| Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik | |
|---|---|
Sveti Vlaho exhibited in Dubrovnik |
|
| Active | 1991–1992 |
| Country | Croatia |
| Branch | Navy |
| Type | Volunteer unit |
| Garrison/HQ | Dubrovnik |
| Engagements | Croatian War of Independence: |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Colonel Aljoša Nikolić |
Croatia's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik (Croatian: Odred naoružanih brodova Dubrovnik) was a volunteer unit of the Croatian Navy. The squadron, consisting of 23 vessels, mostly of runabout type, lightly armed and armored, was active in 1991 and 1992, during the Siege of Dubrovnik. The unit was crucial in the defense of Dubrovnik, providing a resupply route to the Dubrovnik population and troops defending the besieged city. The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence in 2006. Surviving squadron members founded an eponymous association in 2011, tasked with preserving the heritage of the unit.
Croatia's Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was a volunteer military unit of the Croatian Navy. It served with distinction during the Siege of Dubrovnik, and was one of the key factors in the successful defense of the city. Colonel Aljoša Nikolić was a founder and commander of the squadron.[1][2]
The Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was tasked with breaching the Dubrovnik naval blockade and maintaining a supply corridor that was instrumental to delivery of materiel necessary to successfully defend the city, including food, fuel, medical supplies, arms and ammunition. The squadron also transported reinforcements from other parts of Croatia and evacuated wounded out of Dubrovnik, proving a lifeline for the besieged troops and civilian population. Start of operations of the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik is associated with the first voyage of Sveti Vlaho (English: St. Blaise) runabout on September 23, 1991. The squadron consisted of 23 craft of various sizes and 117 volunteers.[3] Craft armaments included machine guns, mortars and directional fragmentation mines.[4][5][6] During its existence in 1991 and 1992, the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik runabouts motored more than 52,000 nautical miles (96,000 kilometres; 60,000 miles), transported approximately 6,000 troops and civilians, approximately a hundred wounded and 2,000 tonnes of various cargo.[3] Sveti Vlaho, the first naval vessel to fly the Croatian flag in combat and the first ship of the squadron, was originally an Italian smuggling runabout that was confiscated by the authorities, fitted with armor and used by the squadron until December 6, 1991 when it was sunk in Gruž by a 9K11 Malyutka missile. The unit ceased operations in 1992 as the forces besieging Dubrovnik were defeated.[2][5] Sveti Vlaho was the second Croatian Navy vessel overall, preceded by eight days by a landing craft designated DJB-103.[7]
In May 2006, the Armed Boats Squadron Dubrovnik was decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for bravery during the Croatian War of Independence, however no squad member was ever promoted as a naval officer nor awarded any wartime decorations.[8] Absence of the Armed Boat Squadron volunteers was noted on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of arrival of Libertas convoy to the besieged Dubrovnik. The squadron members explained that they were not contacted nor consulted about the celebration.[9] On August 11, 2011, surviving members of the squadron founded the Armed Boat Squadron Association whose objective is to preserve unit's heritage, document its contribution to the Croatian War of Independence and render assistance to its members and other similar associations in Croatia regarding preservation and promotion of role of Croatian soldiers in achieving independence of the Republic of Croatia.[10] Sveti Vlaho was refloated in 2001, restored and put on exhibit in Batala park in Dubrovnik.[3][1]