| Croatian Defence Forces Hrvatske obrambene snage | |
|---|---|
 Patch of the Croatian Defence Forces | |
| Active | 22 January 1991 – 5 April 1993 |
| Disbanded | September 1991 (Croatia) 21 August 1992 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
| Country |  Croatia Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Allegiance | Croatian Party of Rights |
| Branch | Army |
| Size | 8,000[1] – 24,000[2] |
| Headquarters | Zagreb, Croatia Ljubuški, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Nickname(s) | Blacks (Crnci) |
| Motto(s) | Za dom spremni[3] |
| Colors | Black |
| March | Himna HOS-a[4] |
| Engagements | Battle of the Barracks Battle of Gospić Siege of Slunj Battle of Vukovar Siege of Dubrovnik Siege of Mostar Battle of Kupres (1992) Battle of Posavina Attack on Piperi Siege of Sarajevo Siege of Kotor Varoš |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Dobroslav Paraga Blaž Kraljević |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
The Croatian Defence Forces (Croatian: Hrvatske obrambene snage or HOS) were the paramilitary arm of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) from 1991 to 1992, during the first stages of the Yugoslav wars. During the Croatian War of Independence, the HOS organised several early companies and participated in Croatia's defence. At the peak of the war in Croatia, the HOS was several battalions in size. The first HOS units were headed by Ante Paradžik, a HSP member who was killed by Croatian police in September 1991. After the November 1991 general mobilisation in Croatia and the January 1992 cease-fire, the HOS was absorbed by the Croatian Army.
The HOS units in Bosnia and Herzegovina consisted of Croats, Bosniaks and foreign volunteers led by Blaž Kraljević.[5] On 9 August 1992, Kraljević and eight staff members were assassinated by Croatian Defence Council (HVO) soldiers under the command of Mladen Naletilić.[6] The HOS was disbanded shortly afterwards, and absorbed by the HVO and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of the Croat-Bosniak War.[5] The last HOS unit was dissolved on 5 April 1993 in central Bosnia.[7]
- ^ Veselinović 2014, p. 70-71.
- ^ "Politička ubojstva: Nedavno uhićenje Ivana Andabaka u žižu vraća ubojstvo Blaža Kraljevića, generala HOS-a, borca za BiH do Drine". www.hsp1861.hr. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Bosnia and Herzegovina - Croatian Party of Rights". 16 January 2008. Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Himna HOS-a". YouTube. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b Nigel Thomas, Nigel Thomas (2006). The Yugoslav Wars: Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia 1992–2001. Osprey Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 1-84176-964-9.
- ^ Ramet 2006, p. 343.
- ^ Shrader 2003, p. 46.