Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik
Encyclopedia
Croatia
's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was a volunteer unit of the Croatian Navy. The squadron, consisting of 23 vessels, mostly of runabout
type, lightly armed and armored, was active in 1991 and 1992, during the Siege of Dubrovnik
. The unit was crucial in the defense of Dubrovnik
, providing a resupply route to the Dubrovnik population and troops defending the besieged city. The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski
for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence
in 2006. Surviving squadron members founded an eponymous association in 2011, tasked with preserving the heritage of the unit.
's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was a volunteer military unit of the Croatian Navy. It served with distinction during the Siege of Dubrovnik
, and was one of the key factors in the successful defense of the city. Colonel
Aljoša Nikolić was a founder and commander of the squadron.
The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was tasked with breaching the Dubrovnik naval blockade
and maintaining a supply corridor that was instrumental to delivery of materiel necessary to successfully defend the city, including food, fuel, medical supplies, arms and ammunition. The squadron also transported reinforcements from other parts of Croatia and evacuated wounded out of Dubrovnik, proving a lifeline for the besieged troops and civilian population. Start of operations of the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik is associated with the first voyage of Sveti Vlaho (St. Blaise) runabout
on September 23, 1991. The squadron consisted of 23 craft of various sizes and 117 volunteers. Craft armaments included machine guns, mortars and directional fragmentation mines. During its existence in 1991 and 1992, the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik runabouts motored more than 52000 nautical miles (96,304 km), transported approximately 6,000 troops and civilians, approximately a hundred wounded and 2,000 tonnes of various cargo. Sveti Vlaho, the first naval vessel to fly the Croatian flag in combat and the first ship of the squadron, was originally an Italian smuggling runabout that was confiscated by the authorities, fitted with armor and used by the squadron until December 6, 1991 when it was sunk in Gruž by a 9K11 Malyutka missile. The unit ceased operations in 1992 as the forces besieging Dubrovnik were defeated. Sveti Vlaho was the second Croatian Navy vessel overall, preceded by eight days by a landing craft
designated DJB-103.
for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence
, however no squad member was ever promoted as a naval officer nor awarded any wartime decorations. Absence of the Armed Boat Squadron volunteers was noted on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of arrival of Libertas convoy to the besieged Dubrovnik. The squadron members explained that they were not contacted nor consulted about the celebration. On August 11, 2011, surviving members of the squadron founded the Armed Boat Squadron Association whose objective is to preserve unit's heritage, document its contribution to the Croatian War of Independence and render assistance to its members and other similar associations in Croatia regarding preservation and promotion of role of Croatian soldiers in achieving independence of the Republic of Croatia. Sveti Vlaho was refloated in 2001, restored and put on exhibit in Batala park in Dubrovnik.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was a volunteer unit of the Croatian Navy. The squadron, consisting of 23 vessels, mostly of runabout
Runabout (boat)
A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Runabouts can be used for racing, for pleasure activities like fishing and water skiing, or as a ship's tender for larger vessels...
type, lightly armed and armored, was active in 1991 and 1992, during the Siege of Dubrovnik
Siege of Dubrovnik
The Siege of Dubrovnik is a term marking the battle and siege of the city of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area in Croatia as part of the Croatian War of Independence. Yugoslav People's Army invaded the Dubrovnik area in October 1991 from Montenegro, Bosnia and even parts of Croatia, surrounding...
. The unit was crucial in the defense of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, providing a resupply route to the Dubrovnik population and troops defending the besieged city. The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski
Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski
Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is 8th greatest order given by the Republic of Croatia.The medal is given to Croatian or foreign citizens for heroic acts during war, direct war danger or extraordinary circumstances in peace.-Recipients:...
for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
in 2006. Surviving squadron members founded an eponymous association in 2011, tasked with preserving the heritage of the unit.
Wartime history
CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was a volunteer military unit of the Croatian Navy. It served with distinction during the Siege of Dubrovnik
Siege of Dubrovnik
The Siege of Dubrovnik is a term marking the battle and siege of the city of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area in Croatia as part of the Croatian War of Independence. Yugoslav People's Army invaded the Dubrovnik area in October 1991 from Montenegro, Bosnia and even parts of Croatia, surrounding...
, and was one of the key factors in the successful defense of the city. Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Aljoša Nikolić was a founder and commander of the squadron.
The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was tasked with breaching the Dubrovnik naval blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
and maintaining a supply corridor that was instrumental to delivery of materiel necessary to successfully defend the city, including food, fuel, medical supplies, arms and ammunition. The squadron also transported reinforcements from other parts of Croatia and evacuated wounded out of Dubrovnik, proving a lifeline for the besieged troops and civilian population. Start of operations of the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik is associated with the first voyage of Sveti Vlaho (St. Blaise) runabout
Runabout (boat)
A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Runabouts can be used for racing, for pleasure activities like fishing and water skiing, or as a ship's tender for larger vessels...
on September 23, 1991. The squadron consisted of 23 craft of various sizes and 117 volunteers. Craft armaments included machine guns, mortars and directional fragmentation mines. During its existence in 1991 and 1992, the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik runabouts motored more than 52000 nautical miles (96,304 km), transported approximately 6,000 troops and civilians, approximately a hundred wounded and 2,000 tonnes of various cargo. Sveti Vlaho, the first naval vessel to fly the Croatian flag in combat and the first ship of the squadron, was originally an Italian smuggling runabout that was confiscated by the authorities, fitted with armor and used by the squadron until December 6, 1991 when it was sunk in Gruž by a 9K11 Malyutka missile. The unit ceased operations in 1992 as the forces besieging Dubrovnik were defeated. Sveti Vlaho was the second Croatian Navy vessel overall, preceded by eight days by a landing craft
Landing craft
Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
designated DJB-103.
Postwar decorations and heritage
In May 2006, the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić ZrinskiOrder of Nikola Šubić Zrinski
Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is 8th greatest order given by the Republic of Croatia.The medal is given to Croatian or foreign citizens for heroic acts during war, direct war danger or extraordinary circumstances in peace.-Recipients:...
for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
, however no squad member was ever promoted as a naval officer nor awarded any wartime decorations. Absence of the Armed Boat Squadron volunteers was noted on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of arrival of Libertas convoy to the besieged Dubrovnik. The squadron members explained that they were not contacted nor consulted about the celebration. On August 11, 2011, surviving members of the squadron founded the Armed Boat Squadron Association whose objective is to preserve unit's heritage, document its contribution to the Croatian War of Independence and render assistance to its members and other similar associations in Croatia regarding preservation and promotion of role of Croatian soldiers in achieving independence of the Republic of Croatia. Sveti Vlaho was refloated in 2001, restored and put on exhibit in Batala park in Dubrovnik.