Battle of Vukovar

The first Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and other conflicts cast a shadow on the Croatian War of Independence in the eyes of the world. But one of the most spectacular battles in recent years took place within it. In 1991, the Yugoslavian People's Army, a military force made up of Yugoslavians and Serbians determined to put down the independence movement, came up against the Eastern Croatian settlement of Vukovar.

There were about 2,000 defenders of Vukovar, of which only 300 were members of the national guard, 300 were police, and the remainder were civilian volunteers. Only 50% of the population had even a hunting rifle. They were fortunate to own a respectable collection of rocket launchers. The attackers had more than 35,000 soldiers, 400 tanks, and air support against them. On August 25, after a protracted artillery barrage, the battle started.

The Croatians stretched out the war for 87 days against the enemy's overwhelming power, even on days when up to 11,000 bombs were shot into the town. The Croatians not only lost many soldiers to the invaders while also suffering 1,600 losses themselves, but they also destroyed more than 110 tanks. While severely demoralizing the Yugoslavian military, the protracted stand was strategically crucial for the remainder of Croatia in terms of mobilizing armed forces and rousing the populace. In January 1992, the People's Army retreated from Croatia while declaring victory, much like the Ottomans had done before them.

Long after the conflict was over, the city was still suffering devastation. Tens of thousands of non-Serbian inhabitants were ejected from the village shortly after. For those who persisted, everything from sewage to electricity had been disrupted, and many structures, including the hospital, had been destroyed. Serbian villagers faced brutal treatment once Croatia seized control (who had comprised about a third of the population). Many buildings in Serbian neighborhoods remained unrepaired even decades afterwards.

Date: 25 August – 18 November 1991(2 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
Location: Vukovar, Croatia
Result: Pyrrhic Yugoslav victory

• Expulsion of Croat and other non-Serb civilians from Vukovar
  
• Vukovar incorporated into SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia