Bryan Bailey

The United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) was established in February 1992, ostensibly to provide immediate security for the settlement of the Yugoslavian crisis. I recall being very excited to deploy with 3 PPCLI as this was my first UN mission. I returned to 2 PPCLI in Winnipeg in January to assume command of a newly formed, reserve-heavy, rifle company (Coy). We underwent a whirlwind three months of intensive pre-deployment training which included three weeks of predominantly live fire training in California. I then deployed back to Croatia in late March of 1993 as an Acting Major in command of C Coy. 

In early August, much to everyone’s surprise, C and D Coys were deployed to Sector South (Krajina) which later led to the decision that the entirety of the Canadian Battalion would relieve a French Battalion in Sector South. Little did we know that soon, on 9 September the Croat forces would launch a major operation into the Medak Pocket. The Croat advance was eventually blunted at the outskirts of Medak by the Krajina Serb forces. On 14 September, the Canadian Battalion was given orders to implement a cease-fire agreement in the Medak Pocket and was allocated two additional French companies. C Coy was tasked to interpose itself between the combatants, and to open the Highway to Gospić, thereby permitting the remainder of the unit to push the Croats back to the previous line. Upon completion of that task, the unit was to collectively create a buffer zone and conduct a sweep to document suspected Croat ethnic cleansing. 

Early in the morning of 15 September, following very abbreviated battle procedure and reconnaissance, C Company deployed to three platoon locations between the Croat and the Serb frontlines. Our rapid deployment evidently caught the Croats by surprise, and we were greeted with weapons fire. After digging in, C Company weathered multiple Croat attacks and indirect fire for fifteen hours. Seven Platoon narrowly avoided an Anti-tank minefield as it secured the near Serb side of the highway. C Company’s next task was to cross no man’s land to open the highway. The highway itself was rendered impassable due to a belt of anti-tank mines. My Commanding Officer (CO) had prudently reconstituted the Anti-Armour platoon and grouped a Section of TOW anti-tank guided missiles under my command, which provided us much needed overwatch. After giving it some thought, I decided that my M113 armoured personnel carrier would lead across no man’s land. My guidance to the crew was clear — we would approach the Croats at a slow and steady pace. I ensured that our heavy machine gun would be trained over the Croats in a ready, but less threatening, manner. 

We set off precisely at 1200 hours. During our advance, we watched the Croats remove the tarps from their SAGGER anti-tank missile systems and ready their weapons. Stopping short of the anti-tank mines, I dismounted and initiated discussions with the senior officer present who refused passage. 

Events took a surprising but fleeting turn as the Croats picked up their mines and started to clear the highway. The order to carry out this activity was almost immediately countermanded with the arrival of a Croat General. My CO arrived and attempted to negotiate passage. Having no success, he convened a hasty press conference which compelled the Croat General to direct the removal of the mines, thereby permitting D Coy to cross into the Croat-dominated side of the pocket, followed by the French companies. In the end, the battalion successfully expelled the Croats from the pocket and established a buffer zone. It was abundantly evident that the Croats had conducted an ethnic cleansing and scorched earth operation which was documented in the UN special assessment that eventually led to the ICC indictment of a Croat General.

Sadly, the unit returned to Canada with little fanfare and the hundreds of reserve soldiers who had answered the call returned home. Nearly a decade later, 2 PPCLI was awarded one of the first two Commander-in-Chief unit commendations for its distinguished conduct in Medak. Today, the operation has become synonymous with the reality that contemporary peacekeeping operations have become much more complex and dangerous. It is also remembered for its incredible display of the steadfastness of our soldiers, both Regular and Reserve, while under fire. Separating Croat and Serb forces in contact, without loss of life, is a feat worthy of admiration. That said, far too many suffered invisible wounds from the exposure to danger, stress, and the inhumanity of ethnic cleansing.