Operation Storm and Deblockade of the Bihać Pocket
1,244 days of silence before the storm
Date
4-8 August 1995
Type
Offensive
Result
Commander
Atif Dudaković
Course of the Operation
On 4 August 1995, the 5th Corps launched an offensive coordinated with the Croatian Operation Storm. The first task was for the 501st and 502nd Brigades to conduct offensive operations toward Izačić, Željava and Ličko Petrovo Selo. At Ćorkovača on 5 August, the commander of the 505th Brigade, Izet Nanić, was killed. On the same day, the ARBiH and HV forces linked up at Tržačka Raštela, deblocking the Bihać Pocket after more than 1,200 days of siege. Velika Kladuša was also liberated, finally dismantling the AP of Western Bosnia.
Key Facts
Bihać Pocket deblocked after 1,244 days of complete siege
On this day Izet Nanić, commander of the 505th Brigade, was killed
First linkup of ARBiH and HV forces since 1992
Outcome
Bihać Pocket deblocked after 1,244 days. Linkup with HV achieved. Velika Kladuša liberated. Izet Nanić killed.
Background
On 4 August 1995, the 5th Corps launched an offensive coordinated with the Croatian Operation Storm. The goal was the deblockade of the Bihać Pocket after more than 1,200 days of siege and the linkup with the Croatian Army.
Course of the operation
The first task was for the 501st and 502nd Brigades to conduct offensive actions toward Izačić, Željava and Ličko Petrovo Selo. On the hill of Ćorkovača, on 5 August, the commander of the 505th Brigade, Izet Nanić, was killed. On the same day, ARBiH and HV forces linked up at Tržačka Raštela, deblocking the Bihać Pocket. Velika Kladuša was also liberated, finally dismantling the AP Western Bosnia.
Outcome
The Bihać Pocket was deblocked after 1,244 days of complete siege. The first linkup of ARBiH and HV forces since 1992 was achieved. Velika Kladuša was liberated, but the 5th Corps paid a high price - the death of Izet Nanić.
Significance
Storm was the most important moment in the history of the 5th Corps. The end of 1,244 days of siege marked a turning point in the war in western Bosnia and opened the path to the liberation of the wider area.
Sources
Data retrieved from 5korpus.com/operacije/oluja/
Details
501st, 502nd, 505th, 511th Brigades and other 5th Corps units
Coordinated attack with the Croatian Army, deblockade of the Bihać Pocket and linkup of forces
masovno povlačenje
3 poginula, 14 ranjenih (5. avgust)
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