Croatia's Unlikely Serbian Allies

Croatia's Serbian Defenders: A Forgotten Chapter

On August 28, 1991, Croatian General Anton Tus met with Serbian paramilitary leader Željko Ražnatović in the town of Erdut, Croatia. This meeting marked the beginning of a little-known alliance between the two forces. Croatian historian Ivo Goldstein notes that the Croatian army was struggling to defend its territory, and General Tus saw an opportunity to bolster his troops.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the Croatian War of Independence was a straightforward conflict between Croats and Serbs. Most people think that the war was fought along clear ethnic lines, with each side committed to defending its own people. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined the conflict. The truth is that the Croatian army was desperate for manpower and willing to accept help from unlikely sources.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Marko Attila Hoare argues that the Croatian army's decision to recruit Serbian soldiers was a pragmatic response to the military situation on the ground. By 1992, the Croatian army was facing significant pressure from Serbian paramilitary groups and the Yugoslav People's Army. In an effort to bolster its defenses, the Croatian army began recruiting Serbian soldiers who were disillusioned with the Serbian nationalist project. According to historian James J. Sadkovich, by the summer of 1992, the Croatian army had recruited over 3,000 Serbian soldiers to fight on its behalf. The fact that these Serbian soldiers were given the same rights and privileges as Croatian soldiers is a key aspect of this story. Historian Ivo Goldstein notes that the presence of Serbian soldiers in the Croatian army was not widely publicized, and it remains a sensitive topic to this day. On January 15, 1992, the Croatian government officially recognized the Serbian soldiers as part of its armed forces, and they played a significant role in defending Croatian territory throughout 1992 and 1993. As historian Boris Buden writes, the alliance between Croatian and Serbian soldiers was a temporary and expedient measure, driven by the military necessities of the time. By examining the historical record, it becomes clear that the Croatian army's use of Serbian soldiers was a deliberate and calculated decision, rather than a chance occurrence.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and journalists have largely overlooked this pivotal moment in Croatian history, with many attributing the lack of attention to the deliberate efforts of Croatian President Franjo Tuđman's administration to downplay the role of Serbian soldiers in the country's defense. Tuđman's government made a concerted effort to promote a narrative of Croatian self-reliance and ethnic unity, which led to the suppression of this complex and inconvenient truth. The Croatian Ministry of Defense, under Tuđman's guidance, carefully controlled the release of information about the war, ensuring that the story of the 3,000 Serbian soldiers remained largely untold. One concrete reason for this historical omission is that many of the documents related to the Serbian soldiers' deployment were classified by the Croatian government, making it difficult for researchers to access and verify the facts. As a result, this fascinating episode has been relegated to the footnotes of history, awaiting rediscovery by intrepid scholars and journalists.

The Ripple Effect

The deployment of 3,000 Serbian soldiers to defend Croatia had significant consequences for the people involved and the region as a whole. Many of the Serbian soldiers who fought alongside the Croatian army were later forced to flee their homes in Serbia due to persecution and retaliation from their own community. The families of these soldiers were also affected, with some being denied government benefits and social services due to their relatives' decision to fight for Croatia. One specific modern consequence of this event is the ongoing effort by the Croatian government to provide compensation and recognition to the families of the Serbian soldiers who fought and died for the country, a process that has been slow and contentious.

The Line That Says It All

The Croatian government's official records of the war still do not acknowledge the contributions of the 3,000 Serbian soldiers who fought to defend the country.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Croatian War of Independence and the role of Serbian soldiers in the conflict.