Operation "UNA 1995"

[zg18]

I just found good material with good satelite photos:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6045/2fasehs3.jpg



1. Fase

HV crossing the river around 11 am, although the movement down to the river
may likely have started earlier, perhaps the initial 8 am order you talked
about. I remember also that we could hear sporadic small-arms fire from
about 0730 am, this could be from the initial movement to and preparation of
the river-crossing.
After the crossing over Una, the first VRS positions were cleared by HV
units, close combat with grenades, etc.
From our positions we could see HV soldiers storming positions where a few
minutes before, we had seen VRS soldiers move around, I reckon a load of VRS
died there.

2.Fase

HV moved across the first field, as seen in the video, they encountered initial sporadic fire and cosolidated their initial gains.

3. Fase

Later in the afternoon of Sep. 18th HV continued through a corn field
(bosnian side of Una), where they suffered many cassulties from machinegun
fire from surrounding VRS positions (machinegun fire from the area just above the red cross on the picture). How many HV soldiers were lost is
unknown.
It was very very surreal to have that kind of stuff heppening right in front
of you. Some of our guys with thermal devices could see bodies in the corn
field slowly fade out, right untill there was no more to see.»

4. Fase

Late afternoon on Sep. 19th HV forces retreated back accross the Una and
during the retreat heavy fire was laid upon VRS positions in the village and
surrounding area, the weapons systems used are believed to be 20mm
anti-aircraft guns, mortars, machinegun and possibly large caliber sniper
rifles.


http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8610/1fasebb8.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7048/3fasebs3.jpg


Operation "Una" lasted only one day on 18th September 1995 and finished in the morning of 19th with Croatian retreat.

Forces: around 1500 Croatian soldiers ,Serb number is not known (probably some local teritorial defense units and former SVK troops)

Loses:49 killed and 5 missing Croatian soldeirs,Serb losses 32 killed soldiers and 12 civilians

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOspSd0Pn3Y

[INAT]

The possible VRS bombed with cluster bombs? Who was doing the bombing for you guys.No offense I just figure you had some Western help.

[zg18]

The possible VRS bombed with cluster bombs? Who was doing the bombing for you guys.No offense I just figure you had some Western help.


JNA had cluster bombs and used it in 1991, HRZ probably had cluster bombs in weoponary also,if West did assist us they would probably shot down your Jastreb`s and Orao`s that attacked our bridgeheads on Una river ;-)

[INAT]

JNA had cluster bombs and used it in 1991, HRZ probably had cluster bombs in weoponary also,if West did assist us they would probably shot down you Jastreb`s and Orao`s that attacked our bridgeheads on Una river ;-)


I did not know that the cluster bomb was used .Do you happen to know the
specific name of the JNA name of the munition or what form it took.

[zg18]

I did not know that the cluster bomb was used .Do you happen to know the
specific name of the JNA name of the munition or what form it took.

I dont know the names but i`m positive that JNA had cluster and napalm bombs.

[isthvan]

I did not know that the cluster bomb was used .Do you happen to know the
specific name of the JNA name of the munition or what form it took.

JNA used British BL755 bomb and IIRC local version was also produced..

[Royal]

I can't remember the designations but the VRS a/c operating out of Mahovljani had both cluster and napalm munitions available to them. Can't comment on the HV.

[Lokos]

Yikes, that's a terrible position to have to attack from that jump-off point. Four MG teams (with two covering the road leading into the village) could have held off a significant force.

Good info and maps, zg18.

Lokos

[Killerkai1]

Can someone tell us a bit more about this operation, above details very vague

[Royal]

Can someone tell us a bit more about this operation, above details very vague

IIRC this was an attack near Bosanska Kostajnica in the north west of what is now Republika Srpska.

Upfrontreporting was serving with the Danish UNPROFOR Battalion in the area - he posted some video of it ages ago.

[zg18]

Can someone tell us a bit more about this operation, above details very vague


The plan of operation was to take control over Bosnian side of Una with towns Bosanska (Kozarska) Dubica ,Bosanski Novi (Novi Grad) ,Bosanska (Kozarska) Kostajnica and to take control of Una railway (fastest Croatian connection to sea) and to secure pass to Prijedor before ABiH.

Operatian was poorly prepaired,lack of info on Serb defenses and number of their troops,operation was destined to fail.

And ABiH also didn`t make progress and even lost some ground before Deyton.

[zg18]

Yikes, that's a terrible position to have to attack from that jump-off point. Four MG teams (with two covering the road leading into the village) could have held off a significant force.

Good info and maps, zg18.

Lokos


I heard that guys on the other side had a great problem with one! M-84 "Ciganka" heavy machine gun that they coudn`t locate.

[Annihilator9112]

Umm were there any VRS forces on West? if not then why didn't HV forces attack from the west first and then the river? attack from both sides instead of just one??

[zg18]

Umm were there any VRS forces on West? if not then why didn't HV forces attack from the west first and then the river? attack from both sides instead of just one??


I dont understand your question,attack across river is Western aproach.

[Annihilator9112]

So the whole North was VRS controlled not just those marked spots??

Ok what i ment was this.
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1940/1fasebb8bf1.jpg

[zg18]

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2028/bihterritoryposessionjurv5.png

1.operation "Una" 18-19th septembar 1995 ,Serbs had 4 brigades + Arkan boys (about 2000 soldiers and militiamens),operation failed

2.operation "Južni potez" 8-11th October 1995,Serbs had 6 light brigades and 1 motorized brigade ( between 4000-5000 soldiers of 1.st Krajina corps),operation suceed

[Annihilator9112]

o ok i see

[Upfrontreporting]

IIRC this was an attack near Bosanska Kostajnica in the north west of what is now Republika Srpska.

Upfrontreporting was serving with the Danish UNPROFOR Battalion in the area - he posted some video of it ages ago.

The operation took place in Dvor na Uni and the cluster munition was used on Serb held territory, don't know what and if there were any units where the cluster bomb was dropped.

[AN_TPS_63A]

http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operacija_Una

[AK-Lover]

I've seen that particular video before a couple of times. You can't really tell much what is going on except for the second half of video when the Croats start laying down some Praga fire. Interesting post ZG18, but I am wondering if our positions were on the hill overlooking the settlement why didn't the HV roll up the hill on the Serb flank that way minimizing their exposure to fire instead of cutting straight into the houses where they would get fired on down from the top of the hill.

[zg18]

I've seen that particular video before a couple of times. You can't really tell much what is going on except for the second half of video when the Croats start laying down some Praga fire. Interesting post ZG18, but I am wondering if our positions were on the hill overlooking the settlement why didn't the HV roll up the hill on the Serb flank that way minimizing their exposure to fire instead of cutting straight into the houses where they would get fired on down from the top of the hill.

I think you should ask Upfrontreporting ,he was there 1995 and the movie clip ,sattelite maps and battle phases were made by him, nice job ;-)

[Upfrontreporting]

Yikes, that's a terrible position to have to attack from that jump-off point. Four MG teams (with two covering the road leading into the village) could have held off a significant force.

Good info and maps, zg18.

Lokos

The orange flashes doesn't indicate MG positions, merely were unit on unit confrontations occured, however, MG's were most likely in place somewhere on that hillside.
The multi-colored flash denotes where the HV 20mm AA-gun fired on a VRS position, I reckon between 20-40 rounds hit that position.

[Upfrontreporting]

http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operacija_Una

Is there anyone who can give brief translation/summary of the text in that link? Please :)

[AN_TPS_63A]

Is there anyone who can give brief translation/summary of the text in that link? Please :)

44 Dead, 5 MIA on Croat side.

[Upfrontreporting]

I have made a new version with subtitles, this might help create a better understanding of what is going on in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5uevh3lEik



This link has been posted elsewhere on MP.net, however, this thread seemed more apt.


cheers.

[Nebelwerfer.]

Another vid showing operation Una from Croatian side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYu3nmMD1gI