Third Balkan War (1953-1957)

Serbian officer gives a soldier instructions during the battle of Dubrovnik

### Result

Ceasefire agreed by Serbia and Croatia in 1957,relations slowly repair.Bulgaria occupies and annexes North Macedonia

### Casualties

Total:51,257.Injured:200,000 Missing:100,000

The Third Balkan War of 1953-1957 was a 4 year long conflict between The Socialist Republic of Serbia and The Socialist Republic of Croatia over control of former Yugoslav lands after the break up in June.The war was fought using guerrilla tactis,urban warfare and convential warfare.On the 18th of November,Zagreb sent Belgrade an order to withdraw troops from Bosnia,but when they refused,Croatian troops led a offensive on the 19th of November.The Serbs built in,constructing defensive positions and launching counteroffensives.The conflict witnessed a series of major battles in various strategic locations across Croatia. Cities such as Vukovar, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Knin, Slavonski Brod, and Sisak become significant battlegrounds where both sides fiercely contest control.Sarajevo,Mostar,Banja Luka and Tuzla become battlegrounds in Bosnia and Belgrade,Novi Sad,Kragujevac in Serbia and Skopje in North Macedonia.Over 50,000 men died fighting and 100,000 are still missing,thousands of families were displaced as war crimes were comitted by both sides throughout the front.The war lasted until October 1957 when a ceasefire was agreed between the two and their relations would slowly grow back.

## Background

Yugoslavia split up in June 1953.4 states emerged,Slovenia,Croatia,Serbia and North Macedonia.In August Croatia invaded and occupied Slovenia as did Serbia with North Macedonia,This would cause tensions to rise between the two nations as both wanted control over the Balkans.Serbia also wanted to liberate their people living in Croatian territory.In September,some areas declared autonomy from Croatia,forming The Serbs of Croatia.Serbia claimed these lands as theirs now but Croatia didn't recognise that.The Warsaw Pact backed the Serbs but Croatia wouldn't let go.On the 15th of September,The Croatian army marched into these lands to show that they owned it.Both sides claimed historical, cultural, and strategic justifications for their positions, leading to a volatile and hostile environment.

The Serbs in Croatia looked to Serbia for their protection from the Croatian Army,but any Serbian involvement would be seen as an act of war by Croatia.Croatia sought to establish itself as a sovereign state with a strong Croatian identity and to prevent any secessionist movements within its borders.

In October diplomatic negotiations were held from the 2nd to 29th.These broke down as neither side wanted to accept the demands made against themselves,and escalating tensions eventually led to a full-scale military confrontation between Croatia and Serbia.

## Military Might of both nations

### Croatian Army (Hrvatska kopnena vojska)

The Croatian had 500,000 men in active service before the war was declared,these men would consist of regular army units, including infantry, armored and mechanized units, artillery, and support elements.Due to its formation only a few months back it was be in the process of organization, training, and equipping its forces.

### Croatian Air Force (Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo)

After its creation,Croatia occupied many airfields,taking all the planes inside that they could get,this meant that they had a good amount of fighter and transport planes readily available to them.25,000 men served in the Air Force.It focused on maintaining air superiority, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance capabilities.

### Croatian Navy (Hrvatska ratna mornarica)

Croatia was never known for their naval power.After becoming a nation they only had a few ships primarily focused on coastal defense and maritime patrol.They weren't meant to be fit for naval warfare.It only had a couple patrol boats,some minesweepers and support ships to protect its waters.

### Serbian Army (Kopnena vojska Srbije)

Serbian might was present in its Military,Over 750,000 men were in active service before the war,They were comprised of infantry, armored units, artillery, and other supporting elements.Due to their partisan acts during World War II,their forces were better expierenced and equipped than the Croatian Army.

### Serbian Air Force (Ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazduhoplovna odbrana Vojske Srbije)

The Air Force just like Croatia wasn't the best,it would only compromise of a few transport and fighter planes.Later in war they were supplied with bombers via the Soviet Union.The Air Force would aim to provide air support, maintain air defense capabilities, and protect strategic targets.

### Croatian Generals

Lieutenant General Ante Gotovina

General Janko Bobetko

Army General Rahim Ademi

### Serbian Generals

Army General Ratko Mladić

General Momčilo Perišić

Military Commander Zdravko Tolimir

## Outbreak of War

On the 18th of November,Zagreb sent Belgrade an order to withdraw its troops from Bosnia as it feared Serbia would try to use those forces to enter the lands they claimed.When Serbia refused,Croatia declared war on the 19th of November and quickly led an offensive into Serbian Bosnia and Serbia.Serbia quickly mobilised to fight back and soon enough the first Major Battle occured Mostar.The city fell to the Croatians after minimal resistance from the Serbs as they had no troops stationed near.Croatian forces occupied Banja Luka aswell.

## Battle of Bosnia

The first major front of the war was The Battle of Bosnia that lasted from the 20th of November to the 17th of April 1954.Croatia's first offensive captured some of the cities but soon Serbian forces entered and began to fight back.This would result of the Battle of Sarajevo.Which lasted until January when the Serbs retreated from the city.It was left in ruins as Croatian forces burned many buildings to the ground.This was a major blow for Serbia and their loss at The Battle of Tuzla wouldn't make their situation any better.Croatian forces declared victory over Serbia,They had reached the Bosnian-Serbian border and minor clashes begun on it.Serbian begun a counteroffensive into Bosnia in February but this failed and they took considerable casualties

## Invasion of Serbia

After their victory in Bosnia,Croatian troops mounted on an assault on Serbian land.This begun on the 28th of April and would last until June 1955.The first major battle that occured was Novi Sad,a month long battle where the Croatian forces came out victorious.Their constant air bombing and artillery shelling led to Serbians to surrender the city.Going along the Danube,Croatian forces could see Belgrade.And the Battle of Belgrade had begun.It would begin on the 4th of May until the 16th of July.Serbian troops do not want to give up their capital and fierce fighting ensues between the two sides,In the streets,the air and the water.The Serbs stall the Croatian Advance until October when the entire city is burning,The Serbians exit the city to retreat and on the 16th of October,The Croatian flag flew over Belgrade.

Advancing South,Croatian forces met the Serbian defenders at the Battle of Kragujevac.Where they are finally stopped by the Serbs from advancing South,Tough resistance withstands the Croatian advance and they are held there until January of the next year.In February though,Dark times would hit Serbia,As the Bulgarians intervene

## Bulgaria occupies North Macedonia

North Macedonia was occupied by Serbia after it declared independence,and now seeing how weak Serbia really could be,Bulgaria sees its chance,and on the 2nd of February,crosses the border into Serbia and swiftly advances towards Skopje.On the 3rd major offensives begun against barely any Serbian resistance at first,They fought at Kumanovo which ended in major Bulgarian victory.Bulgaria arrived on the outskirts of Skopje on the 18th and would fight its way through as Serbian resistance was big.Skopje finally fell to Bulgaria on the 21st and now they had control over the region,posing even more problems for Serbia as they feared if they launched their counteroffensive against Croatia,Bulgaria would attack from the South,Bulgaria declared that it would not engage with Serbian forces anymore though as they had gotten what they wanted.

## Serbian Counteroffensive

On the 21st of September 1955,The Serbian counteroffensive to retake Belgrade began,they defeated Croatian forces completely in Kragujevac and advanced swiftly towards the Danube,They met with the Croatians at Mladenovac which ended in Serbian victory and on the 19th of October they had reached the Danube.The offensive caught the Croatians off-guard as they had expected Bulgaria to continue pushing into Serbia and thought they could pull some troops back,huge mistake.On the 21st of October,The Defense or the 2nd Battle of Belgrade begins.

Croatia tries to hold the city,but the pride of the Serbs is unbeatable and the city falls on the 30th to Sebria,they have their capital back and now can launch their offensive into Bosnia,This could end the war if Croatia does not hold on.Loznica is the first town to fall on the Bosnian border and soon on the 15th of November,Serbian forces enter their Bosnian territory at the Battle of Višegrad.

## Bosnia retaken

On the 6th of December,the march towards Sarajevo is begun.Serbia fights its way through Bosnia occupied most of the land it took and on the 19th they reach Sarajevo.The resulting second battle lasts until March ending in stalement with neither side really becoming the winner after all.It goes better for the Serbs at the Second Battle of Tunza though as they score a victory against Croatia,and on the 30th,Serbian forces enter Croatia,Osijek falls to them with minimal resistance as Croatia was not expecting an attack.A similar attack occurs near the Montenegren border.

## Battle of Dubrovnik

This is the deadliest battle of the war,Over 40,000 injured and 7,500 dead.Dubrvonik was a key city for Croatia,being one the biggest in the country.On the 14th of January,an artilerry bombardment begins,taking out some of the bunkers that were scattered around the city.On the 16th,Serbian tanks begin to fire at the city as artillery continues to bombard it.On the 18th,Serbian forces begin the street battle,Tight streets go in favour of the Croatians but due to the Serbians setting fire and using civilians as shields,the Croatian defenders retreat to the North of the city,where they make a last stand that lasts until February 1956.Dubrovnik falls and this was the last major battle of the war.

## Trench Warfare and Stalemate

From April 1956 to the end of the war in 1957,there are no major battles as both sides dig into trenches to withstand eachothers attacks,Artillery bombardment and air raids leave the countryside of Bosnia burning,And thousands of dead are buried in mass graves around the country.War crimes are comitted against people of the opposite ethnicity.Bosnians were the most persecuted with labour camps being set up behind the frontlines to house any prisoners and Bosnians.Both sides suffered significant casualties, and the civilian population bears the brunt of the violence, with widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.

## Ceasefire

August 1957,The war ends,no side wins,The border is almost exactly the same as before the war and all thats left of Bosnia is burning countryside.Croatian and Serbian delegants meet in Sarajevo to discuss peace as international pressure and exhaustion on both sides lead to a desire for a peaceful resolution,which is accepted by both on the 5th of August.The ceasefire is put into effect on the 10th.Both sides agree to destroy their labour camps and try to build back relations.

## Aftermath

There are no major territorial changes as even the Serbian areas of Croatia stay inside Croatia,to their dismay,they were persecuted throughout the war and now could not have a voice as their leading activists were murdered during the war.The war had undoubtedly a profound humanitarian impact. The conflict resulted in the displacement of civilians, loss of life, and significant infrastructure damage. Both sides faced the challenges of rebuilding and providing assistance to affected populations. The war's impact on the economies of both Croatia and Serbia was significant. The rebuilding of infrastructure, restoration of productive capacities, and revival of trade and investment was critical for economic recovery. International financial assistance and cooperation was sought to support the reconstruction efforts.