Croatian National Guard

Croatian National Guard
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	15 May 1991 – 3 November 1991
Disbanded	Renamed as the Croatian Army
Country	Croatia
Branch	Army
Size	8,000 active, 40,000 reserve troops (July 1991)
Part of	Ministry of the Interior Ministry of Defence (from 20 September)
Anniversaries	28 May
Engagements	Croatian War of Independence
Commanders
Minister of Defence of Croatia	Martin Špegelj
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces	Anton Tus
Insignia
Flag

The Croatian National Guard (Croatian: Zbor narodne garde or ZNG) was an armed force established by Croatia in April and May 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence. Although it was established within the framework of the Ministry of the Interior for legal reasons, the ZNG was under the direct command of the Ministry of Defence. It was tasked with the protection of Croatia's borders and territory, and with tasks normally associated with police forces. The ZNG was formed with the transfer of special police units to the ZNG, establishing four all-professional brigades in May 1991, and was presented to the public in a military parade in Zagreb on 28 May. It was commanded by Defence Minister General Martin Špegelj before his resignation in early August. Špegelj was replaced by General Anton Tus, who became the first head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (established on 21 September).

During its development the ZNG experienced a number of problems, including shortages of weapons and ammunition, lack of uniforms, inadequate training and an overall deficiency in trained officers, and poor staff work and command structures (preventing the effective coordination of multiple units). These problems were offset by good morale, clear objectives and high levels of mobilisation. After the Battle of the Barracks, the ZNG expanded significantly with arms captured from the Yugoslav People's Army (Jugoslovenska Narodna Armija). By the end of October 60 new brigades and independent battalions were established, and on 3 November the ZNG was renamed the Croatian Army (Hrvatska vojska).