Blog 09: OP-Tango 2 in Jajici and Sugar Hill

OP-Tango 2 in Jajici and Sugar Hill

It is known for most of the people that during the fall of Srebrenica Dutchbat was based in Potocari. Less know is the fact that a part of Dutchbat was also based in Simin Han, approximately 65 kilometers east of Srebrenica and closed to Tuzla. On top of the main building on the compound an observation post (OP Golf) was built to observe all military movements from and to the Sapna dumb.

 

 Outside Simin Han, in the hills of Jajici, another observation post (OP Tango 2) was built to observe the fighting between the Serbs and Bosniaks. OP T2 existed of 2 other OP’s, OP 1 and OP II (equipped with a TOW anti weapon). From the OP-T2 observers had a good view on airbase Tuzla and Sugar Hill. This hill, formally named mountain Vis, was a heavily fortified artillery post of the Bosnian Serbs. From Sugar Hill many Bosnian villages in the Sapna have been hit by artillery.

Sugar Hill in 1994

The Sapna thump was surrounded by the Bosnian Serbs (VRS) and the Sapna thumb was defended by the ABiH (Bosnian Army).
In the beginning of 1994, OP-T2 was operated by the Swedish part from Norbat which existed of 1.400 Danish, Norwegian and Swedish soldiers equipped with 10 Leopard battle tanks. This unit was the only unit in Bosnia equipped with heavy battle tanks and the Danish ignored the opposition of the UNPROFOR command because in the UNPROFOR view these battle tanks could escalate the tense balance.

On 29th April 1994 again the Bosnian Serbs shelled OP-T2 with artillery and heavy mortars. The Danish Leopards started to support their shelled colleagues who were under heavy artillery fire in OP-T2, but the column came under attack by shelling and anti-tank weapons. In the 2 hour firefight, which was the first firefight by Danish soldiers since the 2nd World War, the Danish fired 72 105mm tank rounds, 44 were brisant, 9 phosphor and 19 armour pierce. The tanks destroyed several artillery pieces, bunkers and an ammunition depot. Shortly after the clash, the VRS reported the loss of 9 men but other sources estimated around 150 soldiers having been killed and a similar number wounded. This “showing the flag” has been seen as a strong message because after this fire fight, the area was more quiet as before. However the disadvantage was that the VRS tightened their grip on the safe haven Srebrenica by closing the direct and short connection between Tuzla and Srebrenica. The only possibility to transport supporting goods from Support Command in Lukavac to Srebrenica was via Sarajevo. These strugglings to sufficient support Dutchbat in Srebrenica lead to a slow but steady strangulation of the enclave and ends with the disastrous fall of Srebrenica.

Together with a collegue I visited OP-T2 on 7th December 1994 and our job was to remove an old low voltage switchgear and to install a brand-new switch gear.
During the trip the convoy traveled from Simin Han to Jajici. The situation was still very tense with several shelling close to the OP during the last weeks. Our 2 Mercedes 4x4’s, light DAF truck (called “4 tonner”) and a water truck were protected by 2 armored YPR’s.

1994-We passed many destroyed houses, mosques and other buildings

1994-View from OP-T2 and below the frontlines and the Serbs located on the green fields below.

 

2018-Today's view in the same direction

During our activities the Serbs were continuously shelling the area around the OP but in the beginning og the day not so close that it was necessary to shelter in the bunker. However later that day the Serbs fired (a) shell(s) very close to the OP, so we rushed to the bunker.

 

2018-Today this container which was placed inside the bunker is still in use as storage

I forgot how many hours we sheltered in the central bunker but after a while the situation was more or less quiet and the area was proven as safe and we finished our job outside the bunker.

Full of adrenaline we drove back to Simin Han, expecting every minute another attack.

1994-location of the OP

 2018-The location today: repaired house

Even today I can remember lots of flash backs: houses, hills, buildings, and mosques. At the present location we met Mirza. He is the son of the former owner of the house below. He fighted between 1992 and 1995 against the Serbs. He is still living in the house below and is a small farmer. We also met his father who is still alive and he even know the names of the commander and the more or less permanent staff of the OP. This was a unforgettable visit and meeting. 

1994-location of the OP

 

  2018-The location today: repaired house

Serbian Revenge

On 29th March 1995 Jeffrey Broere was killed in a similar attack we experienced on the 7th December 1994. After a mortar shelling very close to the OP, the men of the OP rushed into the bunker. Exactly on that point in time a mortarshell landed exactly in between the houses and the bunker and Jeffrey was hit and was severely injured and was moved by an armored YPR to Kalesija and died of his wounds on his way to the Norwegian hospital. Jeffrey Broere was 20 years old and passed away only days short of his 21st birthday on 1st April.

In some analyses which have been made later it was recognized that the Serbs planned the shellings around the OP in the weeks prior to the death of Jeffrey in such a way that they could exactly determine the location in between the bunker and other building. By firstly shelling close to the bunker and thereafter in this determined location the Serbs were sure that they should hit someone.

Picture below: Source Telegraaf

On 29 March 2005, exactly 20 years after Jeffrey's death, the community of Jajici and Kalesija unveiled a memorial stone on the location where Jeffrey was killed. In front of the house, where the Dutchbat unit manned the observation post, a simple white stone has been placed. The ceremony was attended by most of the villagers of Jajici. It made clear that Jeffrey’s death as soldier from a country far away has made quite an impact and has not been forgotten.

After 24 years it seems that it is still a miracle that I am a live …….