503rd Brigade (ARBiH)

The 503rd Famous Mountain Brigade (Bosnian: 503. slavna brdska brigada) was a military brigade during the Bosnian War which operated in the Bihać pocket and was part of the 5th Corps. It was formed on the August 17, 1992 in Cazin as the First Cazin infantry Brigade.^[1] The brigade was the strongest in the whole Cazin municipality.^[2]

History

On the Grmusi-Srbljani plateau the brigade often fought fierce battles against the Army of Republika Srpska.^[1] This plateau was very important for the Bihać pocket, if it ever feel to Serb hands that would have put Bihać in a dangerous position, because the communication Bihać-Cazin-Bosanska Krupa would have been completely cut off and the only hydroelectric power plant could have not been used. This never happened because of the decisive fighting of the 503rd and 504th brigade on the beginning of the war.^[2] After Fikret Abdić proclaimed the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia a part of the 503rd brigade in Cazin changed sides and sided with the rebel forces.^[3] With the command of the General Staff of the Army of Republic Bosnia and Herzegovina the name of the brigade got changed from First Cazin infantry Brigade to 503rd Mountain Brigade. On June 29, 1995, the brigade got awarded with title Famous (Slavna) by the decision of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency.^[1]

Ključ-Sana Unit

The Ključ-Sana unit of the brigade (part of third battalion) led by Amir Avdić had about two 120 men companies of soldiers, from who 4 were women. After the massacres which the Serb forces carried out in Sanski Most and Ključ, with the help of UNPROFOR the base of 146 men of this unit managed to get to the free territory in Bihać thanks to capturing the command of 6. Sana brigade VRS in Galaja resistance. Releasing them was done for exchange to transport the unit safely to free territory of Bihać. It is known as a first major win of 5th Corps. Later other refugees from Ključ, Sanski Most, Bos. Petrovac, Prijedor, Banja Luka, middle Bosnia, who came on foot through occupied territory joined the unit. The unit joined the 503rd Brigade, as part of third battalion together with company of Grmuša-Srbljani platoe settlers. It made a great contribution to the defense of the territory of the Bihać pocket. After the start of first autonomy Ključ-Sana unit on Amir Avdić's request and by recognition of the ARBiH high command and president Alija Izetbegović separated to create, elite light shock brigade named 1st Bosnian Liberation brigade (later 510th Bosnian Liberation Brigade) on 25. 10. 1993. Base of the brigade were the members of Ključ-Sana unit, Grmuša-Srbljani company and volunteers from other brigades of 5th Corps, it was the most mixed unit of the whole 5th Corps since it had members from almost every settlement in Bosanska Krajina region. Brigadier Amir Avdić became the brigade commander (youngest commander of 5th Corps, at only 25 years old), his deputy was major Isak Fazlić (who was also one of the youngest commanders in 5th Corps). Later after the formation process brigade consisted of five 120 men companies, one Reconnaissance-Sabotage Company nicknamed "Noćne Ptice" (Night Birds), logistics company, MP platoon, two Fire support squads and the brigade command.

Battle for Grabez Plateau, 31 August - 6 September 1994

The 503rd brigade launched a counterattack on 6 September and erased VRS gains and even seized some previously Serb-held ground.^[3]

Organization

On the day of the formation the brigade had: 79 officers, 112 non-commissioned officers, 1118 soldiers or 1309 all together. With the joinment of the Brekovica detachment, it had 1499 all together. The brigade consisted of 3 infantry battalions, 1 support battalion and 1 anti-tank unit, 1 anti-air unit and 1 logistics unit which were:

Detachment TO Cazin
Detachment TO Brekovica
Company TO Donja Koprivna, Pećigrad, Skokovi, Liskovac, Krivaja and Pjanići
Kljuc-Sana Unit

La principal zona de responsabilidad de la brigada se extendía desde Alibegovića Kosa hasta Donji Brkići y el río Una . Desde la formación de la Provincia Autónoma de Bosnia Occidental, la brigada también tenía una zona de responsabilidad hacia ese frente.

Dominio

El día de la formación de la brigada, estaba estructurada de la siguiente manera:

Comandante: Muhamed Hamdo Delalić
Subcomandante: Omer Hajrulahović
Asistente de moral: Kasim Pandžić
Asistente de seguridad: Sead Kazaferovic
Asistente de Logística: Enes Beširević
Asistente para asuntos personales y de llenado: Senad Žunić

El comandante Muhamed Hamdo Delalić permaneció en ese puesto hasta el final de la guerra de Bosnia. ^{[ 1 ]}

Pérdidas y condecoraciones

La 503.ª Brigada tuvo 282 muertos, 2183 heridos y 181 desaparecidos/combatientes y ancianos capturados entre 1992 y 1995. 28 son "Zlatni Ljiljani", receptores de la Orden del Lirio Dorado .

Referencias

^ Felic , Bejdo (2002) . Peti corpus (1992-1995) . Sarajevo. pag. 30.ISBN 9958-22-098-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 mantenimiento: falta el editor de ubicación ( enlace )
^ Dreković , Ramiz (2004). U Obruču . pag. 128.ISBN 9958-42-102-X.
1 2 CIA (2002). Campos de batalla de los Balcanes: Una historia militar del conflicto yugoslavo, 1990-1995 . Agencia Central de Inteligencia – CIA. pp. |páginas=414, 522}}. ISBN 978-0160664724.

[:0-1] Felic , Bejdo (2002) . Peti corpus (1992-1995) . Sarajevo. pag. 30.ISBN 9958-22-098-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 mantenimiento: falta el editor de ubicación ( enlace )

[:1-2] Dreković , Ramiz (2004). U Obruču . pag. 128.ISBN 9958-42-102-X.

[:2-3] 1 2 CIA (2002). Campos de batalla de los Balcanes: Una historia militar del conflicto yugoslavo, 1990-1995 . Agencia Central de Inteligencia – CIA. pp. |páginas=414, 522}}. ISBN 978-0160664724.