Mihаjlo М. Petrović
June 14, 1884 Vlakča, Kragujevac – March 7/20, 1913 Barbalushi, Skadar
First Serbian Military Pilot
Plot 2, Crypt 27 – IV
First Serbian trained pilot and unfortunately the first aviation victim, air force sergeant, Mihаjlo Petrović was one of the six Serbian pilots trained in France in 1912. He competed Military Technical School and Artillery NCO Training in Kragujevac. In 1905, he was deployed to the Guards Artillery Regiment in Niš He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1910, during the service in Belgrade Garrison. When the army called for volunteers to apply for aviation training in 1912, he applied eagerly, subsequently completing flying training program in the Fаrmаn Flying Academy in Etаmp (Étаmpes), near Paris. After only twenty days of training, he performed his first solo flight as the first in the class. Following the successful completion of the training program, he passed the final exams on June 22 and 23, 1912 with the flying colors (one month before his class mates) and became the first officially trained Serbian pilot. Mihajlo Petrović was subsequently deployed at Niš Air force Command, where he was adjusting to the new plane. The first recorded actions of the Serbian Air force were carried out during the Montenegrin Siege of Skadar. For the purpose of supporting Montenegrin Army, Littoral Army Corps and Littoral Aviation Squadron were formed. This was the first Air force Unit of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, under the command of the Major Kostа Miletić. In the course of the Skadar Siege during the 1st Balkan War, he performed the first reconnaissance flight over the enemy territory on March 7, 1913. On the way back from the mission, in the course of descend, a sudden wind thud thrown him out of the aircraft above the and the airport at the Village of Barbalushi near Skadar. He died in the vicinity of the airport. Sergeant Mihаjlo Petrović was first buried on March 8, 1913 in the Village of Bаrbаlushi. Subsequent to completion of the Balkan Wars, his remains were transported to Cetinje and buried with the highest military honors. However, in compliance with the request of his family, the remains of sergeant Petrović were transferred to Belgrade in 1931, and laid to rest at the New Cemetery.