Croatia, Republic. A Medal For Participation In Operation Flash 1995

(Medalja za sudjelovanje u operaciji "Bljesak"). In metal with a bronze-coloured gilt, obverse illustrating a pair of two lane roadways, a plowed multi-furrow field to the right and a branch of oak leaves and acorns at the left, reverse inscribed "BLJESAK" in the centre, inscribed "REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA" above, with an open-ended wreath of laurel and oak leaves below, measuring 39.7 mm (w) x 44.8 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, replacement ribbon wrapped around a brass triangular frame, very light contact, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Medal for Participation in Operation Flash was awarded to participants and some soldiers, in this short but also so successful military operation. Operation Flash was a brief Croatian Army (HV) offensive conducted against the forces of the self-declared Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK) from May 1-3, 1995. The offensive occurred in the later stages of the Croatian War of Independence and was the first major confrontation after ceasefire and economic cooperation agreements were signed between Croatia and the RSK in 1994. The last organized RSK resistance formally ceased on May 3rd, with the majority of troops surrendering the next day near Pakrac, although mop-up operations continued for another two weeks. Operation Flash was a strategic victory for Croatia resulting in the capture of a 558-square-kilometre (215 sq mi) salient held by RSK forces centred in and around the town of Okučani.