YUGOSLAV WARS
A Slovenian defence force – under-gunned, outmanned and under-resourced – valiantly held back the Yugoslav People’s Army as it sent waves of attacks to try and prevent Slovenian independence
On 25 June 1991, after six months of waiting to negotiate a peaceful independence, the results of Slovenia’s independence referendum were passed into law and added to the constitution. Across this newly established nation, Yugoslavian flags were now proudly swapped out for the Slovenian flag, and new signs that read “REPUBLIKA SLOVENIJA” were put up in place of the old “SFR JUGOSLAVIA – SR SLOVENIJA” signs. This was a definitive moment in the emergence of a country free from the overlordship of Yugoslavia. At this same moment in Belgrade, Serbia, Slobodan Miloševic gave his approval for the Yugoslav People’s Army (YPA) to invade Slovenia to prevent its breakaway. The YPA, with its vastly superior resources, was under the impression that the Slovenians would be easily defeated.
At around 1am on 27 June, a convoy of YPA tanks and anti-aircraft vehicles crossed the Slovenian border: war had begun. The YPA convoy was moving to secure Brnik Airport but its advance was slowed by barricades constructed by locals. After word spread that such barricades were an effective method to hinder the YPA, the Slovenian people began to construct roadblocks across the country. Yet despite its progress being slowed, the convoy reached Brnik Airport at around 5pm. Several other YPA convoys simultaneously moved into Slovenia, and although Slovenian armed forces inflicted a few casualties and captured some YPA units, the YPA achieved most of its objectives.
Now under siege, the Slovenian military responded, and its defence force swelled in size with reservists and civilians arming themselves. Meanwhile, the Slovenian Ministry of Defence ordered a new offensive strategy that focused on the surrender of YPA forces and the seizing of YPA equipment.
During the following days Slovenian forces attacked the YPA as it moved through villages across the country, slowing its advance and inflicting damage on YPA resources. The Slovenians recorded several victories that raised their morale, such as capturing the Holmec border crossing facility and forcing 91 YPA soldiers to surrender. In addition, several YPA weapons caches were captured, which helped improve the effectiveness of the Slovenian defence. Several YPA tanks were also destroyed.
The YPA was bewildered by the tenacity of the Slovenian forces. In response, over the next few days the YPA issued two demands for surrender, and then withdrew to near the Croatian border to regroup as it readied an air assault.
On 2 July, fighting restarted. The YPA, under the belief that it was now better prepared, crossed the border back into Slovenia but once again came under fire from defence forces. The Slovenians marshalled the YPA
