Capture of Cerić

Capture of Cerić was a battle during the Croatian War of Independence that was fought from 1 to 2 October 1991. It was fought between Croatia army and SAO Eastern Slavonia which was supported by the Yugoslav People's Army. The battle ended with a Serbian victory and the taking over of Cerić.

Capture of Cerić
Part of the Croatian War of Independence
JNA soldier with flag of Yugoslavia in Cerić
Date First battle:1–2 October 1991 Second battle: 13 October 1991 Location Cerić, Croatia Result Yugoslav-SAO Krajina victory
Belligerents
Yugoslavia SAO Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia	Croatia
Commanders and leaders
Vojislav Šešelj	unknown
Units involved
Yugoslav People's Army Yugoslav Ground Forces Krajina Militia White Eagles	Croatian National Guard Croatian Police Ministry of the Interior

Timeline

On the eve of the attack on Cerić, heavy rain and cold marked the night. Defense reinforcements arrived on 1 October. The first artillery shell fell around 3 o'clock, and the artillery preparation started around half past ten on 2 October, lasting an hour and a half. Tanks and armored personnel carriers attacked from three directions: Mirkovac, Marinci and between Cerić and Mala Bosna. And with these attacks Serbs finally captured Cerić.

Also on 2 October, reinforcements of the HV with MUP appeared, a little later after the fall of Cerić, they tried to recapture it. Their goal was to establish a new corridor through Cerić and Marinci, to connect with Bogdanovci and Vukovar. But the JNA supported by armor and artillery fired concentrated on the approaching enemy forces, the JNA halted the Croat offensive. HV and MUP tried again to recover Cerić on 13 October, but that attack also failed.

Aftermath

After the fall of Cerić, which created the conditions for the attack on Nuštar, which took place from 2 to 5 October. However, despite heavy destruction, during which the place was destroyed beyond recognition, Nuštar was not conquered.