Scenario: Operation Flash - Dragalić sector

[SaS TrooP]

I have found this one and refurbished it a little.

This scenario is now tested, no errors reported, but still any feedback is most welcome. We will see if its work keeping or if its too weak to proceed further.


OPERATION FLASH (1995) - DRAGALIĆ

Operation Flash - Nova Gradiska*
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Date: 1st May, 1995*
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Battle Location: Dragalic village, between Okucani and Nova Gradiska, Republic of Serbian Krajina (modern day

Croatia)*
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Battle Type: Croatian assault vs. RSK defence*
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Description: Operation Flash (Operacija Bljesak) was a military operation, conducted by military of Croatia against

so called Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK), a curently non-existant country. RSK was a self-declared country on

territories inhabited mainly by ethnic Serbians. Yet, this structure was rather independent from nearby Serbia. Same

territory was however also inhabited by significant amount of Croats and Bosnians. Yugoslavian Wars were

particularly bloody and ethnicity based, with all sides of the conflict conducting numerous massacres against

civilians.*
A ceasefire was signed between Croatian and RSK governments, mediated by the UN, in 1994. Territorial disputes

remained heavily unresolved though, which resulted in Croatian preparations to capture and secure the vital road

around the town of Okucani, that had the briges through Sava river. Assumed Croatians secured that position, it

would be extremely hard for Serbia or RSK to conduct any sort of counterattacks due to low river crossing equipment

capacity and training.
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This scenario depicts the first day of fighting, in which Croatian task force conducts an advance towards Okucani.

RSK forces are dug in with particularly heavy force - which was unknown to Croatian Staff - around the small village

of Dragalic, covering the approaches to nearby Okucani.*
As Croatians descended, heavy fighting occured. Initially, a mechanized battalion of 81th Guards Brigade was to

spearhead the advance. It soon became clear, that these forces are not enough. There was a breakdown in Croatian

command though, resulting in serious delays in bringing additional units into positions. After more than 2 hours

delay, another motorized battalion, from 5th Guards Brigade was sent in to action. RSK defences - manned mainly by

strong elements of mixed 54th Infantry Brigade - prooved too powerful. Only after three hours of heavy fighting,

when a regiment of Home Guard (reserves) was provided as reinforcements, together with a company of T-55 tanks and

Special Forces units, it was possible to break though.*
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Okucani was encircled by the end of 1th of May. This put RSK troops into serious peril. Okucani surrendered on May

3rd, what was a strategic victory for Croatian troops.
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It must be historically noted, that RSK tried to reinforce Dragalic road with advanced M-84 tanks. Tank companies

were however prevented from crossing the Sava river by Croatian Mi-24 Hind combat helicopters that managed to sneak

past RSK AA defences. Croatian Air Force was also active on that day, but suffered noticeable losses due to AA fire.
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Notes: If played against the AI the human player should take the Croatian side.*
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Source: Brigovic, Ivan (July 2009). "Osvrt na operaciju "Bljesak" u dokumentima Republike Srpske Krajine",

Wikipedia, Internet*
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Design by: Marcin "SaS TrooP" Kaluza**