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|  Operation "Storm" 4th August 1995, the end of Greater Serbia
Dossier "Oluja"(Storm), Croatian victory day
The decision is made
When President Tudjman returned from Brijuni to Zagreb on the August 3rd it was clear that the decision has been made. News from Geneva confirmed earlier estimations that the rebel Serbs leaders are not taking seriously the situation and determination of Croatian state politics to finally end rebellion and secession. Looking back on that Thursday a few significant things crop up. International situation was particularly favorable for Croatia. Americans were furious at Serbs for running over Srebrenica and Zepa. They tacitly considered that Croats could offer the fastest and most efficient aid to Bihac. Croatian army was rapidly mobilizing reserve forces. In addition to 80 000 soldiers and officers further 70 000 were mobilized (Croatian Home Guard of the 2nd echelon) and 50 000 more in the third echelon. There was not a town or urban area not participating in major defense operation. All together 200 000 combat troops were ready for the action. 25 fully equipped brigades stood at the positions facing the rebel area.
Zagreb will go all the way
Well-informed analysts figured out that it was not restricted action this time. Zagreb would go all the way regardless of the warnings its allies gave saying resistance of the rebel army would be strong or even unbeatable. Germans believed Croatian military intervention to be unavoidable. American intelligence expected Croats to succeed if they would be able to bring the operation to the end within 7 to 10 days having own losses around 1000 dead and wounded. Noone assumed that secret plan "Storm '95" was planned even to be faster. Continuos demoralization of rebel Serbs that could not even be stopped by a professional soldier general Mile Mrk{i} is taken into account. He received his instructions from Belgrade to reorganize "krajina" defense and make it more flexible. Tactical and strategic estimations were placed on the desk of Croatian president 10 days before the operation started. The conclusion was unanimous: Serbia won't intervene for the reasons of inner instability (including the political-ideological conflict with Radovan Karadjic and Milan Martic) and in order to fulfill Milosevic's ambitions of getting economic sanctions lifted by the beginning of October. President Tudjman wanted everything to be checked out once again. Before signing the order for the operation he raises four important questions: major aims of the attack, a way to achieve them, situation among Croatian troops and the update of the situation in the enemy's army. "Storm '95" carefully looked into all scenarios. Minister of defense Gojko Susak and military and intelligence top people of Croatian army learned that the rebel troops represent mosaic of mutually incoherent military formation expected to breakdown within 5 to 7 days. According to the available data president Tudjman expected the breakdown to come even sooner, especially having in mind the psychological moment when rebels realize Belgrade abandoned them.
On the eve of the "Storm"
In all Croatian preparations it was taken into account that the intention towards the rebels couldn't be hidden because of the mass mobilization throughout Croatia so the surprise factor won't be forthcoming as in all the earlier operations. But it wasn't the aggravating circumstance. On the contrary the public demonstration of the military concentration was the additional psychological pressure onto rebels who were using their armed formations all the time as the means that should dissuade Croatian of making more serious attack. Even before Geneva, Knin was partially agitated.
Declaring state of war rebel leaders were making efforts to strengthen their formations and to gather 50 000 men (5 000 to 10 000 were the best age group and 20 000 were younger or older. Rebel military leadership estimated that Croatian major strike directions would be Banija, Kordun and Lika in order to break a siege of Bihac. Because of that fact so called 15th, 21st and 39th corps got additional reservists and two thirds of heavy arms were thrown over and concentrated at the triangle Petrinja - ways to Karlovac - Glina. Seventh corps and less heavy arms were left to protect Knin and "northern Dalmatia" which wasn't enough (Croatian were evidently accumulating its troops around Zadar, Sibenik and Sinj, actions from the Grahovo region, permanent endangering of Strmica to open direct way to Knin and so on). Although threatening signals from Zagreb were increasing on the eve of the "Storm" rebel leaders decided once again they could count on the fast military support of Bosnian Serbs (air force and 10 000 men) and Milan Martic was persistently explaining that Belgrade won't be passive this time. Although nervous Serbian negotiators from Geneva sent the message that Croatian attack is completely certain, general Mrksic considered that his basic force of 37 000 men is enough to confront Croatian offensive and to resist further 10 days. 17 000 men of so called "army of the republic of Serb krajina" in eastern Slavonija should immediately start actions on the front line and with strategy of retaliation put pressure onto Osijek and Vinkovci what should force Croats to transfer part of their reserve forces to the eastern front thus giving the relief to the defense of the northern parts of "krajina".
The dawn Serbs will remember
In the evening of August 3rd, detonator of the conflict was inevitably ticking off last moments. Wick that was set on fire by Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina was to explode in Croatia. It seemed as nothing was going on along the 700 km long front line at 3 a.m. of the August 4th. But, 2 000 Croatian cannons , howitzers, mortars rocket launchers and recoilless canonns were ready to fire. An hour later, UN peace forces in Croatia were officially informed that unavoidable military and police operation would start, with purpose of reestablishing constitution, law and order in sectors North and South. Anyway nothing happened in the next 60 minutes that would disturb hot and moistly dawn. And then, exactly at 5 a.m. the artillery strike like none seen before started. Serbs will remember that dawn very well. They were encouraging themselves day by day: no retreat, no surrender. Our forts will be our bloody shirts. They did not expect that so much steel will fall over their heads immediately. Although they knew Croats were superior, their propaganda claimed that krajina fighters are not afraid of Croatian slings. At the same moment all the way from north to the south the command echoed: Fire! Roar of Croatian artillery broke the morning silence waking up sleepy Serbian quasyrepublic. Salvos were following one another all in all 40 minutes with no stops, somewhere even longer. In the Serbian pillboxes, forts, barracks, commands, storehouses, reserve positions, quickly digged trenches, on the approaches of all bigger cities there was panic with everyone shouting: Croats are coming . . . they are braking through from everywhere. Terrified men in the forts were hit by bouncing rocks, wood and deafened by noise. Dust and smoke were choking surprised garrisons. The cannon and rocket launcher fire were joined by a fire of Croatian tanks and sounds of Croatian infantry arms, who started unstoppable breakthrough through thinned mine fields and chopped barb wire. In Serbian lines, where many were totally stunned by the noise of explosions, they didn't know what to do next. In only ten hours of fighting Serbs suffered mentally and started to fall apart. Instead of fortified north Croats tightened the circle around Knin that trembled from the shell detonations which were destroying military targets. In four days of major operations Croatian armed force demonstrated they are ready, with methodical and continuos pressure of their formations, to surround completely rebel "krajina" as a kindled almond which suddenly found itself in the nut cracking pincers. Objections that too much force had been used are absurd. In the liberation war exaggerated force is only the sufficient force.
 __________________
Sačuvaj nas Bože, kuge, gladi, rata i Hrvata! Srpska istorija - najbolja istorija
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Internet rasist, a ne zločinac.
The term "political correctness" is used almost exclusively in a pejorative sense,
while "politically incorrect" is commonly used as an implicitly positive self-description ~Wikipedia
Two side of the same coin |
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| Re: Operation "Storm" 4th August 1995, the end of Greater Serbia
CHRONOLOGY
4th August
The storm began
With the sunrise, at 5 a.m., the storm began. The storm that swept away "krajina" in four days only. While electronic media were broadcasting President Tudjman's address to the Croatian citizens of Serbian nationality guaranteeing them all rights and calling upon paramilitary troops to give over their weapons, offering them amnesty, Croatian army and police started the liberation of four years long occupied so called sectors North and South.
Strike on Celavac
"Following the decisive and strong action, Croatian troops penetrated the 700 km long front lines at 30 spots, in Bjelovar, Zagreb, Karlovac, Gospic and Split area of responsibility", was stated in Zagreb at a press conference, the same afternoon. Croatian air force launched a rocket attack and disabled Radio and TV transmitter Celavac. Penetration depth of Croatian forces ranged between 5 and 15 km. First day of action ran according to the schedule.
 Beginning of the Storm
Sveti Rok liberated
Great success of the first day of the action was liberation of Sveti Rok. Knin was already encircled and Croatian troops were in front of the town. Ministry of Defense stated that Croatian army in its action of liberating the territories does not demolish the towns or kill civilians. UNCRO was informed about the action before it started. In spite, a few incidents took place and led to a loss of two Czech UN soldiers. Serb rebels retaliated for their own losses attacking civilians in Sisak, Sibenik, Otocac, Gospic, Ogulin...
Orthodox church in Plaski
5th August
Knin is liberated
Round about noon the breaking news came: Croatian troops entered the city of Knin. Knin is freed! On the medieval Knin fortress a big Croatian flag was set. Surrounding places such as Vrlika, Kijevo, Drnis, Zitnic, Benkovac, Gracac, Lovinac, Ljubovo were liberated as well. By the evening 80% of the plans were carried out. Serbian civilians were, in spite of repeated calls, made by Croatian authorities, to remain at their homes, fleeing from the area. Croatian army ensured the corridors for their withdrawal through the cities of Srb and Dvor. Cities of Petrinja, Glina, Udbina and Slunj were soon to be liberated too.
Croatian flag on the Knin fortress
Croatian police force in Lovinac and Gracac
The establishment of the civilian authorities started immediately upon liberation and first to come were local police stations. Police station Vrlika, Lovinac... was written on the boards that were hung in presence of Ivan Jarnjak, Minister of internal affairs. At the same time Serbs retaliated, shelling civilians in Zupanja from Bosnia and in Osijek, Vinkovci, Nustar from eastern Slavonia. Karlovac and Dubrovnik were attacked too.
Serbs retaliated targeting civilian targets
Celebration
On Saturday evening, while Croatian troops were advancing with the actions of liberation, Croatia was celebrating, opening bottles of champagne. People were laughing and crying at the same time. Happy for the victory that came. President Tudjman, escorted by his closest assistants, joined the celebration on the Zagreb main square.
Dr. Franjo Tudjman joined the celebration on Ban Jelacic square in Zagreb
6th August
Two armies joined
Croatian forces joined with HVO and the 5th corps of Bosnian army on the border between Bosnia and Croatia on the river Korana near Trzacka Rastela. It was clear then, the Bihac enclave was saved and strategic communication Bihac - Knin was cut. Knin, Drnis, Kijevo got the police stations. The same afternoon, only 24 hours after it was liberated, President Tudjman visited the old Croatian town of Knin, where met by the 4th and 7th brigade of Croatian army. "Liberation of Knin means more than just a liberation of Croatian territory and a Croatian town. It means creating conditions for the stability of Croatian state for centuries ahead", said President Tudjman. Dr. Tudjman and his wife Ankica were accompanied by President of the Parliament, Deputy Prime Ministers dr. Mate Granic, Borislav Skegro, dr. Ivica Kostovic, Minister of Defense Gojko Susak and many others. They were awaited by the Minister Ivan Jarnjak and Minister of maritime affairs, traffic and communications Ivica Mudrinic who stated that in no more than two weeks railroad Zagreb-Knin-Split will be fully operating.
Arrival of President Tudjman in Knin
Croatian army and the 5th corps meet
So called "krajina" does not exist any more
So called "krajina" ceased to exist. Petrinja, Slunj, Kostajnica, Plitvice lakes, Obrovac were liberated. Major general Tolj once again called rebel Serbs to give over their weapons and surrender. Their military forces are broken down: 21st corps (that surrended on the 8th of August) was encircled and 15th and 39th corps were facing similar situation.
Park "Plitvice lakes"
Petrinja and Glina freed
On Sunday morning Croatian army liberated Petrinja and about 11 p.m. Glina changed hands. It was one of the strongholds of Serb's rebellion.
7th August
Karlovac celebrates peace
Towns of Turanj and Tusilovic were freed on the last day of the action Storm, which gave a relief to the inhabitants of Karlovac who came out on the streets of the town to celebrate the peace after 4 years of alerts.
Dr. Tudjman visits the wounded in "Nova bolnica"
Complete defeat of rebels
On Monday, chetnics were forced to leave Vojnic and Topusko, Gornji and Donji Lapac. Faced with a total military defeat in Croatia, Serbs planes took off from Banja Luka airport and launched attacks on several Croatian cities. Two casualties and 11 wounded were reported. Two planes of the "Eagle" type were shot down while attacking Mackovac and Savski Bok.
Serbian army signs the defeat and surrenders the hardware
Croatian army at the Croatian border
At 18:00 Croatian Minister of Defense Gojko Susak announced the end of action Storm from the military aspect. Police actions remain to be carried out for some more time. Rebel Serbs surrended in Banovina region. Croatian army came out on the internationally recognized borders of Croatia. 118 Croatian soldiers fell in action and 620 were wounded till then. In days to follow, while searching the area 174 casualties and 1430 wounded were reported, all together.
Thanks to Gromovnik from Phora Hrvatska who originally posted this article. |
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