PHOTOS: Original equipment from Operation Bljesak on display for first time
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: MORH)
A special exhibition commemorating the 30th anniversary of Operation Bljesak (Operation Flash), one of the key victories in the Croatian War of Independence, has opened at the Museum of Brodsko Posavlje in Slavonski Brod.
Opened last week, the exhibition honours the swift and decisive operation launched by Croatian forces on 1 May 1995, which in just over 30 hours liberated Western Slavonia and restored control over vital road and rail links in the region.
The operation involved around 7,200 Croatian soldiers and police officers. Fifty-one Croatian defenders lost their lives or died from injuries sustained, while 162 were wounded.
The Military Museum of the Croatian Ministry of Defence is taking part by exhibiting equipment used during the operation.
Among the key pieces on display are 60 mm, 82 mm, and 120 mm mortars, two 82 mm recoilless rifles (including a Chinese model), Browning machine guns (12.7 mm and 7.62 mm), and anti-tank missile systems such as the Maljutka, Metis, and Fagot.
(Photo: MORH)
Also featured is the cockpit and tail section of a MiG-21 flown by legendary Croatian pilot Rudolf Perešin during the operation.
The exhibition also includes items from the Croatian History Museum, Nova Gradiška City Museum, Kutina’s Museum of Moslavina, museums from Pakrac, local heritage collections from Novska, HVIDRA, and private collectors.
(Photo: MORH)
Visitors can explore a rich selection of photographs, maps, and archival footage, with audiovisual materials provided by Croatian Radiotelevision and the State Archive in Slavonski Brod.
(Photo: MORH)
War photographers featured include Željko Gašparović, Robert Belošević, Renato Branđolica, and Steve Gaunt.
(Photo: MORH)
The exhibition runs until September 2025.
