There were also accounts of Serbian forces engaging in ethnic cleansing during the wars. They forcibly removed non - Serbian populations from their homes, often through violent means. This included looting, arson of houses, and attacks on civilians. The aim was to change the ethnic composition of certain areas to create a more 'Serbian - only' territory.
The Srebrenica massacre is a very tragic and well - documented Serbian war crime. Srebrenica was a UN - declared 'safe area' in Bosnia. However, Bosnian Serb forces, led by Ratko Mladić, overran the area. They separated the men and boys from the women and children. Then, they systematically executed around 8,000 Bosniak men and boys. This was a horrific act of genocide. The international community was slow to react, and it took years for justice to start being served. Mladić was finally arrested and put on trial for his crimes.
A common theme is national identity. Serbian short stories often explore what it means to be Serbian, with elements of history, culture, and language playing important roles.
There is also the story of the Headless Horseman in Serbian folklore. It's a spooky tale where a horseman without a head rides through the night, terrifying those who encounter him. The story might have been influenced by similar tales from other cultures but has its own Serbian twist. The horseman is often associated with dark and desolate areas, and his appearance is considered a bad omen.
The settings are often very distinct. They are typically set in the Serbian landscape, which could be the beautiful countryside or the unique urban areas of Serbia. This gives a strong sense of place.
Magic and the supernatural are also popular themes. In stories like 'The Golden Apple Tree', there are magical elements such as the golden apples themselves. These elements add an air of mystery and wonder to the stories, which can fuel a child's imagination. It makes the world of the story seem full of possibilities and helps children think outside the box.
Branko Ćopić is another author with great Serbian short stories. His stories are rich in local color, depicting the unique traditions, superstitions, and ways of life in Serbia. Reading his works gives you a vivid picture of the Serbian landscape and the characters that inhabit it.
Another aspect is the alleged mistreatment of prisoners of war. There have been accounts where POWs were not given proper medical treatment and living conditions. In a war, prisoners should be treated humanely according to the Geneva Conventions, and these reported actions go against such principles. It's important to note that these stories are based on various reports, and investigations are ongoing to verify the full extent of what has occurred.
One of the well - known Japanese war crime stories is the Nanjing Massacre. In 1937, the Japanese army brutally slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Chinese civilians in Nanjing. They carried out mass killings, rapes, and looting without any mercy.
The Nanjing Massacre is extremely shocking. The scale of the killing was enormous, with entire families wiped out. The brutality shown by the Japanese soldiers was beyond comprehension.