DAKIĆ: GUARDS BRIGADE WAS KEY TO DEFENDING REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

KALINOVIK, SEPTEMBER 6 /SRNA/ — Today, in Kalinovik, the President of the Association of the 1st Guards Motorized Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army General Staff Željko Dakić has stated that the brigade had a crucial role in defending and establishing Republika Srpska, particularly in 1993, 1994 and 1995, when it defended the strategically important Treskavica mountain plateau.

According to Dakić, this was also a strategically important area for the forces opposing the Serbs at the time.

From a strategic standpoint, Dakić said, two routes through Kalinovik and Treskavica were of great importance to the opposing forces: the route from Konjic through Kalinovik, Rogoj and Dobro Polje toward Goražde, and the second route from Bjelašnica through Treskavica and Trnovo toward Goražde.

He remembered that the enemy wanted to gather up with their forces in Goražde, reach the Drina River and thereby cut Republika Srpska in two and undermine its territorial integrity, but that the Guards Brigade foiled these plans through determined fighting.

According to Dakić, around 600 guardsmen faced five opposing brigades, backed by all elements of combat and logistical support.

He reminded that NATO began bombing Kalinovik on the evening of September 5.

"The first casualties occurred in the early hours of September 6. Our first guardsman was killed, and we are standing at that very spot today. During that bombing, almost our entire material base for continuing the war was destroyed, but the guardsmen nevertheless withstood every challenge and carried out their mission. In the end, the NATO bombing turned into an act of pure brutality against us, as the same targets were struck several times even after they had been completely destroyed," Dakić reminded.

According to him, the attackers eventually stopped distinguishing between military and civilian targets and began striking civilian areas in an apparent attempt to frighten the population and force people to flee.

"Together with the people, the guardsmen managed to withstand every challenge, repel the attacks, carry out their mission and preserve their territory. They did not lose a single position or any territory," Dakić said, adding that the Guards Brigade was the only Republika Srpska Army brigade to come under direct NATO air strikes.

He said that seven guardsmen were killed in the NATO bombing during those days, while a total of 117 guardsmen lost their lives fighting for Republika Srpska.

"The graves of guardsmen are scattered throughout Srpska, from Trebinje to Novi Grad, because the Guards Brigade was a special unit recruited on an extraterritorial basis from all parts of Republika Srpska. Today, the Association of Guardsmen preserves the brigade's legacy, organizes various activities, commemorates those who were killed, visits their graves and supports their families," Dakić concluded.

The 1st Guards Motorized Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army General Staff was established and formally formed up on January 19, 1993, on the Orthodox Feast of the Epiphany. After the breakthrough of the corridor and the capture of Trnovo in July 1993, it was relocated to Kalinovik, from where it continued its wartime operations with even greater intensity.

In August 1993, the first generation of young guardsmen joined the brigade, while in July 1994 the Kalinovik Light Infantry Brigade was incorporated into its ranks.

Around 7,100 guardsmen served in the 1st Guards Motorized Brigade, 240 of whom lost their lives in the war.

The wartime history of the 1st Guards Motorized Brigade of the Republika Srpska Army General Staff is featured in the documentary film titled "Sons of Srpska".

During NATO's campaign against Republika Srpska from August 30 to September 14, 1995, more than 50 members of the Republika Srpska Army and civilians were killed, while more than 120 were wounded.

During the daily bombing, in which radioactive munitions were also used, 47 members of the Republika Srpska Army and seven civilians were killed, while more than 100 soldiers and 21 civilians were wounded.