104th Brigade of Croatian army, Varazdin

104th Brigade of Croatian army, Varazdin

History

2 July 1991 is celebrated as formation day of brigade since on that day it eceived first written combat order.

Preparations for formation of brigade started on 8 May 1991 after notice was received from Ministry of Defense about formation of National Guard Corps (ZNG). Colonel Ivan Rukljic, major Veran Rozic and captain Tihomir Hozmec actively joined in preparation and carried out large part of the preparations.

Part of 104th had its first forming and planed exercise of armed units on 31 August. By middle of September parts of mobilized brigade's units joined blockades of Yugoslav Peoples Army barracks in Varazdin, installations on Varazdin-hill and on Ivancica.

On 13 September brigade together with Varazdin police, civilian protection and special units of ZNG from Zagreb begun blockade of 'Kalnik partisans' barracks.

After capturing barracks in Varazdin, 3rd Battalion actively participated in capturing of barracks in Bjelovar.

In early October company of volunteer from 104th departs to Nustar, eastern Slavonia, where they held the front line without retreat for entire month.

In late October first 1st Battalion and after few days entire 104th brigade arrived on Lipik-Pakrac front. Together with other units brigade liberates Lipik and Pakrac and captured Chetnik strongholds in villages Kukunjevac and Kusonje. Brigade held line until July 1992 after part of brigade - Tactical group of 104th Brigade participated in combat operation on Eastern Slavonian front.

During first sixteen months on front line brigade suffered 29 killed and 145 wounded. After demobilization, 104th becomes recruit training brigade and in late December 1992 if moved to Cakovec.

Part of brigade left for Posavina front and until July 1993 suffered further 1 killed and 12 wounded bringing casualties total to 30 killed and 157 wounded out of more then 8500 soldiers who served in brigade.

During operation Storm brigade forced Kupa river, but was pushed back.

Name From To

Brigade Commander Colonel Ivan Rukljic forming 15 December 1992

Major Vjeran Rozic 15 December 1992

Colonel Ivan Matokovic 1994

Deputy Commander Major Vjeran Rozic forming

Chief of Staff Major Vjeran Rozic forming

2nd Battalion Commander Major Mirko Drusko

3rd Battalion Commander

Operations

Operation STORM

Sources

Gordan Lausic: Godina sluzenja domovini, Hrvatski vojnik br. 21, str. 9, godina II, 25. rujan 1992.

Vesna Puljak: Varazdinci u obrani Lijepe nase, Hrvatski vojnik br. 31, str. 14, godina III, 12. veljaca 1993.

Ozren Veselic: Od njih se uci, Hrvatski vojnik br. 43, str. 17, godina III, 30. srpnja 1993.

Kruno Duric: Obiljezena treca obljetnica osnivanja 104.brigade Hrvatske vojske, Hrvatski vojnik br. 67, str. 12, godina IV, 1. srpnja 1994.

This page is also available in the following languages:
• Hrvatski •

	Name	From	To
Brigade Commander	Colonel Ivan Rukljic	forming	15 December 1992
	Major Vjeran Rozic	15 December 1992
	Colonel Ivan Matokovic	1994
Deputy Commander	Major Vjeran Rozic	forming
Chief of Staff	Major Vjeran Rozic	forming

2nd Battalion Commander	Major Mirko Drusko
3rd Battalion Commander