Croatian Defence Council - Problems in The Functioning

Problems in The Functioning

Croatian Defence Council in the Bosnian War was newly formed militia armies, neither of which had appropriate experience, sufficient training, sound organization, effective command, control and communications, established doctrine or adequate logistical support. HVO was primarily light infantry forces with minimal combat support (artillery, air defense, engineers, signal). It had only rudimentary combat service support (logistical) systems that were barely a step above living off the land. Transportation and medical services were barely adequate and they could boast of air support or aerial transport worthy of the name. Croatian Defense Council forces evolved from the Territorial Defense (TO) organization of the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). They shared elements of a common defense policy, strategic and tactical doctrine, organizational structures, administrative methods, and other holdovers from the JNA. To the degree that any of their officers had formal military training or experience, it had been obtained in the JNA, usually in the form of brief active duty training followed by service in the TO forces. On the whole, there were few officers in the HVO who had risen much beyond captain first class in the JNA, although army had a sprinkling of career JNA officers in its ranks. Formal military training of any kind was at a premium at all levels. When war broke out, the HVO did not yet exist as a separate entity. Army take time to work out organizational and administrative problems, to develop an effective combat style and competency, and to develop and impose rules and regulations.