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Janko BobetkoCroatian military leader, army general
Date of Birth: 10.01.1919
Country:  Croatia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Anti-Fascist Activism
- Partisan Career
- Post-War Military Career
- Support for Croatian Autonomy
- Role in the Croatian War
- Military Operations
- Operation "Tigar" (June 1992): Lifting the siege of Dubrovnik.
- Post-War Career
Early Life and Education
Born on January 10, 1919, in Crnac, Croatia, Janko Bobetko enrolled in the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Zagreb after completing secondary school.
Anti-Fascist Activism
Bobetko joined the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in 1938 and was expelled from the university due to his opposition to the pro-Nazi Independent State of Croatia. Following the murder of his father and brothers by the Ustaše in 1941, he joined the Partisan resistance.
Partisan Career
As a political commissar in the Sisak Partisan Detachment and later in the 32nd Zagor Division, Bobetko played a significant role in the Yugoslav Partisan movement during World War II.
Post-War Military Career
Despite his injuries, Bobetko continued his military service in the Yugoslav People's Army, graduating from the Military Academy in 1954 and eventually rising to the rank of major general. He held command positions in the navy and later as chief of staff of the 5th Military District.
Support for Croatian Autonomy
In 1971, Bobetko expressed support for greater Croatian autonomy during the "Croatian Spring." This resulted in his dismissal from the military alongside other generals.
Role in the Croatian War
After the Croatian Democratic Union's electoral victory in 1990, Bobetko was asked to serve as minister of defense but declined. In April 1992, as the war erupted, he agreed to command the Southern Front.
Military Operations
Bobetko oversaw several successful operations during the Croatian War of Independence:
Operation "Lipanjske Zore" (June 1992): Liberation of the Neretva River valley.
Operation "Tigar" (June 1992): Lifting the siege of Dubrovnik.
Operation "Konavle" (October 1992): Liberation of the Konavle region.Operation "Vlaštica" (October 1992): Capture of Mount Vlaštica to end Serbian shelling of Dubrovnik.
Post-War Career
Following the war, Bobetko served as a member of the Croatian Parliament from the Croatian Democratic Union. He faced charges by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia but died before his extradition could be finalized.
