18th Western Slavonian Corps
| 18. Western Slavonian Corps 18. западнославонски корпус 18. zapadnoslavonski korpus | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1992-1995 |
| Disbanded | 1995 |
| Country | Serbian Krajina |
| Branch | Serbian Army of Krajina |
| Size | c. 4,500 |
| Garrison/HQ | Okučani (1992 to April 1995) Stara Gradiška |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander 1 | Colonel Lazo Babić |
| Commander 2 | Major General Milan Čeleketić |
The 18th Western Slavonian Corps was a military unit of the Serbian Army of Krajina commanded by Lazo Babić and Milan Čeleketić, whom was appointed Main Staff of the Serbian Army of Krajina after the previous incumbent Mile Novaković resigned in 1994. Čeleketić left his position after the defeat during Operation Flash.
The SAO Western Slavonia Territorial Defense and Okučani Brigade had been destroyed by the Croatian Army in 1991–92, remnants of the brigade merged into the 18th Slavonian Corps, this included form members of the Yugoslav People's Army. The 18th Western Slavonian Corps was composed of seven infantry and artillery battalions.
The 18th Western Slavonia Corps area of responsibility was Okučani including all of Western Slavonia. The SVK had 3,500-4,000 defending the area. During Operation Flash, the victory was crucial for the defense of Western Slavonia, the Corps, lacking in the ability to fight and were numerically weaker.
On May 3, the Serbian Army of Krajina’s main command reached for a Ceasefire. It was Lazo Babić who gave the order to Stevo Harambašić to surrender 7,000 Soldiers and civilians to Argentine United Nations Protection Force personnel. The Chief of the Police in Pakrac, Nikola Ivkanec accepted the offer.