Garda Panteri

The Garda Panteri (Specijalna Brigada Garda Panteri) (Serbian: Специјална бригада Гарда Пантери) was an elite unit used by the Army of Republika Srpska during the Bosnian War. It was founded on 2 May 1992 under the initial name of the Serbian National Guard of the Serbian Autonomous Region (SAO) of Semberija and Majevica (Српска национална гарда САО Семберија и Мајевица, Srpska Nacionalna Garda SAO Semberija i Majevica), adopting the name "Garda Panteri" in honour of previous fallen commander Branko Pantelić 'Panter', by Ljubiša Savić 'Mauzer' and members of the Serbian Solidarity Fund. It fought in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1996) during the Yugoslav Wars.[1]

Garda Panteri
Emblem of the Garda Panteri, modeled after the logo of British auto company Jaguar Cars.
Active1992–1996
TypeLight infantry
Size2,000 members
Part ofArmy of Republika Srpska
Nickname(s)Panteri
PatronBranko "Panter" Pantelić
Mascot(s)Panther
AnniversariesMay 2
VehiclesKamion FAP-13, OT M-60 P, M53/59 Praga, T-55, TAM 110, TAM 5000, Terenski Automobile
EngagementsOperation Corridor 92
DecorationsOrder of Nemanjić, Order of Karađorđe's Star
Commanders
1st CommanderBranko "Panter" Pantelić
2nd CommanderLjubiša "Mauzer" Savić
3rd CommanderLjubiša "Ljuti" Lazić
Aircraft flown
Antonov An-2, UTVA-75

Creation and organisation

The Serbian Solidarity Fund, managed by Ljubiša Savić, began preparing for the defense of Serb territory in Majevica amid inter-ethnic tensions between Serbs and Bosniaks in 1991 and 1992. Around 1,000 members readily available for military action were stationed and monitored the situation in preparation to defend the Serb population in Bijeljina and Semberija, should they face armed aggression. During the night of March the 31st, 1992, barricades were laid by pro-SDA forces in an attempt to take over command and authoritative control of Bijeljina.[2]

Serb forces quickly rallied themselves and with the aid of Željko Ražnatović removed the barriers. The pro-SDA forces then called for talks with SDS officials and leadership of Bijeljina. After these events, the 1,000 members of the Serbian Solidarity Fund and Ljubiša Savić created the unit with the name Serbian National Guard of the SAO of Semberija and Majevica, outside of the Motel Obrijež near Bijeljina.[2]

Despite being officially known as a Light Infantry Brigade due to terminology derived from the Yugoslav National Army (JNA), a notable aspect of the guard was its extensive use of various improvised armoured vehicles (Referred to as the 'Iron Battalion'). The creation of the vehicles was overseen by guard member Captain Mišel Ostojić.[3] The unit also had a small aviation detachment, utilising the Antonov AN-2(s) and Utva-75 for observation purposes. [4]

Wartime

The unit participated in many operations, namely the 'Corridor of Life' (Operation Corridor) and the liberation of Tinja and Smoluća. Other engagements included Zvornik, Brčko, Majevica, Posavina, Bratunac, Ozren, Sarajevo, Kupres and Bihać. The unit was famous, receiving volunteers from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. [5] In total, the unit suffered 106 dead and around 750 wounded fighters, with the loss of commander Branko Pantelić, who was killed while fighting in Majevica, 1992.

Vulović in Panteri attire circa 1993-1994

In 1993, turbo-folk singer Rodoljub Vulović released an album entitled 'Panteri', commemorating their achievements, tracks included 'Panteri', 'Mauzer', 'Panteru za sjećanje'.[6][3]

See also

References
  1. Srpska, RTRS, Radio Тelevizija Republike Srpske, Radio Television of Republic of. "ОБИЉЕЖЕНО 20 ГОДИНА ГАРДЕ "ПАНТЕРИ"".
  2. Srpska, RTRS, Radio Тelevizija Republike Srpske, Radio Television of Republic of. "ПАРАСТОС ЗА ПОГИНУЛЕ ПРИПАДНИКЕ ГАРДЕ "ПАНТЕРИ"".
  3. "Gardijska brigada "Panteri", Bijeljina". www.srpskioklop.paluba.info.
  4. Dimitrijević, Bojan B. Vazdušni Rat Nad Republikom Srpskom I Republikom Srpskom Krajinom. Serbia. ISBN 9788687877078.
  5. "Гарда Пантери". Јединица за специјалне операције (in Serbian). 2012-12-27. Retrieved 2017-10-21.
  6. "Udruženje "Garda Panteri": Smijenjeni predsjednik i rukovodstvo Udruženja /VIDEO/".
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