Battle of Saraci-Kalesija
The Bataille of Saraci-kalesija is a Bataille delivered the April 29th 1994, during the Guerre of Bosnia, and at the time which the Danish of FORPRONU and the Serbe S of Bosnia-Herzégovine clashed.
Subjected to bombardments quasi-daily newspapers, the Danish forces in load of the protection of the accesses of the city and airport of Tuzla had prepared a plan of response, called Boellebank operation, which consisted in utilizing against the Serb positions of the squadrons of tank S Léopard 1A5. On several occasions, this plan was activated, but the adversary had always taken down without clashes in front of the armoured tanks, which was the sought-after goal, since their role was to be more dissuasive than offensive.
But on April 29th, 1994, the events took a dramatic turning. The Serb ones of Bosnia bombarded the small observation post Swedish (7 men) located in the village of Kalesija, with a score of kilometers of Tuzla. The Swedes called for the aid and a column of 7 Danish tanks accompanied by freight vehicles of troops left to their help. Arrived at the village of Saraci, a few kilometres from their destination, the Danes wiped the fire of the soldiers of the Sekorici brigade, who instead of folding up itself decided to fight. The Danish tanks forced the road until Kalesija and the battle made rage during two hours, the leopards drawing meadows of 70 Obus from 105 mm on their adversaries. Those had anti-tank armaments but did not have armoured tanks; the fight ended in their defeat. The Serb ones admire to have lost 9 men in the confrontation, without speaking about the casualties, but it is probable that their losses were higher, certain killed witnesses speaking about 150. On their side, the Danes neither had killed, nor wounded.
This battle created a great agitation with the Denmark; for the first time since the Second world war, their armed forces were implied as belligerent, in an military operation. It will not be besides the last time, since they will again face the Serb ones of Bosnia the October 25th 1994, close to Gradacac.
External bonds
- http://www.milhist.dk/post45/boellebank/boellebank_uk.htm