Operation Otkos 10

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

After the attacking forces of the 5th Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) corps (Banja Luka corps) had successfully crossed Sava river into Croatia captured Okučani in western Slavonia it was their primary objective to advance along Pakrac - Grubišno Polje route and link up with th 28th partisan division on Bilogora hill, sever Podravska magistrala road route and reach Hungarian border thus completely severing Slavonia from the remainder of Croatia, including the capital, Zagreb.

Croatian War of Independence
Plitvice Lakes - Borovo Selo - Vukovar - Gospić - Otkos 10 - Orkan 91 - Miljevci - Maslenica - Medak Pocket - Flash - Storm

In order to prevent this, Croatian troops have undertaken their first offensive operation of this scale during the homeland war, with the aim of securing Bilogora hills and capturing favourable positions for further advance towards Papuk mountains to the southeast thus securing land communication between Slavonia and the rest of Croatia.

Croatian troops involved included Croatian army 127th brigade (Virovitica), 57th battalion and National defense detachment (Grubišno Polje), 24th mixed artillery battalion, 52nd battalion (Daruvar), a tank platoon of 105th brigade (Bjelovar), 19th mixed antitank artillery battalion (Virovitica), special police forces from Bjelovar, and a Križevci volunteer company.

The operation lasted from October 31, 1991, until November 4, 1991, Croatian troops have successfully met their objectives, and liberated 21 villages and approximately 270 square kilometers of territory.

More importantly, a strategic supply route via Virovitica - Grubišno Polje - Kutina road was reopened. Furthermore, this operation set the stage for the Operation Orkan 91 which marked yet another advance by Croatian army in this area.