Croatia's Military Achieved the Unthinkable in Modern Warfare

Croatia's military achieved what was considered impossible in modern warfare during the 1990s, capturing an enemy brigade in Operation Flash and an entire corps in Operation Storm. This success came after years of conflict, which began with the bloody Easter of 1991 and concluded with Operation Storm in August 1995, followed by Croatian Army actions in Bosnia until October 15, 1995.

Despite facing significant challenges, including a third of its territory occupied and 600,000 Croats and non-Serbs displaced before Operation Storm, the Croatian military rapidly evolved. The nation's industry produced its own weaponry, including advanced drones, transforming the Croatian Army into a formidable, well-trained, and organized force. Military leaders believed the army was operationally ready to liberate occupied areas as early as autumn 1994, but international support, particularly from the United States, was crucial for launching the final offensive.

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Croatia's military achieved what was unthinkable in modern wars, something no army had managed since World War II: capturing a brigade in Operation Flash and a corps surrendering in Operation Storm.

European nations initially opposed a military solution, but the situation shifted due to fears of a potential massacre in Bihać mirroring the Srebrenica genocide. Operation Storm commenced on August 4, 1995, with a massive artillery and rocket barrage along the 630-kilometer front line, the longest in Europe since World War II. The morale and determination of the Croatian forces were exceptionally high, with retired General Marijan Mareković noting the army needed to be restrained from advancing immediately after Operation Flash.

The mobilization of reserve forces demonstrated this high motivation, with 72 percent of called-up personnel responding, or 99 percent of the combat strength plan. The 84-hour Operation Storm involved nearly 200,000 Croatian soldiers, liberating over 10,000 square kilometers. This operation is studied for its originality and success. Tragically, the victory came at a cost, with 243 Croatian soldiers and police killed and over a thousand wounded.

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The army needed to be 'kept on a leash' after Operation Flash, not to immediately launch into Operation Storm.