Unit Name: | 7th Corps |
Dates: | 07. April 1994 – 1995 |
Country: | |
Allegiance: | Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Garrison: | Travnik |
Branch: | Regular Army |
Type: | Motorized, Mountain and Infantry |
Size: | 23,997[1] personnel |
Battles: | |
Anniversaries: | April 7th |
Notable Commanders: | Mehmed Alagić |
The 7th Corps, was an army corps of the Army of Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina active during the violent breakup of Yugoslavia and subsequent Bosnian War.
The idea for the formation of the 7th Corps arose not only from a military need, but also from a political desire to unite the Krajina military element in Central Bosnia in a separate corps whose focus of action would be towards the Bosnian Krajina.[2] One of the key moments for the formation of 7th Corps took place, on August 21, 1993, in Zenica, during a briefing held between the members of the Supreme Command and the commanders of the Corps; where it was decided to begin with preparations for the formation of the 7th Corps.
The Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its Decision No. 02-111-19/94, dated January 11, 1994, regulated the formation of the 7th Corps. The Headquarters of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated activities on the formation of the 7th Corps.[3] However, combat operations with two enemies in the operational zone of the 3rd Corps (future operational zone of the 7th Corps) would halt the formation until the cessation of hostilities between the HVO and Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the signing of the Washington Agreement.[4]
The decision on the formation of the 7th corps was made by the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 26, 1994;[5] and Brigadier General Mehmed Alagić was appointed as the commander.[6]
On the April 7, 1994 first official operational report was sent from the Command of the 7th Corps to the Headquarters of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is celebrated as the official day the 7th Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formed.[7]
The main task of the 7th Corps was to carry out combat operations towards the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the direction of Bosanska Krajina.[8]
Operational zone of the 7th Corps included the following municipalities: Banja Luka, Bosanska Gradiška, Bosansko Grahovo, Bugojno, Čelinac, Donji Vakuf, Gornji Vakuf, Glamoč, Jajce, Kotor Varoš, Kupres, Laktasi, Livno, Mrkonjić Grad, Novi Travnik, Travnik, Vitez, Skender-Vakuf and i Šipovo.[9]
The Brigadier General is the highest-ranking officer of the Corps appointed by the Presidency. Due to the constraints placed by the war, the primary role was to organize units and create functioning command structure in the zone of operation. The first and only commander of the 7th Corps was Mehmed Alagić.
A deputy commander is the second-in-command to a commander, acts on the Commander's behalf when required and performs other duties as directed by the Commander. The Deputy Commander of the 7th Corps was Fikret Ćuskić.
The organization and development of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war was carried out according to the models from the Yugoslav concepts of national defense; in the conditions when most of the territory was occupied, in the conditions of an armed struggle against two aggressors, this type of model imposed itself as an inevitable and only possible territorial defense concept.[10]
Despite such difficult and complex reality, the command made efforts to form units that would have a maneuver character and capability. The backbone of the maneuver units would be formed primarily from the exiled population from the occupied territories, for example the 17th Krajina Brigade, 305th Jajace Brigade, later 27th Mountain Brigade.
In terms of weaponry, the 7th Corps was a distinctly infantry unit. There were 7 tanks in the Corps. 73 large-caliber artillery pieces, 459 pieces of 82mm and 60mm mortars and over 12,000 infantry firearms.[11]
The 7th Corps was formed from the combat elements of the 3rd Corps, primarily from units of OG "Bosanska Krajina" and OG"Zapad".[12]
The following brigades from the Operational Zone ‘’Bosanska krajina’’ became part of the 7th Corps:
The 17th Brigade was created on 19 November 1992 out of two existing units: the 1st and 7th Brigades from Krajina. Its headquarters were in Travnik in the former JNA Barracks. It consisted primarily of volunteers and refugees from Krajina. It was a “manoeuvre” brigade within the 3rd Corps and took part in actions all over the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From November 1992 to April 1993, it had 900 men. Of the first anniversary of the formation of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by decision of the Presidency dated April 14, 1993 the Brigade received the honorary title Glorious [15], and in 1995 the honorary title Knight's .[16]
The 306th Brigade was formed on December 20, 1992, and consisted of four battalions, a military police platoon and several other units. In March 1993, the brigade had 1,974 soldiers. The brigade's headquarters were three kilometres from Han Bila, in the mine administration building in Rudnik. The 1st Battalion was based in the elementary school in Mehurići. The 2nd Battalion was stationed in Krpeljići. The 3rd Battalion was deployed in the elementary school in Han Bila. The 4th Battalion was in the village of Višnjevo.
From November 1992 until March 1993, the 306th Brigade was subordinated to the 3rd Corps. In March 1993, when operations groups were created, the 306th Brigade was subordinated to OG Zapad. Then, since the zone of responsibility of the 306th Brigade was too broad, it was subordinated to OG Bosanska Krajina in early June 1993.
Around 3200 soldiers have served in the brigade, 136 soldiers gave their lives, while 450 of them were wounded. 11 soldiers were awarded with "Golden Liliy" and one with "Silver Shield" .[17]
The brigade was formed on December 17, 1992, in NoviTravnik. The brigade includes the 1st, 2nd and 3rd mountain battalions of the Municipal Defense Headquarters Novi Travnik.[18]
The brigade was formed on November 25, 1992, as 312th Motorized Brigade, which was later renamed and organized as a Mountain Brigade. The brigade was formed from the First and Second Travnik detachments, the Vlašić detachment (former Mudrič company), the Turbet detachment, the Gradina detachment and the Karaula detachment .[21] On its third anniversary, by the Decree of the President of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Alija Izetbegović, for its contribution to the survival and freedom of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 712th Mountain Brigade received the honorary title Glorious .[22]
Over 6500 soldiers have served in the brigade 282 soldiers gave their lives, 9 soldiers were awarded with the Order of the Golden Liliy (Bosnian: Zlatni ljiljan). Major Mihajlo Petrović, commander of the Mudrič Company and the Vlašić Detachment, was posthumously awarded with the Order of the Golden Coat of Arms with Swords in 1994 as well as the Order of the Golden Liliy in 1992.[23]
The brigade was formed on December 1, 1992 in the municipality of Vitez, in the town of Kruščica. The units of 7 regional headquarters and two volunteer detachments, which existed since May 21, 1992, became part of the brigade.[25] In the beginning, it had two battalions and a platoon of the Military Police, with a total of 800 fighters.[26]
The brigade was formed in August 1993, from the units of the 27th motorized brigade, 1st battalion 306th mountain brigade and 4th battalion 314th motorized brigade. The brigade included soldiers from 33 municipalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[27]
The following brigades from the Operational Zone ‘’Zapad’’ became part of the 7th Corps:
As a result of the restructuring of the 307th Motorized Brigade and units of the Municipal Headquarters of the Bugojno defense, on October 21, 1993, the 307th Mountain Brigade was created.[29] It was based in Bugojno and consisted of four battalions, military police unit and anti-sabotage units. As of March 08, 1993, the 307th Brigade was subordinated to the Operational Zone ‘’Zapad’’.[30] The brigade consisted of a total of 1,667 soldiers. [31] On November 03, 1994 part of 707th Mountain Brigade was the first to enter the center of Kupres.[32]
The brigade was created on November 11, 1992 from the units of Territorial Defence (“TO”) in Gornji Vakuf, which comprised four battalions.[33]
1st Battalion was formed local communities of Gornji Vakuf I and II, Uzričje, Duša, Paloč, Odvode, Batuša, Vrse and Ždrimci. The battalion headquarters was located in the ball bearing factory. Commander of the battalion was Edin Šero.
2nd Battalion was formed from local communities of Voljevac and Boljkovac and battalion headquarters was located in Voljevac school building. Commander of the battalion was Bedrudin Milanović (Killed in action August 8, 1993. Crni Vrh - Gornji Vakuf)[34] Posthumously awarded the Order of the Golden Lily .
3rd Battalion from local communities of Drazev dolac, Duradbegov dolac and Voljice, battalion headquarters was in the primary school building in Voljice. Commander of the battalion was Mehmed Redžebašić.
4th Battalion local communities of Grnica, Bojska, Bistrica, Hrasnica and Lužani, battalion headquarters was in thebuilding of primary school Grnica. Commander of the battalion was Abduselam Redžebašić.
The brigade was formed on October 21, 1993 in Bugojno. The brigade included parts of the units of the 307th mtbr, from the area of the municipality of Donji Vakuf, a small part of other municipalities and units of the disbanded Municipal Headquarters of Defense of Donji Vakuf.[35] On April 14, 1994, the brigade was awarded the honorary title Glorious for its success.[36]
Later on:
The brigade was formed on December 1, 1992. The brigade had three mountain battalions, two mountain battalions were formed from conscripts from the area of the municipality of Busovača and one mountain battalion from conscripts from the area municipality of Kakanj. The brigade consisted of a total of 1,940 soldiers.[38]