Clashes in Bogdanovci

Last updated
Clashes in Bogdanovci
Part of the Croatian War of Independence
Bogdanovci.png
The location of Bogdanovci within Croatia
Date19 October – 10 November 1991
Location
Result Yugoslav-SAO Krajina victory [1]
Belligerents
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia
Flag of Serbian Krajina (1991).svg SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Željko Ražnatović Unknown
Units involved

Emblem of the Yugoslav People's Army (1991-1992).svg Yugoslav People's Army

Flag of the Serb Volunteer Guard.svg Serb Volunteer Guard

Flag of Croatian National Guard.svg Croatian National Guard (until November 1991)
Seal of the Armed Forces of Croatia.png Armed Forces of Croatia (from November 1991)

Contents

Casualties and losses
Unknown 70 soldiers killed
89 Croat civilians killed or missing

The Clashes in Bogdanovci occurred during the Croatian War of Independence on 18 November 1991. They were fought between Croatia, and SAO Krajina which was supported by the Yugoslav People's Army. The battle ended with a Serbian victory and the taking over of Bogdanovci. [2]

Prelude to the battle

The only connection with the outside world was the so-called "corn road." It was a field road hidden by corn that went through Bogdanovaci, Marinci, and Nuštar. [3] With the fall of the Marinci at the end of October, that connection was cut off. [4]

Clashes

From 19 October 1991, the connection between Bogdanovaci and Vukovar was completely severed. [5] The company of the 204th brigade of the National Guard Corps, which was located in the besieged Bogdanovci, then resisted the attacks of the Serbian army independently with the help of local patriots. [6] Despite a month of brave defense, in which locals, members of the police, the National Guard Corps, and HOS participated, Bogdanovci—a town of 3,200 inhabitants as of 1991— fell on 10 November 1991, into the hands of the SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia units supported by Yugoslav People's Army. [7]

Approximately 89 Croat civilians were killed or remain missing. [8] Civilian deaths were caused by indiscriminate Serb shelling, against people trying to flee the village as well as in mass killings when Serb forces entered and occupied Bogdanovci. A number of Croat civilians were killed when Serb forces would throw hand grenades into basements where civilians had taken refuge, others were removed from their basements and homes and subsequently killed. Most civilian victims were ethnic Croats, but also included the killing of nine Albanian civilians. [9] [10]

In addition to the 89 victims from Bogdanovci, 70 Croat soldiers who came to aid in the defense were also killed. The number of casualties on the Serb side is unknown.

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References

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  4. B, Ante (2022-11-10). "Na današnji dan 1991. Bogdanovci – hrabrost o kojoj se premalo govori". Kamenjar (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  5. Ljubuški, Radio (2021-11-10). "10. studenoga 1991. Bogdanovci – hrabrost o kojoj se premalo govori". RADIO LJUBUŠKI (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  6. Marinić, Borna (2023-11-10). ""Kako je koji punkt padao tako su pojedini dijelovi sela išli u proboj" - okupirani Bogdanovci". Domovinski rat (in Croatian). Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  7. https://centardomovinskograta.hr/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Domovinski-Rat-Kronologija-eng.pdf
  8. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/103065
  9. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/103065
  10. "Serbia Convicts Yugoslav Soldier of Killing Albanian Civilians" . Retrieved 18 January 2025.