4th Guards Brigade (Croatia)

The 4th Guards Brigade (Croatian: 4. gardijska brigada), nicknamed "Pauci" (Spiders), was a Croatian Army (HV) guards brigade formed in Split, Croatia on April 28, 1991. It was one of the elite units of the Croatian Army and participated in numerous key battles during the Croatian War of Independence.

The brigade was instrumental in operations in Dalmatia, including Operation Coast-91, defending the territory around Zadar, Šibenik, and Split. Later, the brigade played a significant role in major offensives such as Operation Maslenica, Operation Medak Pocket, Operation Storm (Oluja), and Operation Mistral 2.

Throughout the war, the 4th Guards Brigade earned a reputation for bravery and effectiveness. It suffered casualties during combat but played a critical role in liberating Croatian territory and securing Croatian independence.

Following the war, the brigade was downsized and reorganized. Eventually, it was formally disbanded as part of a broader restructuring of the Croatian Armed Forces. However, its legacy remains strong, and its veterans are highly regarded in Croatia. The brigade's wartime flag is permanently displayed in the Croatian Military Museum in Zagreb.