Tito's Underground Air Base - Europe@War No 4, Helion

TITO'S UNDERGROUND AIR BASE - Bihac (Zeljava) Underground Yugoslav Air Force Base, 1964-1992

The air force of Tito’s Yugoslavia has had many different peculiarities - from a unique Cold War position of having operated a mix of US, Soviet, and indigenous aircraft and equipment, to the changeable strategies in case of war.

One such feature was an entire underground air base constructed inside a hill near the town of Bihac, in western Bosnia. ‘The Object’ was the core, the heart, of this air base: it housed four MiG-21 squadrons for nearly 25 years, until the civil war tore Yugoslavia apart.

‘The Object’ was built as the outcome of Yugoslav military efforts to build up its independent defence capabilities, especially the air force which was regarded as the strategic tool in keeping Tito’s Yugoslavia's independence from both Cold War blocks. There were a few other underground shelters built at Yugoslavia’s air bases, but Bihać underground air base remained the only underground facility which was permanently used. Nowadays, its ruins are a place of pilgrimage for many aviation and military enthusiasts, and is known as ‘Zeljava’, after a nearby village on the Croatian side. 

This book provides an in-depth account of the design and construction of the air base and a detailed account of the activities of its MiG-21 squadrons and everyday operations in the period between 1968 and 1991. The book concludes with an exhaustive description of combat operations during the final year of the existence of the Bihać Air Base in 1991-1992, under the conditions of the civil war.

Drawing upon exclusive archival sources – many of them classified until very recently – the authors have expanded the emerging story through interviews with dozens of officers and other ranks that served at this ‘underground aircraft carrier’, thus managing to fill the gaps in usage not covered by the documentation.

‘Tito’s Underground Air Base’ is lavishly illustrated with a huge collection of exclusive photographs collected from numerous archives, museums, and private collections, and a set of authentic colour profiles and diagrams. It is a unique source of reference about one of most fascinating projects related to underground military facilities constructed during the Cold War.

Reviews:

"....this might be the best and most complete work and publication about this complex that I have ever seen." Maketar Plus

''This slim but information packed book is an excellent new addition to Helion's Europe@War series. The authors examine every facet of life and work in the underground air base; they might be accused of providing too much detail at times. Many photographs of the base, planes, and personnel accompany the text, and the colour plates of the MIG-21 aircraft are exceptional. Anyone interested in Cold War air forces will enjoy this book, and even if you are not Tito's Underground Air Base is a surprisingly good account of an operational military base during the Cold War. 8/10'' Wargames Illustrated

"This is really interesting reading for any aviation enthusiast with reference to the Cold War period." Military Model Scene

"The level of detail is staggering, including accounts from those involved at the very start. [...] This book is of special interest to each of them [military personnel] as well as to aviation buffs. Highly recommended." Miniature Wargames

"Well-presented and well-illustrated [ ...] Simply fascinating. 4/5." Aeroplane

Authors: Bojan Dimitrijevic, Milan Micevski

Publisher: Helion & Company

Description: 72 pages, Paperback, Format A4, 136 b/w & 8 colour photos, 12 colour profiles, 2 colour & 7 b/w maps, 6 tables, 1 b/w diagram.

Condition: NEW COPY

Shipping weight: 0.40 Kg.