Jean-Michel Nicollier from France, Croatian defender.
Photo from the Vukovar Hospital in 1991. He was assasinated  in a mass grave of Ovčara near the city of Vukovar
together with other 200 wounded from the hospital.

Source of videos: croatie.aceboard.fr

So Far (July 2010) The USDDR has a list of 481 confirmed volunteers, of which 72 were Killed in Action (above)
and at least 88 were wounded; many severely. Source domovinskirat.weebly.com/roll-of-honour.html

About Foreign volunteers. Who are we? As the twentieth century drew to a close communist ideology finally collapsed, and countries that had spent half a century under oppressive dictatorships now emerged to take their rightful place in the free world. Croatia was such a country, a nation and a people who had kept alive an unfulfilled dream of independence and freedom for hundreds of years. But unlike most of eastern europe, that long denied dream would still require years of struggle and sacrifice against a dictatorship that still held on to its past. Croatia's towns, cities and villages were shelled relentlessly from air,land and sea. The county's religious and cultural symbols were slowly and deliberately being destroyed in the quest for a "Greater Serbia". The International Community looked on and did nothing to halt the gross military imbalance, blatant Serbian aggression and the Armies advancing into Croatia, "cleansing" civilian areas as well as military targets as it went. We watched those pictures on television and heard politicians talk of ceasefires whilst Serb paramilitaries marched through Croatian towns. Disgusted by the inability of the international community and our own governments to halt the slaughter, individuals rose to the challenge from every civilised nation, setting aside political, ideological and cultural differences. Most protested, raised funds or conducted humanitarian operations. Many went further to help. Volunteering to fight for Croatia, bringing with them the will to fight for another county's freedom and the courage to stay and win it. They were welded by a shared purpose; the prevention of murder, rape and the wholesale destruction of civilian property and cultural heritage. Individuals stood when their own countries turned their backs. These individuals became known as the Foreign Volunteers. Present in every front-line brigade, volunteers could be found on all of Croatia's five fronts as well as in the overcrowded hospitals of Zagreb. We were an enormous boost to civilian morale and our presence in battered front-line towns brought resolve to exhausted defenders. And a realisaton that Croatia did have its allies. We helped reorganise defensive positions and stiffened crumbling units. We fought as front-line infantry and taught on the job military skills to men who weeks before were ordinary civilians going about their business. In return we learned their language, received their hospitality and gained mutual respect. When Bosnia became the next target of the Yugoslav Army and its Serb paramilitaries the Foreign Volunteers headed south in order to help the Forces of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) in defending its land. Many volunteers paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives. 63 men were killed in action and 74 injured, a 30% casualty rate. Their sacrifice helped win independence and freedom for Croatia, after five years of war. 447 Foreign Volunteers from 35 different countries Killed in action ( K.I.A. ) = 63 (for newer information see the above list; D.®.) Wounded in action ( W.I.A.) = 74 England (139) = 15 killed , 20 wounded Germany (53) = 14 killed , 8 wounded France (67) = 8 killed , 20 wounded USA (18) = 3 Killed , 1 wounded Hungaria (33) = 2 killed , 5 wounded Austria (10) = 2 killed , 1 wounded The Netherlands (27) = 2 killed , 2 wounded Italy (7) = 2 killed , 1 wounded Canada (7) = 2 killed Switzerland (4) = 2 killed Belgium (4) = 1 killed , 1 wounded Australia (15) = 1 killed , 2 wounded Portugal (2) = 1 Killed Ukraine (1) = 1 killed Slovakia (4) = 1 killed , 1 wounded Ireland (10) = 1 killed , 2 wounded Scotland (5) = 1 killed , 2 wounded Bulgaria (2) = 1 killed Rhodesia (1) = 1 Killed Danmark (4) = 1 Killed Gambia (1) = 1 Killed Finland (3) = 2 wounded Chile (1) = 1 wounded Spain (4) = 2 wounded Poland (8) = 1 wounded Sweden (3) = 1 wounded Wales (4) = 1 wounded The list is not complete. For example, Ukraine (2 killed), Estonia (1 killed) should be added to the list. Also, it does not include countries from which nobody was killed or wounded. (D.®.) USDDR - Udruga Stranih Dragovoljaca Domovinskog Rata 1991 - 1995 / Hrvatska - Bosna USDDR - Association of Foreign Volunteers of the Croatian Homeland War 1991 - 1995 / Croatia - Bosnia USDDR - Association des volontaires etranger de la guerre patriotique . Croatie / Bosnie - 1991-95

From the Vukovar Cemetery where Croatian defenders are buried.

Alfred Hill, born in Vukovar, and Blago Zadro were killed the same day.

Association of Foreign Volunteers of the Homeland War 1991-1995

Videos

About the USDDR The USDDR is a non political organisation consisting of foreign volunteers who fought against Serb aggression in the war in former Yugoslavia.  So far there are almost 500 confirmed names of foreigners from every part of the world who fought in Croatia and Bosnia. Our Aims Our aim is to remind the world of our contribution and sacrifice for a countrys independence, to get rid of the myth of foreign volunteers as "mercenaries", also we aim to get recognition from the Croatian authorities and have the same rights as Croatian veterans. Vukovar Every November the members and friends of the USDDR meet up in Vinkovci, Croatia.  We attend the national Vukovar remembrance parade as well as our own remembrance ceremonies; at Ovcara, where 200 people incuding Ivan Herman (Austria) and Jean-Michel Nicolier (France) were executed following the fall of Vukovar. Also we have a ceremony in Vinkovci itself where we remember the foreigners killed in action. Source domovinskirat.weebly.com/about-us.html "This organisation represents all foreign volunteers who fought, risked or gave their life for the freedom and independance of Croatia " Croatia - Bosnia / 1991 - 1995 As the twentieth century drew to a close communist ideology finally collapsed, and countries that had spent half a century under oppressive dictatorships now emerged to take their rightful place in the free world. Croatia was such a country, a nation and a people who had kept alive an unfulfilled dream of independence and freedom for hundreds of years. But unlike most of eastern europe, that long denied dream would still require years of struggle and sacrifice against a dictatorship that still held on to its past. Croatia's towns, cities and villages were shelled relentlessly from air,land and sea. The county's religious and cultural symbols were slowly and deliberately being destroyed in the quest for a "Greater Serbia". The International Community looked on and did nothing to halt the gross military imbalance, blatant Serbian aggression and the Armies advancing into Croatia, "cleansing" civilian areas as well as military targets as it went. We watched those pictures on television and heard politicians talk of ceasefires whilst Serb paramilitaries marched through Croatian towns. Disgusted by the inability of the international community and our own governments to halt the slaughter, individuals rose to the challenge from every civilised nation, setting aside political, ideological and cultural differences. Most protested, raised funds or conducted humanitarian operations. Many went further to help. Volunteering to fight for Croatia, bringing with them the will to fight for another county's freedom and the courage to stay and win it. We were welded by a shared purpose; the prevention of murder, rape and the wholesale destruction of civilian property and cultural heritage. Individuals stood when their own countries turned their backs. We individuals became known as the Foreign Volunteers. Present in every front-line brigade, volunteers could be found on all of Croatia's five fronts as well as in the overcrowded hospitals of Zagreb. We were an enormous boost to civilian morale and our presence in battered front-line towns brought resolve to exhausted defenders. And a realisaton that Croatia did have its allies.We helped reorganise defensive positions and stiffened crumbling units. We fought as front-line infantry and taught on the job military skills to men who weeks before were ordinary civilians going about their business. In return we learned their language, received their hospitality and gained mutual respect. When Bosnia became the next target of the Yugoslav Army and its Serb paramilitaries the Foreign Volunteers headed south in order to help the Forces of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) in defending its land. Many volunteers paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives. 71 men were killed in action and 88 injured, a 30% casualty rate. Their sacrifice helped win independence and freedom for Croatia, after five years of war. Source www.usddr.net

Jean-Michel Nicollier, wounded, carried from the Vukovar Hospital and assassinated.
His last words recorded on the video: Je suis ici pour le meilleur et pour le pire.