post-war regime, and the numerous trials he faced as a living witness to history, Franc Primožič never lost his optimism or zest for life. Exactly one year ago, he shared his life story in the Atmosferci podcast.

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, Franc Primožič was awarded honorary membership of the Friends of the Park of Military History Association in recognition of his great support for the Park of Military History. Franc Primožič is a living witness to the historical events of an entire century, and through his testimonies, he continually reminds us of the importance of striving for peace in the world. You can read more about Franc Primožič’s centenary in the article on 24ur.com.