Marko Babic (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Marko Babić was a Croatian Army officer (Colonel
at time of death) that served during the Croatian War of Independence
.
He is most notable for his contribution during the Battle of Vukovar
, where he led the defence of Trpinjska Cesta.
Babić was second in command in the 3rd Battalion of the 204th Vukovar Brigade
, under Blago Zadro
. This area was one of the most direct ways to attack Vukovar, and was targeted by Yugoslav People's Army
(JNA) forces for a tank breakthrough into the town. Consequently, during the period of September 14-20, 1991, JNA launched some of the largest tank and infantry attacks at the city.
One of them was started on September 18 from the north on Trpinjska cesta by the JNA's 51st Mechanized Brigade's one battalion of about 30 tanks and 30 APCs. These fell into an ambush, and were almost wiped out; as a result, an area where the fighting occurred was nicknamed "tank graveyard".
Marko Babić himself is credited with destroying 14 tanks, more than anyone in the battle of Vukovar. The 2nd episode of the 2005 10-part TV documentary Heroes of Vukovar is dedicated to Babić and his fighters.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
at time of death) that served during the Croatian 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...
.
He is most notable for his contribution during 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,...
, where he led the defence of Trpinjska Cesta.
Babić was second in command in the 3rd Battalion of the 204th Vukovar Brigade
204th Vukovar Brigade
The 204th Vukovar Brigade of the Croatian Army was a military unit of the Republic of Croatia that led the defence of the city of Vukovar during the 1991 Battle of Vukovar, in the Croatian War of Independence....
, under Blago Zadro
Blago Zadro
Blago Zadro was a commander of the northern part of Croatian defense forces in Vukovar during the Croatian War of Independence...
. This area was one of the most direct ways to attack Vukovar, and was targeted by Yugoslav People's Army
Yugoslav People's Army
The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...
(JNA) forces for a tank breakthrough into the town. Consequently, during the period of September 14-20, 1991, JNA launched some of the largest tank and infantry attacks at the city.
One of them was started on September 18 from the north on Trpinjska cesta by the JNA's 51st Mechanized Brigade's one battalion of about 30 tanks and 30 APCs. These fell into an ambush, and were almost wiped out; as a result, an area where the fighting occurred was nicknamed "tank graveyard".
Marko Babić himself is credited with destroying 14 tanks, more than anyone in the battle of Vukovar. The 2nd episode of the 2005 10-part TV documentary Heroes of Vukovar is dedicated to Babić and his fighters.
External links
- Javno.hr: Umro umirovljeni pukovnik Marko Babić
- Jutarnji.hr: Umro Marko Babić - odlazak heroja s Trpinjske ceste (accessed through Web Archives)