Fight in Velika Hoča (May 25, 1905)

On May 25, 1905, there was a fight in Velika Hoča (борба у Великој Хочи) between the Serbian Chetnik Organization, a Serbian rebel faction, and Ottoman irregulars from Orahovac.

Prelude
The Fight on Čelopek (April 16, 1905), fought between 120 Serbian guerillas and Ottoman officers accompanied by Ottoman Albanian bashi-bozuks, ended in a great victory after the guerillas managed to overtake three peaks; the Ottomans had over 200 dead and wounded, while the guerillas only had 2 dead. The victory enraged the Ottomans, who began manhunting the rebels. The rebels were forced to retreat across the border, and the bands were dispersed.

Fighting
On the Feast of the Ascension, Lazar Kujundžić's band appeared in Velika Hoča. They were received by Arnaut Lanja Ukin who had given them his word (besa) that nothing would happen to them in his house, however, he immediately alarmed the Turks in Orahovac who surrounded them. They set the house on fire. The Chetniks shot back and sung Chetnik songs. The Turks brought Lazar's mother to recognize him for them, but she did not, in order to save her village and family.