Geostrategic significance Spačva Basin in War for Croatian Independence

Abstract

Istočnoslavonsko bojište otvoreno je nakon ulaska JNA u Hrvatsku početkom ljeta 1991.godine. Na svojim granicama imalo je gradove Osijek i Vinkovce te široki pojas šume hrasta lužnjaka u Spačvanskom bazenu. Prirodna osnova na ovom širokom pojasu korištena je kao strateški prostor obrane ovog područja kroz kontrolu koridora koji prolaze tim prostorom. Uspješnost obrane preko prirodne osnove potvrđuje činjenica kako niti jedan prostor južno i zapadno od Spačvanskog bazena nikada nije pao u neprijateljske ruke. Agresija na Hrvatsku trajala je do 1995. godine kada je hrvatski prostor oslobođen akcijama Otkos 10 (1991.), Bljesak i Oluja. Podunavlje je vraćeno Hrvatskoj tek mirnom reintegracijom 1998.godine.East Slavonia battlefield has been opened when Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) has entered Croatian territory in beginning of the summer 1991. On its borders battlefield had cities Osijek, Vinkovci and wide area of oak tree forest - Spačva Basin. Natural basis has been used like strategic area of defense east Croatia through control of the corridors. In support of the that kind defense is the fact that no area south and west of the Spačva basin has ever fallen into enemy hands. Aggression on Croatia has lasted from 1991. until 1995. when croatian territory was liberated through military operations Otkos 10 (1991.), Bljesak and Oluja (1995.). Area along Danube river has been integrated to territory of Republic of Croatia through peaceful reintegration in 1998