Geoadria, Vol. 29 No. 1, 2024.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.15291/geoadria.4396
Spatial analysis of the significance and role of the fort Imperial during the defence of Dubrovnik in the 1991 Croatian Homeland War
Hrvoje Heštera
; Croatian Defence Academy ‘Dr. Franjo Tuđman ‘, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Dalibor Gernhardt
; Croatian Defence Academy ‘Dr. Franjo Tuđman ‘, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Zečević
; Croatian Defence Academy ‘Dr. Franjo Tuđman ‘, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
In addition to the defensive ring around the old town of Dubrovnik, fortifications like fortresses and walls were erected between the 14th and 19th centuries in strategically vital locations of the then-Republic of Ragusa. We conducted a military geographical analysis of battleground around Dubrovnik during the Croatian Homeland War. OAKOC procedure and GIS tools were used to reconstruct the impact of terrain and employed military tactics during the military
operations of 1991. The military-geographical elements were examined to ascertain the significance and role of the fort Imperial in the successful defence of Dubrovnik, as well as the failure of the attackers. The analysis uncovered several critical factors for the successful defence. Firstly, there was only one avenue of approach for attackers to reach the fort Imperial, greatly favouring the defence. Secondly, the fortress's placement facilitated excellent surveillance and monitoring of both friendly and hostile forces. Thirdly, logistical support relied on a single footpath leading directly to the heart of Dubrovnik, concealed from the attackers' view, ensuring that defenders were never without supplies. Holding the hill Srđ with the fort Imperial in the hands of the defenders proved to be a key and decisive terrain during the siege of Dubrovnik. Although the evolution of warfare has diminished the significance of traditional defensive fortifications, the example of the fort Imperial demonstrates that they can still be of crucial importance even in the era of modern conventional warfare.
Keywords
decisive terrain; Dubrovnik; key terrain; KOCOA; military geography; OAKOC
Hrčak ID:
320954
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2024.
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