 After Croatia launched the Battle of the Barracks to capture JNA facilities in Croatia on 14 – 15 September, the JNA launched a small-scale operation against Vukovar to relieve the city garrison. At the same time, it began large-scale mobilization in preparation for its campaign in Croatia. It was met with widespread refusal of mobilised personnel to report to their designated units, desertions and an overall lack of enthusiasm for the campaign. This resulted in low troop availability, forcing the JNA to deploy fewer infantry units. Response to the mobilisation was particularly poor in Central Serbia, where only 26 percent of those called-up reported for service.
