Bosnian war tanks

I think that the JNA followed the Sovier model of never getting rid of old equipment. Instead they put it in storage for "just in case" after it was replaced by newer stuff. And that stuff found its way to the various forces of the Yugoslav wars if the 90s.

Interesting tread this one. I was surprised just how much ww2 stuff was there. I saw a Croat guy with one of those early German sub-machine guns as well as T-34s. At the time I didn't give  rat's   what era were they from, just what sign was painted on them. Now it is interesting to read about them.

I never saw any T-34's on the move, but then my first tour was in late 97. But I did see a pink T-34 on display at a Dutch base. I can only assume it was the Dutch that painted it, damn I wish now I had got some pics of it.

Rob Gronovius

I do recall seeing an M18 turret on a T-55 chassis, or something similar during the 1990s conflict.

I do recall seeing an M18 turret on a T-55 chassis, or something similar during the 1990s conflict.

Rob Gronovius

Remember, many Hollywood films use whatever tanks are available to represent tanks from current conflicts. While I imagine Bosnia really does use T-34/85 tanks, just because you see them in a fictional movie doesn't make it correct.

how true because we know from the movies the wehrmacht used M-47s (battle of the bulge) and M-48s (patton).

isn't there a yugoslavian FLAK 38(4) mounted on an M-5 chassis picture floating around?

Great pic!

If I recall, this was taken shortly after the war in Bosnia/Serbia/Croatia, The original poster didn't quite say where. but it is in former Yugoslavia.

Oddball would be happy!

Ok, I ran into your successors a few years later in Banja Luka... And all sorts of other folks around that place.

Ah, no big secret Stik, no OPSEC violations for a 20 yr old op.  I was part of the Canadian Multi-national Brigade HQ back then. That day, we were following a column of British Scimitars, FV432s and Landrovers in a road move/patrol around our AOR. We started in Corilici (our operational HQ) then toured south through Bihac across to Bosanski Krupa (sp?) where we (Cdn Signallers) set up a Radio detachment with the Czech Bn guys (can't remember their outfit, thinking they were Airborne Bn troops outfitted with BMP 2s of which they didn't know how to drive as there were more dings in those things than you could shake a stick at!!). Nope, nothing here was OPSEC, all public record...LOL

I hear ya... I was just curious as to where... and of course why... but not that you would have an answer for the why.

Hey Stik...it was prob near Ljubia, actually between there and Prijedor...been almost 20 years, so, I can't remember exactly....was cool to see, though!

I imagine that it was a T-34/85 variant. I can't imagine any T-34/76s still being in service, or if the JNA ever had any of those.  Just curious, but what part of the country was the "no photo" zone you mention?

I personally witnessed BosnianT-34's while on patrol in Bosnia in 96. Wanted to take pics but we were in a 'no photo' zone (and they meant it). I don't recall the version of T-34, but, I just remember being dumbfounded to actually see moving T-34s in the Mid-90s.

Here's a story about a Serb T-34/85 www.achtungpanzer.com/serbian-t-3485.htm

Bosnian T-34s  armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php

M18 and M36 tank destroyers were common too.  

Check out this thread to see a bunch of them, along with other tanks used. 

Remember, many Hollywood films use whatever tanks are available to represent tanks from current conflicts. While I imagine Bosnia really does use T-34/85 tanks, just because you see them in a fictional movie doesn't make it correct.

LOL! Oh that movie... Yes, lots of Soviet built stuff there too. Although it was a SA-6 that downed Capt O'Gradys F-16 in June in the actual incident that the film was vey loosely based upon. The Yugoslavs under Tito developed a pretty robust arms industry, sort of comparable to Israel's. They had indiginous designs or modified various Soviet or European designs. In the run up to the Bosnian War, before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Milosovich transferred JNA soldiers of Bosnian Serb descent and heavy equipment into the province for use by Bosnian Serb forces once the break up and war began. The Bosnian Muslims had no such patron in the Yugoslav political or military command structure pre war.

Ok, I watched "Behind Enemy Lines" the other day and I swore I saw a T34-85. Glad to know I wasn't completely braindead.

also t-34-85. by the way there are interesting modifications of it . additional armor of t-34

Mostly T-55 family. But you'll also see older US equipment  of the Sherman family. And some some of the Yugoslav built T-72 variant, the M-84.