3rd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Guards Brigade , also known by their nickname Kune (lit. "Martens"), was a Croatian Ground Army
(HV) brigade formed on 29 April 1991 in Vinkovci
. The brigade participated in a number of engagements during the War of Independence
(1991–1995) and primarily operated in the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia
.
Initially the brigade was referred to as the 3rd "A" Brigade of the Croatian National Guard
. Its initial roster included four battalions, stationed in Osijek
, Vinkovci
, Slavonski Brod
and Vukovar
.
The 4th battalion of the brigade was the primary guard unit involved in the Battle of Vukovar
.
The 3rd Brigade was disbanded in 2003 when it merged with the 5th "Falcons" Brigade and was incorporated in the 3rd Armoured Guards Brigade (3.GOMBR), which was then re-styled in 2007 as the present-day Guard Armoured Mechanized Brigade (Gardijska oklopno-mehanizirana brigada or GOMBR). The tank battalion within the GOMBR continues to use the original 3rd Brigade's nickname and emblem.
Croatian ground army
The Croatian Army is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.The fundamental role and purpose of the Croatian Army is to protect vital national interests of the Republic of Croatia and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.Basic tasks of the Croatian Army...
(HV) brigade formed on 29 April 1991 in Vinkovci
Vinkovci
Vinkovci is a city in Croatia, in the Vukovar-Syrmia County. In the 2011 census, the total population of the city was 35,375, making it the largest town of the county...
. The brigade participated in a number of engagements during the War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
(1991–1995) and primarily operated in the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
.
Initially the brigade was referred to as the 3rd "A" Brigade of the Croatian National Guard
Croatian National Guard
The Croatian National Guard was the name of the first modern Croatian military force. Croatian president Franjo Tuđman signed to law the Decree of Formation of the Croatian National Guard on April 20, 1991 which became the first professional armed forces with defence and training duties.These...
. Its initial roster included four battalions, stationed in Osijek
Osijek
Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 83,496 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county...
, Vinkovci
Vinkovci
Vinkovci is a city in Croatia, in the Vukovar-Syrmia County. In the 2011 census, the total population of the city was 35,375, making it the largest town of the county...
, Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod is a city in Croatia, with a population of 59,507 in 2011. The city was known as Marsonia in the Roman Empire, and as Brod na Savi 1244–1934. It is the sixth largest city in Croatia, after Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, Osijek and Zadar. Located in the region of Slavonia, it is the...
and Vukovar
Vukovar
Vukovar is a city in eastern Croatia, and the biggest river port in Croatia located at the confluence of the Vuka river and the Danube. Vukovar is the center of the Vukovar-Syrmia County...
.
The 4th battalion of the brigade was the primary guard unit involved in the Battle of Vukovar
Battle of Vukovar
The Battle of Vukovar was an 87-day siege of Vukovar in eastern Croatia by the Yugoslav People's Army , supported by various paramilitary forces from Serbia, between August and November 1991. Before the Croatian War of Independence the Baroque town was a prosperous, mixed community of Croats,...
.
The 3rd Brigade was disbanded in 2003 when it merged with the 5th "Falcons" Brigade and was incorporated in the 3rd Armoured Guards Brigade (3.GOMBR), which was then re-styled in 2007 as the present-day Guard Armoured Mechanized Brigade (Gardijska oklopno-mehanizirana brigada or GOMBR). The tank battalion within the GOMBR continues to use the original 3rd Brigade's nickname and emblem.