Operation Angela

The Croatian Defence Council (HVO) crossed the Sava river in boats and set out to retake the occupied territory. On the foggy night of 5 November 1993, 175 members^[6] of the HVO's 102nd Infantry Brigade under the command of Tom Božić forced their way to the Sava in the territory of the Republic of Croatia in an attempt to liberate Odžak. They crossed the Sava and entered the territory of Odžak municipality. In some places, the army penetrated up to 10 km deep due to no Serbian resistance. However, Serbian action was not absent. Slavonian villages were shelled for revenge. Serbian infantry forces from the reserve were raised to a higher level of readiness and for a greater reaction. The reinforcement of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) was coming and threatening to strike. In reaction, members of the brigade called for them to abandon the plan, that is, on the orders of their superiors on the other side of the Sava, they must return. In addition, because of that action, the lives of Croatian civilians from Kakanj and Vareš who found refugees in Republika Srpska after Muslim forces drove them out of their homes came into question.^{[clarification needed]} Among other things, that is why the decision was made to abandon this action. Afterwards, the 102nd Infantry Brigade stayed in Orašje for 3 years and never received orders to leave. 11 members of the HVO were killed in action, and 7 members were captured.^[7]