Special Air Service (SAS) - BOSNIA OPERATIONS
The Special Air Service carried out a number of operations in the troubled Balkan state of Bosnia during the mid nineties.
As part of a larger United Nations (UN) operation in the trouble Balkans, D squadron SAS were deployed to Bosnia on 'stand-by' duties - on alert to respond to any significant event. The UN mission was led by General Sir Michael Rose, an ex-SAS man himself. When the Bosnian Croats and Muslims were getting close to border agreements, Rose called in additional SAS forces, in the form of A Squadron, to assist him with gathering intel in support of his task of mapping out the disputed territories. Rose understood that the SAS were highly capable of carrying out this sensitive operation in the short time window available.
Elements of A Squadron subsequently covertly inserted into Bosnia, masquerading as the SAS signals Squadron, then deploying as United Kingdom Liaison Officers (UKLO) working for the UN. To better blend in with other regular forces, the SAS men wore blue UN berets and carried standard issue weapons such as SA80 assault rifles. Once deployed, the SAS used their UKLO remit as a cover to carry out several intelligence gathering operations, essentially becoming Rose's eyes and ears in the region. Tasks reportedly performed included:
- assessing disposition of all forces - strengths, deployments, moral etc. The SAS carried GPS navigation equipment in order to accurately map out the areas they deployed to.
- liaison with local commanders to ensure the mapping process could be completed
- locating and marking suitable drop zones for UN food drops - ensuring that the much-needed aid reached the right people
- providing Forward Air Controller (FAC) - calling in air strikes to cover UN food convoy moves through Serb lines
Maglai
Surrounded by Serbian fighters, this besieged town, home to Bosnian Muslims, was a focal point in the conflict at that time and virtually no news was coming out. A small SAS unit made a highly dangerous helicopter night insertion into the town. Thanks to some superb flying by the Dutch helicopter crew, the SAS were able to reach the Muslim forces, establish a clear situational picture and report back to Rose via tacsat.
Gorazde
Rumors of Serb atrocities against the Muslim population in and around the town of Gorazde promoted Rose to send the SAS in for a look. Once inside, the SAS took up position in a Bank and called in regular sit reps.
An SAS trooper was killed when his land rover was shot up when attempting to find a route of the town.
During a Serbian attack, SAS-controlled NATO air strikes were called in against Serbian tanks and artillery. During these strikes, a British Royal Navy FAA Sea Harrier was shot down by a Serbian SAM. The pilot ejected and linked up with the SAS.
Eventually, the SAS, with Royal Navy pilot in tow, manage to exfiltrate the area on foot for eventual pickup by helicopter.
Sarajevo
An SAS team infiltrate through Serbian lines to reached the city of Sarajevo, which was surrounded by Serbian forces. Once inside, the SAS called in NATO air strikes against Serbian positions.
Post War SAS Operations
Post war, the SAS returned to Bosnia for a series of missions to arrest suspected war criminals.
One such mission was codenamed Operation Tango
The SAS also snatched a Serb war criminal from within Serbia in an op codenamed Operation Ensue.
| Related Book : All Necessary Measures by Cameron Spence An excellent book from A Squadron trooper, Cameron Spence, telling his experiences as one of the SAS men deployed to Bosnia in the 90s. Recommended for its detailed portrayal of operations in Maglai and Gorazde and the way it highlights the brutal reality of the Balkan conflict. |
