| Croatian National Guard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 15 May 1991 – 3 November 1991 |
| Disbanded | Renamed as theCroatian Army |
| Country | Croatia |
| Branch | Army |
| Size | 8,000 active, 40,000 reserve troops(July 1991) |
| Part of | Ministry of the Interior Ministry of Defence(from 20 September) |
| Anniversaries | 28 May |
| Engagements | Croatian War of Independence |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of Defence of Croatia | Martin Špegelj |
| Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces | Anton Tus |
TheCroatian National Guard (Croatian:Zbor narodne garde orZNG) was an armed force established by Croatia in April and May 1991 during theCroatian War of Independence. Although it was established within the framework of theMinistry of the Interior for legal reasons, the ZNG was under the direct command of theMinistry of Defence. It was tasked with the protection of Croatia's borders and territory, and with tasks normally associated with police forces. The ZNG was formed with the transfer ofspecial police units to the ZNG, establishing four all-professional brigades in May 1991, and was presented to the public in amilitary parade inZagreb on 28 May. It was commanded by Defence MinisterGeneralMartin Špegelj before his resignation in early August. Špegelj was replaced by GeneralAnton Tus, who became the first head of theGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (established on 21 September).
During its development the ZNG experienced a number of problems, including shortages of weapons and ammunition, lack of uniforms, inadequate training and an overall deficiency in trained officers, and poor staff work and command structures (preventing the effective coordination of multiple units). These problems were offset by good morale, clear objectives and high levels ofmobilisation. After theBattle of the Barracks, the ZNG expanded significantly with arms captured from theYugoslav People's Army (Jugoslovenska Narodna Armija). By the end of October 60 new brigades and independent battalions were established, and on 3 November the ZNG was renamed theCroatian Army (Hrvatska vojska).
In 1990, after theelectoral defeat of the government of theSocialist Republic of Croatia by theCroatian Democratic Union (Croatian:Hrvatska demokratska zajednica, HDZ), ethnic tensions betweenCroats andCroatian Serbs worsened.[1] TheYugoslav People's Army (Jugoslavenska narodna armija – JNA) believed that Croatia would use the CroatianTerritorial Defence Force's (Teritorijalna obrana – TO) equipment to build its own army and confront the JNA.[2] To minimize the expected resistance, the JNA confiscated the TO's weapons.[3] On 17 August tensions escalated into an open revolt by the Croatian Serbs,[1] centred on the predominantly Serb-populated areas of theDalmatian hinterland near the southern town ofKnin,[4] parts of theLika,Kordun andBanovina regions andeastern Croatia.[5] They established a Serbian National Council in July 1990 to coordinate opposition toCroatian PresidentFranjo Tuđman's policy of pursuingindependence for Croatia.Milan Babić, a dentist from Knin, was elected president and Knin police chiefMilan Martić established paramilitary militias. The two men eventually became the political and military leaders of theSAO Krajina, a self-declared state incorporating the Serb-inhabited areas of Croatia.[6]
The JNA learned about Croatia's intention to develop its own military force from JNACaptain Vladimir Jager, adouble agent employed by Croatia and theJNA Counterintelligence Service (KOS). The JNA devised Operation Shield (Štit), aimed at disarming the Croatian forces and the arrest and trial of the Croatian leadership, in response. Although the operation was prepared by December 1990, federal Defence MinisterGeneralVeljko Kadijević never sought authorisation to carry it out from theYugoslav Presidency. Instead, he ordered the KOS to stand down on the morning the operation was scheduled to begin.[2]
At the beginning of 1991 Croatia had no regular army, and to bolster its defence Croatia doubled the size of itspolice force to about 20,000. The most effective part of the force was the3,000-strong special police, deployed in a military organisation of 12battalions; in addition, there were 9,000–10,000 regionally-organised reserve police officers. Although the reserve police were set up in 16 battalions and 10companies, they lacked weapons (which were needed to arm the troops).[7]
Preparations for the ZNG began on 12 April 1991. Its formation as a police force with military capability was considered necessary by Croatian authorities after March clashes inPakrac and atPlitvice Lakes and the possibility of further confrontation with the JNA. Since it was illegal to establish a separate military in aconstituent republic of Yugoslavia, the ZNG was planned as part of the police force under theMinistry of the Interior.Parliament amended the Internal Affairs Act on 18 April, and the ZNG was formally established five days later. It was tasked with the protection of theconstitutional order, the maintenance of public order, anti-terrorist operations, the protection of Croatia's borders, territory, coast andterritorial waters, valuable structures and high-profile individuals. Although the ZNG was formally subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior, its founding legislation stipulated that it would be commanded by theMinistry of Defence.[8]
On 5 May the number of ZNG troops and their composition was determined, followed by operational guidelines issued by Defence and Interior MinistersMartin Špegelj andJosip Boljkovac for the transfer of police personnel to the ZNG on 10 May. By 15 May several special police units (SPUs) transferred to the ZNG, forming four brigades.[9] By July the ZNG had approximately 8,000 troops and, unlike other Croatian forces, were fully equipped withsmall arms.[7] The reserve police force, numbering about 39,000 in April, was also transferred to reserve ZNG brigades and independent battalions.[9] On 18 May theZrinski Battalion was established as aspecial forces unit of the ZNG, its core consisting of 27 volunteers drawn from the Kumrovec SPU. Initially, it also relied on formerFrench Foreign Legion troops.[10] By July, the reserve force of 40,000 ZNG troops was assigned to 19 brigades and 14 independent battalions; however, they did not possess sufficient heavy or small arms for all their personnel. The Croatian police had approximately 15,000 small arms, with less than 30,000 additional weapons obtained from abroad by August.[7]
On 28 May, the ZNG was presented to the public in amilitary parade at theKranjčevićeva Street Stadium to boost morale. The parade featured approximately 800 soldiers, a dozenanti-aircraft systems,armoured cars and severalarmoured personnel carriers; the Presidential Guards andAlkars also participated.[11]
| Unit | Nickname | Foundation | Commander |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Guards Brigade | Tigers (Tigrovi) | 5 November 1990 | Josip Lucić |
| 2nd Guards Brigade | Thunder (Gromovi) | 15 May 1991 | Božo Budimir |
| 3rd Guards Brigade | Martens (Kune) | 29 April 1991 | Eduard Bakarec |
| 4th Guards Brigade | none | 28 April 1991 | Ivo Jelić |
To command individual units, regional ZNG commands were established in easternSlavonia, the Banovina–Kordun area, Lika, central and northern Dalmatia, southern Dalmatia andZagreb in late July and August. Crisis headquarters, which also had command authority of ZNG units, were established down to the municipal level.[12] The command structure was particularly poor, preventing effective coordination between units.[13] Although the many crisis headquarters were entrusted with a high level of authority, they consisted of politicians with little (if any) military training other than JNAservice. Multiple units deployed to a single area often had no authority coordinating their activities. TO command systems were reactivated in some places (such as Zagreb), somewhat improving the situation.[14]
Other problems faced by the ZNG included a shortage of trained officers, inadequate troop training, a shortage of weapons and especially a shortage of ammunition. Mobilisation proved particularly successful, however, and troops were plentiful; in Zagreb, approximately 80 percent of those called up in September and October reported for service. The ZNG were short of uniforms; 20 percent of those drafted in Zagreb during this period received uniforms, while the remainder fought in civilian clothes. The ZNG also relied on the civilian infrastructure for food, fuel andmedical care.[15]
Špegelj was replaced byŠime Đodan as Defence Minister in July. He remained in command of the ZNG until 3 August, when he resigned over Tuđman's refusal to authorise attacks against JNA barracks.[16] After Špegelj's resignation, command of the ZNG was entrusted to GeneralAnton Tus.[17]
In mid-September the regional commands were replaced by six operational zones, headquartered inOsijek,Bjelovar, Zagreb,Karlovac,Rijeka andSplit.[12] The zones possessed uneven strength; those in Slavonia and Dalmatia were heavily equipped, and the Zagreb zone had twice the average troop strength.[18] After capturing a stockpile of weapons during theBattle of the Barracks, the ZNG expanded to 60 reserve brigades and independent battalions by the end of October (in addition to the four all-professional guards brigades).[12] Although each brigade was planned to have 1,800 troops, in reality their size varied from 500 to 2,500.[19] Three named special-forces battalions were also established within the ZNG (in addition to the Zrinski Battalion): the Frankopan, Kralj Tomislav andMatija Vlačić Battalions.[20]
| Operational Zone | Headquarters | Commander |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Osijek | Osijek | BrigadierKarl Gorinšek |
| 2nd Bjelovar | Bjelovar | BrigadierMiroslav Jezerčić |
| 3rd Zagreb | Zagreb | BrigadierStjepan Mateša |
| 4th Karlovac | Karlovac | BrigadierIzidor Češnjaj |
| 5th Rijeka | Rijeka | Brigadier Anton Rački |
| 6th Split | Split | BrigadierMate Viduka |
| Unit | Operational zone | Established | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | June 1991 | Zagreb |
| 101st Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | June 1991 | Zagreb |
| 105th Infantry Brigade | 2nd Bjelovar | June 1991 | Bjelovar |
| 106th Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | June 1991 | Osijek |
| 107th Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | June 1991 | Valpovo |
| 108th Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | June 1991 | Slavonski Brod |
| 109th Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | June 1991 | Vinkovci |
| 110th Infantry Brigade | 4th Karlovac | June 1991 | Karlovac |
| 112th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | June 1991 | Zadar |
| 113th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | June 1991 | Šibenik |
| 114th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | June 1991 | Split |
| 111th Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | July 1991 | Rijeka |
| 103rd Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | August 1991 | Zabok |
| 104th Infantry Brigade | 2nd Bjelovar | August 1991 | Varaždin |
| 99th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | September 1991 | Zagreb |
| 204th (or 124th) Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | September 1991 | Vukovar |
| 115th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | October 1991 | Imotski |
| 117th Infantry Brigade | 2nd Bjelovar | October 1991 | Koprivnica |
| 118th Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | October 1991 | Gospić |
| 119th Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | October 1991 | Pula |
| 123rd Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | October 1991 | Požega |
| 125th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Novska |
| 126th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | October 1991 | Sinj |
| 127th Infantry Brigade | 2nd Bjelovar | October 1991 | Virovitica |
| 128th Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | October 1991 | Rijeka |
| 129th Infantry Brigade | 4th Karlovac | October 1991 | Karlovac |
| 130th Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | October 1991 | Osijek |
| 131st Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | October 1991 | Županja |
| 132nd Infantry Brigade | 1st Osijek | October 1991 | Našice |
| 133rd Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | October 1991 | Otočac |
| 134th Infantry Brigade | 6th Split | October 1991 | Biograd na Moru |
| 137th Infantry Brigade | 4th Karlovac | October 1991 | Duga Resa |
| 138th Infantry Brigade | 5th Rijeka | October 1991 | Delnice |
| 145th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Zagreb–Dubrava |
| 148th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Zagreb–Trnje |
| 149th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Zagreb–Trešnjevka |
| 150th Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Zagreb–Črnomerec |
| 153rd Infantry Brigade | 3rd Zagreb | October 1991 | Velika Gorica |
On 20 September Parliament enacted the Defence Act, specifying that the ZNG and theCroatian Army (Hrvatska vojska – HV) comprised theArmed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. At the same time, the armed forces were formally subordinated to the Ministry of Defence rather than the Ministry of the Interior. The legislation also designated the TO reserve units as a constituent part of the ZNG reserve force.[22] The following day theGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia was established, headed by Tus.[15] On 8 October (the day Croatia declared its independence) the Defence Act was amended, with the ZNG redefined as a part of the HV. ZNG reserve units became the HV reserve, named the Home Guard (Domobranstvo), leaving the ZNG an all-professional force.[23] The ZNG was renamed the HV on 3 November 1991.[24]
ZNG units participated is a number of significant battles in the early part of the war, attempting to hold backYugoslav forces. These include the battles ofGospić,[25]Šibenik[26] andZadar,[27] where the ZNG defended cities in Lika and along the Dalmatian coast against the JNA and its allies. The ZNG also took part in the battles ofVukovar[28] andOsijek in eastern Slavonia,[29]defended Dubrovnik[30] and contributed to thecapture of the JNA barracks[31] andOperation Hurricane-91 (an attempt to push the JNA out of western Slavonia.[32]
| Battle | Date* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battle of Gospić | 29 August – 22 September 1991 | Defence ofGospić and capture of JNA barracks in the city[25][33][34] |
| Battle of Šibenik | 16–22 September 1991 | Successful defence ofŠibenik and capture of part of the JNA barracks in the city[26][35] |
| Battle of Zadar | 16 September – 5 October 1991 | Successful defence ofZadar and capture of part of the JNA barracks in the city[27][36] |
| Battle of Vukovar | 25 August – 18 November 1991 | Unsuccessful defence of the city ofVukovar; disrupted theJNA campaign in Croatia[28] |
| Battle of Osijek | August 1991 – June 1992 | Successful defence ofOsijek,[29] although the ZNG lost some ground around the city[37] |
| Siege of Dubrovnik | 1 October 1991 – 31 May 1992 | Successful defence of the city ofDubrovnik[30] |
| Battle of the Barracks | 14 September – 23 November 1991 | Capture of a large store of JNA weapons and ammunition, enabling a significant increase in ZNG capability[31] |
| Battle of Logorište | 4–6 November 1991 | Indecisive battle to contain a JNA garrison nearKarlovac; the garrison broke out from a ZNG siege, but the ZNG captured the barracks[38] |
| Operation Hurricane-91 | 29 October 1991 – 3 January 1992 | ZNG offensive to recapture westernSlavonia around the town ofOkučani, stopped by a ceasefire implementing theVance plan[32] |
| *Dates pertain to overall duration of the battle; however, the reserve units of the ZNG were transformed into the reserve units of the HV on 8 October and the remainder of the ZNG was renamed the HV in November.[23][24] | ||
The HV continued to grow, numbering about 200,000 troops by the end of 1991.[39] Although the force successfully countered theJNA that year, the HV was deficient in organisation, training and heavy-weapons support.[40] By the end of 1991, the HV still lacked sufficient resources to push back the JNA and continued experiencing inadequate work by their staff. Nonetheless, like the ZNG it benefited from its troops' high morale and the well-defined purpose of its mission.[41] The growth and systematic improvement of HV capability accelerated in 1992, continuing throughout theCroatian War of Independence.[42] The anniversary of the ZNG parade at the Kranjčevićeva Street Stadium is celebrated annually in Croatia as Armed Forces Day and Croatian Army Day.[43]
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