CROATIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE - 84th Guard Battalion “the Termites”

The Croatian Army’s 84th Guard Battalion “the Termites” was a mountain assault guard unit from Zadar with a number of significant achievements over the course of the Croatian War of Independence, especially in operations Summer ‘95 and Storm, together with the actions that preceded the two.
It was formed as an elite unit with experienced defenders. The Battalion comprised some former members of the 204th Vukovar Brigade of Croatian Army, the 112th Brigade and the 7th Home Guard Regiment from Zadar, some members of special Croatian army and police forces, as well as the 4th Guard Brigade and one platoon of “Rafael vitez Boban” Battalion of Croatian Defence Forces. During the Završje area battle for Šator mountain, “the Termites” were tasked with securing the area with a part of its units. They managed to secure the area covering a very demanding terrain and to conduct a commando action in broad daylight with a part of the 3rd company, destroying a special Chetnik military police stronghold and creating turmoil in the enemy ranks.
The unit held a Velebit defence line, being deployed to Livno on 24 and 25 July 1995 to participate in Operation Summer ‘95 with the goal of preventing the enemy’s attack on Bihać, taking over Bosansko Grahovo and Glamoč, as well as creating the prerequisites for the liberation of Knin and the remaining occupied area of northern Dalmatia and Lika. For their extraordinary effort in winning over the 47 well-fortified Chetnik bunkers, “the Termites” received a written commendation from the President of the Republic of Croatia, dr. Franjo Tuđman and the Minister of Defence Gojko Šušak.
“The Termites” had a complex task during Operation Storm as well. Joining the special police forces, they occupied the dominant strategic marks Tulove grede and Ošćenica, inflicting heavy loss of life to Serb forces on the very first day of the action. After conquering the enemy positions on Velebit, they transferred to Gračac area on 7 August. The unit moved towards Srb afterwards, conquering the Una river canyon in cooperation with the 4th and the 7th guard brigades. Sergeant Dean Nikpalj and Major Senad Župan were killed in these combat actions, with 14 “Termites” wounded.
Following the Operation Storm, “the Termites” were deployed to Southern Front to neutralise the Montenegrin and Yugoslavian aspirations for the Prevlaka peninsula. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2014, the 84th Guard Battalion was awarded the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for its bravery in the Croatian War of Independence through the decision of the President of the Republic of Croatia. Author of the Termites’ emblem: Nilo Karuc

 
Joso Vukić
retired Sergeant Major and the Vice President of the Termites Zadar Association