1. Semberska Laka Pješadijska Brigada
The 1st Semberska Laka Pješadijska Brigada ( Serbian - Cyrillic 1st семберска лака пјешадијска бригада ), or 1st Semberska Brigada for short , was a paramilitary Serb freischar during the Bosnian War . The unit belonged to the Bosnian Serb armed forces and was part of the East Bosnian Corps. It was the first armed unit of the VRS and therefore has the longest time of any unit in combat.
History and organization
The unit was established on April 12, 1992 in Bijeljina . Not only volunteers from Bijeljina but also from the surrounding villages were recruited. Therefore the unit was named after this area ( Semberija ). Despite its name, the unit was not only trained for use in the Semberska area, but for operations throughout the war zone. Ultimately, she took part in battles in Semberija, Brčko - where she was stationed in April 1992 - and ultimately in Majevica for the remainder of the war . Therefore, she also took part in the 1992 Koridor all-out operation . Its members were also involved in relief operations for Serbs in Sarajevo and the Republic of Serbian Krajina .
The maximum manpower of the 1st Semberska Laka Pješadijska Brigada was over 5000 men. According to their own information, 139 men were killed during the war - over 300 were wounded. The unit belonged to the East Bosnian Corps of the Army of the Republic of Srpska and was deployed in the northeast of what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jovan Mićić , known as Kikor, was in command from the establishment to the dissolution . Djoko Pajić acted as chief of staff.
After the end of the Bosnian War in 1995, the unit was finally dissolved in 1996.
After the war
Every year on the founding day, a memorial in the city center of Bijeljina commemorates the fallen of unity. The bereaved, former members, citizens and representatives of the city gather there. A comprehensive support program has been started for the bereaved, which benefits a not inconsiderable part of the city budget. This is justified with the unparalleled commitment of the unit for the city and the Republic of Srpska .
Known relatives
- Jovan Mićić , commander
- Rodoljub Roki Vulović , singer and songwriter, dedicated the album " Semberski junaci " to the unit in 1992 .