From my original archive
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Destination overview
About this destination
Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the western Balkans. Sarajevo, its capital, occupies a valley surrounded by mountains. The country brings together Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and South Slavic cultural influences.
Mostar is known for its stone bridge across the Neretva River. Forested uplands, river gorges and limestone landscapes shape much of the countryside. A short Adriatic coastline reaches the sea at Neum.
Traditional coffee culture provides a familiar feature of urban life. The country's twentieth-century history is complex, and its historic buildings and memorials offer context for understanding both the past and the present. It was granted European Union candidate status in December 2022. In March 2024, EU leaders gave the green light to open accession negotiations, subject to the required reform steps.
My connection
During the war in the former Yugoslavia, I worked as a logistics coordinator between Ancona in Italy and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. My assignment connected the Adriatic support base with activities in Sarajevo during 1993–1995. This was a professional posting, rather than a tourist visit. Working across these two locations placed coordination and the practical demands of logistics at the centre of my experience. Bosnia and Herzegovina therefore forms an important part of my professional journey, alongside my naval and industrial assignments.
Travel notes and photographs
My travel notes
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. It has a population of about 3.3 million people and its capital is Sarajevo. It is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. It was granted European Union candidate status in December 2022. In March 2024, EU leaders gave the green light to open accession negotiations, subject to the required reform steps.
Personal memories
Between 1993 and 1995, I flew to Bosnia several times aboard an Ilyushin Il-76T, a Super Puma and an Alizé. Flying was a memorable experience, although it took place during the tragic war in the former Yugoslavia. These were work assignments. I was based in Ancona, supporting logistics for the French armed forces, and sometimes flew to Sarajevo to deliver food to the population.
If I remember correctly, one aircraft was chartered by Sweden, flown by pilots from the Baltic countries, and supplied with fuel paid for by the United Arab Emirates. The pilots were earning about US$100 a month. After their aircraft came under Kalashnikov fire during a flight to Sarajevo, they requested a pay rise because of the danger—and received a 100% increase!
During a Super Puma mission towards the Montenegrin coast, I also experienced a few seconds of weightlessness. On other missions, I had the privilege of taking part in aircraft-carrier landings and nine catapult launches, as well as surveillance flights along the former Yugoslav coast.
As a French Navy logistics coordinator in Ancona, I also had to collect cash from a bank and deliver it to the purser of the landing platform dock Orage when the ship called at the port. The amount ran into millions of Italian lire. The following day, the French consulate called to say that the bank wondered whether it had given me too much money. I jokingly replied that, if I had received any extra, I would not tell them! Banks do not always seem to know exactly what they are doing with your money.
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