Operation "Harvest" Bosnia

[RSK]

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358559.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA667801F5AAFFA54A03B15D
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: Mortars and rifles are layed down to be destroyed by a tank in Banja Luka, northwestern Bosnia, 14 April 2004. The NATO-led stabilisation forces for the Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation collected the illegal weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/***** Images)

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358547.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA6678012FE2CB690EC5B727
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: Rifles are laid down to be destroyed by a tank in northwestern Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 14 April 2004. NATO-led stabilisation forces for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation of collecting the illegal weapons on the teritory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/***** Images)

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358540.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA6678018DB4593E3EAC0C40
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: A Bosnian Serb Army soldier inspects the rifles before their destruction in Banja Luka, northwestern Bosnia, 14 April 2004. The NATO-led stabilisation forces for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with the Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation collected the illegal weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/***** Images)

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358539.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA66780112DD4D4FAC0C59CF
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: A Bosnian Serb Army soldier prepares rifles to be destroyed by tank in northwestern Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 14 April 2004. NATO-led stabilisation forces for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation collected the illegal weapons. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/***** Images)

[el_kab0ng]

I find it funny that the majority of the weapons destroyed were considered antiquated by today's standards. (meaning the true hardware is elsewhere)

Seems more like a "throw them a bone" operation rather than a bonafide round up.

Sure is sad to see so many K98K's and SKS M59's going down the tubes...

[khukuri]

damn, looks like a better solution then going around with explosives all the time.

But you need a tank, and a tank that have nothing better else to do.

[TarwarWarrior]

el_kab0ng wrote:


I find it funny that the majority of the weapons destroyed were considered antiquated by today's standards. (meaning the true hardware is elsewhere)

Seems more like a "throw them a bone" operation rather than a bonafide round up.

You are partially correct here.

I was over with the Canadain contingent on Roto 11 and was based out of Camp Maple Leaf, Zgon. My six months found me working in the JMA (Joint Military Affairs) cell and one of our major mandates was Op Harvest. All the weapons we collected in the Canadain AOR landed on my desk to process.

We did get a lot of old beaten on, rusted out M70's, Chinese AK's, and pretty much everything else under the sun. But, of the 3.5 tonnes of weapons we had stored, I'd say that at least 80% were very modern and quite serviceable.

However, in some areas it was suspect if people were being completely honest and like you said, just turning in a relic to appease SFOR troops. During my tour we found a cache of over 100 AP and AT mines and in the U.S. sector, a huge raid netted 24 M53 MG's that were routinely taken out and maintained. That country is far off from being 100% safe yet.

Here's a few pics from my tour of Op Inferno, the meltdown of 3.5 tonnes of weapons:

http://ryan.cyberculture.ca/img3/OP-Inferno.jpg

http://ryan.cyberculture.ca/img3/OP-Inferno3.jpg

http://ryan.cyberculture.ca/img3/OP-Inferno2.jpg

-TW, out!-

[el_kab0ng]

ugh.. and to think they could have refurbished the K98K's and shipped them off to the US for profit. I'm sure that area of the world could use some reliable income.

I for one own a German K98K and wouldn't mind having a few more. I've stayed away from the M59's though... not really an SKS fan.

Even though it's very necessary in that part of the world...it still pains me to see such destruction of hardware...

[TarwarWarrior]

Being a big firearms lover myself, initially I felt the same.

However, it changes quite a bit when you know that these weapons weren't just used to kill soldiers. So many innocent people were killed by them that it actually felt good to do this. It's really hard to explain but they did have a very 'dark' aura about them. And, it leant a lot of credibility to SFOR that we were in fact destroying these and taking them off the streets.

On a brighter note though we did manage to save 16 pieces as museum pieces. They were deactivated by our camp FCS and weapon techs then returned to Canada. The crown jewel was a real MG-42 with full SF kit, extra barrel, muzzel cover, and 30 rounds of linked belt.

My Captain and I traced the serial number back to the company and found what unit it was issued to during WWII. A very cool piece of history there!

-TW, out!-

[el_kab0ng]

If not the rifles, the parts! Parting out the bolts from the rest would allow me to service my rifle better. :D

I know alot of kits that could have made it here, with the destruction of the actual weapon still taking place.

*sigh* I see your point though. Destroying weapons that could still be used in the next "war" is important.

[memphiz]

wow

[radon]

It hurts to see that.

[weedman]

It hurts to see that.Not, it is helping the industry :roll: :lol:

[el_kab0ng]

It hurts to see that.Not, it is helping the industry :roll: :lol:

What industry is that? We're losing a piece of history by destroying weapons that were issued during WWII.

[Royal]

ugh.. and to think they could have refurbished the K98K's and shipped them off to the US for profit. I'm sure that area of the world could use some reliable income.

I for one own a German K98K and wouldn't mind having a few more. I've stayed away from the M59's though... not really an SKS fan.

Even though it's very necessary in that part of the world...it still pains me to see such destruction of hardware...

The vast majority of K98's in the Balkans are not K98's, but M48's - a post WWII Zastava copy in 7.92x57mm. On the same vein the SKS's are M59/66's...

[el_kab0ng]

Ah! Then I don't feel so bad to see them destroyed..

[TacoDelRio]

Damn. I could really use a new M48 or M59/66.

You know, all these weapons could be sold on the open market, with the profits going towards, I dunno, maybe all the hungry and homeless souls in the Balkans? I guess weapons are too "evil".

Everytime I see a weapon being destroyed, I want to set a teddy bear on fire! :bash: :fork: :-*$

All I'm sayin' is that poor people need money, and with all them shiny guns lyin' around, well, I'd pay for their breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a few days!!!!!

DB Out p-)

[Royal]

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358539.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA66780112DD4D4FAC0C59CF
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: A Bosnian Serb Army soldier prepares rifles to be destroyed by tank in northwestern Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 14 April 2004. NATO-led stabilisation forces for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation collected the illegal weapons. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/***** Images)

BTW, unless the VRS have taken to wearing Dutch army uniforms and boots, the guy in the foreground is Dutch...

[Haiw]

Could be... the beret looks like the standard Dutch army beret to me. BTW I never knew there was any difference between the Dutch and UK DPM. What exactely is the difference?

[RSK]

http://cache.*****images.com/comp/3358539.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=8335A0D2CA66780112DD4D4FAC0C59CF
BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA: A Bosnian Serb Army soldier prepares rifles to be destroyed by tank in northwestern Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 14 April 2004. NATO-led stabilisation forces for Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in cooperation with Bosnian Army destroyed today some 500 rifles and 30 mortars after the "Harvest" operation collected the illegal weapons. AFP PHOTO MILAN RADULOVIC (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/***** Images)

BTW, unless the VRS have taken to wearing Dutch army uniforms and boots, the guy in the foreground is Dutch...

I think its a SFOR person setting it up!

[Royal]

Could be... the beret looks like the standard Dutch army beret to me. BTW I never knew there was any difference between the Dutch and UK DPM. What exactely is the difference?

None. But the BDU's are a different design (except for the British Arctic Windproofs worn by the RNLMC) and Brits don't wear (or issue) green boots!

[Ezra Coli]

What a damned shame. Those are all some nice collectible weapons, especially all those Mausers. They could easily sell them. As if confiscating weapons ever solved deeper problems anyway. :roll:

[Marmot1]

Am I wrong or there is MP-40 on one photo?