Meet Lepa Radić, The Badass Teenager That Died Fighting Nazis

Lepa Radić: The Teenage Heroine Who Defied the Nazis

“Shoot, you fascists! I am not a traitor!” —Lepa Radić’s last words before execution (1943)

Who Was Lepa Radić?

Born in Bosnia (1925), Lepa was a 17-year-old Yugoslav Partisan who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II. Captured in 1943, she refused to betray her comrades and was executed—becoming a symbol of defiant courage.

Her Story in Brief:

1. Joins the Resistance

   • After Nazis invaded Yugoslavia (1941), Lepa’s family aided the Partisans (anti-fascist guerrillas). By age 15, she smuggled weapons and supplies.

2. Battle of Neretva (1943)

   • Lepa helped evacuate wounded soldiers under gunfire, earning respect for her bravery.

3. Capture & Execution

   • Nazis caught her setting up a medical outpost. After days of torture, she was sentenced to death.

   • At the gallows, she was offered clemency in exchange for names of Partisans. Her response? “I am not a traitor!”

4. Legacy

   • A 1961 Soviet stamp honored her sacrifice.

   • A street in Belgrade bears her name.

   • Her story resurfaces in feminist and anti-fascist movements.

Why She Matters Today

• Symbol of Youth Resistance – Proof that age doesn’t define courage.

• Women in War – Challenges stereotypes of passive wartime roles.

• “Fascism Lost” – Her defiance echoes in modern struggles against extremism.

“They’ll kill me, but others will avenge me.” —Lepa Radić

Want to learn about other young WWII heroes like Anne Frank or Sophie Scholl? Let me know! ✊