Bonjour a tous,
I just wonder what is the story behind insignias of Commando Obuka of Croatia some years ago during the conflict in ex-Yogoslavia.
Especially the Obuka parawing was French wing with Croatian shield shape coat-of-arms, white and red "chessboard", and the breast badge obviously was imitating French Commando badges.
As far as I know they were manufactured by Balme, so was it a private purchase or what is the reson for similarity with French badges?
Were the first ones "local made (artisanale)" or were they all factory mader?
Were there any other manufacturers than Balme?
Cordialement, Harri.

Hello Harri,
I was at the time in Krajina (1992). I met the Croatian officer (Colonel in Croatian Army) who created this badge "Obuka Commando". He was a former French légionnaire (non commissioned officer) who had done his commando training in Mont-Louis while he was in the French Army. Obuka Commando in Croatian language thus translate has "entraînement commando" in French. He took a strong inspiration from the French badge use by the Mont-Louis trainees and added the Croatian coat-of-arms.
That's all I can tell you on the subject.
Regards, Absallah.

Hi

I also met this guy in 1993 and 1994, and then he was general of the HVO (Croatian Army)... I think he is the same. The similarity with the French badge is to be find there, with this former Légionnaire, I am sure.

Yours
Bison

Hi Bison,
Yes my dear !
Yours, Absallah.

Hi !

Of memory ,the badge of the " Obuka Commando " was made in Croatia and after in France . About the Para Wings , this badge was weared by a another Croatian special Unit , the ex-legionnaires who formed this unit had puted Croatian shield shape coat-of-arms at the bottom of the French para wings .
The Obuka Commando mean like said Absallah Commando training . It was formed by ex Legionnaires too . Their missions were mainly sabotage behind enemy lines , they used French language on the radio , his commander was Bruno ZORICA alias Zulu , Zulu unfortunately dies suicide in jail after he was arrestated for international weapons traffic.

In may 1991 two special battalions were created; Zrinski which was under command of Miljenko Filipovič, former chief of recon platoon of 2REP and Frankopani which were under command of Ilija Toth, ex Adjudant Chef in 1 REC who commanded the Croatian officers school also. In 1994 both battalions became part of 1. HGZ(Croatian Guard..Unit) which composed of light armour battalion, light infantry, airborne and honour guard battalion. 1. HGZ fought well in 1995 in central Bosnia as light infantry - Rangers. After war 1. HGZ was disbanded(2000) after charges of criminal activities in this unit appeared. In 2004 new battalion was raised - Bojna za specijalna djelovanja (Special operations battalion) called Cobras – H.V Kobras which has organisation similar to that of SAS. Unit became publicly known when it was to be send to Iraq , the unit was deployed too in Afghanistan .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYLk3cvIhI

See you ...
KR48

Thank you very much for great information to Absallah, Bison and KR48.
Cordialement, Harri