June 30th 1991, a song of sirens

Betonov · 06-30-11, 11:06 AM

Slovenians woke up to a rude awakening this sunday morning. For the first time since 1945 Europe heard air-raid sirens. There were reports of aircraft taking of from croatian airfields all morning. Most were small attack craft bombing the baricades, but a squadron of bombers were actually on their way. Due to being in a communist state, shelters were not in short supply and people were trained how to react (mandatory evacuation exercises were conducted twice a year, every civilian had to attend). The attack never came. The bombers had to turn back, because they would violate Austrias and Italy's airspace while returning. One of the targets was Preseren's birth house, just 1km from my home. At 10:20 sirens sound again, this time for the end of danger.

''The people of Ljubljana were prepared for a military attack...'' and an empty street in old town (there's never less than 1000 people in this street)

The customs plateu in front of the Karavanken tunnel is attacked by the TO. The tunnel is the most important crossing into Austria in western Slovenia. An agreement is reached during the night and JNA troops whitdraw by morning.

Karavanke border crossing (1991) and the tunnel (today)

Troughout the rest of the country the war went with the same pace. Column at Medvedjek still blocked and cut off, barracks besieged and cut off from power and supplies. Increasing reports are intercepted to Belgrade that garrisons are ready to revolt and there are daily incidents of officers shooting conscripts that wish to surrender. Increasing incidents where TO soldiers are shooting at deserting troops thinking they're a recon force.
The JNA in Slovenia is falling apart. The JNA in Belgrade is preparing to go. Despite they couldn't get the clearance to send the entire army into war, two armoured battalions start towards Slovenia. They never reach the border because the trucks keep breaking down.
During the night a red civilian car is reported to be driving trough Ljubljana and shooting at civilian targets. The were true and the police quickly eliminates the ''Ljubljana terorist''. It is not know if it was a disgruntled Yugoslavian patriot or an inteligence agent ordered to cause havoc. He was the only casualty of the incident.

Negotiations with the EC continue. The events in Croatia work in Slovenias favor. Croatian militia tries to restore order in Knin, a Croat town populated mostly by serbs, which have declared an independent Serbian state. Serbia wants the JNA to be prepared to protect Serbian citizens there. Plans for withdrawal and relocation were underway. Serbs in Knin were more important than a (ethnic Serb free) runaway republic. Still, the fighting was not over. until the JNA returns to barracks and out of Slovenia the TO would continue with attacks.

An ironic twist of the war, one nation was saved by the same people, that later devastated three

Betonov · 06-30-11, 11:11 AM

Town of Knin, where the serbs declared their own state. Could be the trigger that started the wars in the balkans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knin

The Yugoslav leadership was divided into the old guard, the army high command and the nationalits, mostly politicians. While the army wanted to level Slovenia and restore the federation, the nationalists had different plans. It was a confusing time.

Gerald · 06-30-11, 11:33 AM

The Balkans war,I remember close

krashkart · 06-30-11, 05:25 PM

It's really interesting to read these summaries, Betonov. I was fifteen years old at the time and had little clue as to what was happening in the Balkans. The news was reporting about Slovenia, I'm sure, but I don't remember it. Later on, of course, we would hear more and more about the conflict in Bosnia as it continued.

06-30-11, 11:06 AM	#1
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	June 30th 1991, a song of sirens Slovenians woke up to a rude awakening this sunday morning. For the first time since 1945 Europe heard air-raid sirens. There were reports of aircraft taking of from croatian airfields all morning. Most were small attack craft bombing the baricades, but a squadron of bombers were actually on their way. Due to being in a communist state, shelters were not in short supply and people were trained how to react (mandatory evacuation exercises were conducted twice a year, every civilian had to attend). The attack never came. The bombers had to turn back, because they would violate Austrias and Italy's airspace while returning. One of the targets was Preseren's birth house, just 1km from my home. At 10:20 sirens sound again, this time for the end of danger. ''The people of Ljubljana were prepared for a military attack...'' and an empty street in old town (there's never less than 1000 people in this street) The customs plateu in front of the Karavanken tunnel is attacked by the TO. The tunnel is the most important crossing into Austria in western Slovenia. An agreement is reached during the night and JNA troops whitdraw by morning. Karavanke border crossing (1991) and the tunnel (today) Troughout the rest of the country the war went with the same pace. Column at Medvedjek still blocked and cut off, barracks besieged and cut off from power and supplies. Increasing reports are intercepted to Belgrade that garrisons are ready to revolt and there are daily incidents of officers shooting conscripts that wish to surrender. Increasing incidents where TO soldiers are shooting at deserting troops thinking they're a recon force. The JNA in Slovenia is falling apart. The JNA in Belgrade is preparing to go. Despite they couldn't get the clearance to send the entire army into war, two armoured battalions start towards Slovenia. They never reach the border because the trucks keep breaking down. During the night a red civilian car is reported to be driving trough Ljubljana and shooting at civilian targets. The were true and the police quickly eliminates the ''Ljubljana terorist''. It is not know if it was a disgruntled Yugoslavian patriot or an inteligence agent ordered to cause havoc. He was the only casualty of the incident. Negotiations with the EC continue. The events in Croatia work in Slovenias favor. Croatian militia tries to restore order in Knin, a Croat town populated mostly by serbs, which have declared an independent Serbian state. Serbia wants the JNA to be prepared to protect Serbian citizens there. Plans for withdrawal and relocation were underway. Serbs in Knin were more important than a (ethnic Serb free) runaway republic. Still, the fighting was not over. until the JNA returns to barracks and out of Slovenia the TO would continue with attacks. An ironic twist of the war, one nation was saved by the same people, that later devastated three

06-30-11, 11:33 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	The Balkans war,I remember close __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-30-11, 05:25 PM	#4
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	It's really interesting to read these summaries, Betonov. I was fifteen years old at the time and had little clue as to what was happening in the Balkans. The news was reporting about Slovenia, I'm sure, but I don't remember it. Later on, of course, we would hear more and more about the conflict in Bosnia as it continued. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard

06-30-11, 11:11 AM	#2
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Town of Knin, where the serbs declared their own state. Could be the trigger that started the wars in the balkans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knin The Yugoslav leadership was divided into the old guard, the army high command and the nationalits, mostly politicians. While the army wanted to level Slovenia and restore the federation, the nationalists had different plans. It was a confusing time.