Association for preserving tradition of Serbia liberation wars until 1918

War between Austro-Hungary and Serbia in 1914

Austro-Hungary tried to achieve its invasive strategy in breach toward the east, across Serbia in cooperation with Obrenović dynasty using very powerfull economics connections. With arrival of Karađorđević dynasty to power, Serbian diplomacy gained focus on Russia and France so Vienna was looking for occasion to tyrannously assure the way over Serbia. Assassination of successor to the throne, Prince Ferdinand in Sarajevo came up as strong argument to do so. Ferdinand was murdered along with his wife by gunshots of young Bosnian Gavrilo Princip on Vidovdan of 1914. Attacks on Serbia began on August 12th with double power in forces: 500 000 soldiers and 1200 cannons, matched with 250 000 Serbian soldiers and 500 cannons, and beside 35 000 soldiers and 165 cannons from Montenegro.

Acrimonious fights ended with a lot of sacrifices (Cer, Tekeriš, Mačva) were lasting to 25th of August. Huge losses were on both sides: Austria – 23 000 dead and wounded and 4 000 prisoners; Serbia – 16 344 soldiers and officers along with several thousands of killed citizens and burnt villages.

Allies were thrilled by Serbian victory in Cer, which is the first allied victory in that war. They demanded from Serbia to take offensive on Austro-Hungarian territory. Serbs accepted that request, although unwillingly, because Serbian forces were too exhausted. However, the second army started to attack areas over the river Sava on September 6th (Leget – Sr. Mitrovica). Owing to unjustified panic and unfinished pontoon bridge, transferred troops were faced with tragic outcome; 6 242 drowned and captured soldiers and 64 officers. Austro-Hungarians had 2 000 losses.

New, 2nd Potoriek offensive started at the same time, and again with breach over Drina river. Even tougher fights emerged at Mačkov kamen, Gučevo and other places with tenths of thousands killed and wounded on both sides. Aggressor was stopped but wasn’t thrown out of Serbia. Than ‘trench fight’ has started.

Third Austro-Hungarian offensive, on October 22nd and November 6th, forced Serbian army to retreat. Serbian army abandoned Belgrade too, because of tactical issues and on demand of General Mišić. New wave of refugees from Mačva overwhelmed Serbia. Enemy had lost 130 000 people until Serbian army retreated on 28th November. Even despite those figures, Vienna celebrated victory. They managed to put their war flags on King’s Peter court. Mortal bells to winners from Cer battle were reverberating in Europe. Serbia was dying!

Than, miracle happened again! Three days were just enough for exhausted and starving soldiers to recover and gather their tattered uniforms. Meanwhile, eagerly expected ammunition arrived from France and final battle with aggressor might begin. On 3rd of December, exactly on the aggressor’s celebration day due to conquering of Belgrade, the big offensive started. General Mišić’s 1st army started offensive along with cooperation to other armies. The enemies were shocked. New bloody fights began, but this time Serbian army attacked and Austro-Hungarian army panicky retreated. Within 12 days, the enemy was finally thrown out from Serbian territory. In this battle of Kolubara, Potoriek’s army had 43 323 died, wounded or captured soldiers and officers.

Total losses in battles in 1914 were: Austro-Hungary 273 804 (of which 7 502 officers); Serbia 163 357(2 110 officers).

Serbia became an example of courage in all allied countries (politicians, army leaders, writers, artists).

Tragedy of Serbia in 1915

At the end of 1914, a new enemy with his invisible force eclipsed Serbian victory celebrations. It was typhoid fever who took lives of 30 000 soldiers and 200 000 citizens, and along with Austro-Hungarian prisoners who brought virus in the first place.

In that moment Serbia didn’t have enough doctors so many European and other countries provided medical missions. There were over 100 foreign doctors and over 500 medical personnel members. Stricken by the virus, many of them left their lives in Serbia.

New aggression on Serbia in 1915

Driven by desire for revenge to defeat from 1914, German troops were reinforced (Austro-Hungary and Germany) with Bulgarians. Famous Field-marshal Makenzen was chosen as main commander. By the beginning of October, 500 000 soldiers and 1656 cannons were concentrated on northern Serbian border, while 500 000 Bulgarians on Bulgarian border also waited to invade Serbia.

The attack began on 5th of October with frantic bombarding of Belgrade with 1 000 cannons (within just a day 30 000 grenades hit the city). Desperate army and people defense couldn’t resist to much more powerful enemy who breached into city. Fighting for every inch of country and with a little hope from allied help, defense started to fallen. Soon after that, Bulgarians penetrated from the east and tragedy became obvious. However, there was still some resistance in order to prevent encirclement and to stop disjunction to the south (in this breakthrough enemy lost 92 000 soldiers, along with 25 000 Bulgarians).

Retreat of the army to Kosovo represented the end of fighting resistance to Serbians. Between capitulation and retreat over Montenegro and Albania, second option was chosen – golgotic way of Serbian army and people in the history of wars was described as unprecedented suffering of several hundreds thousands people. Sufferers were led only by hope to meet allies on the coast of Adriatic Sea.

In frozen paths of Albania

From the king to a child in mother’s folded arms, Serbian people suffered a huge devastation on retreat trough frosty gorges of Montenegro and Albania areas. They were exposed to hunger, freezing, robberies and killing by Albanian gangs in manner that have not been seen in history of mankind.

On this road of death, nearly 70 000 soldiers and 200 000 civilians lost their lives.

Salvation from Albanian coast

Vacillation of allies about transferring the Serbian army and people from Albanian coast ended with the ultimatum given by Russian emperor Nikolai 2nd. He threatened to make separate peace with Germany if there was no immediate action for salvation of Serbs on Albanian coast. First ships were routed to Africa, but insistence of Serbian government, new, closer shelter was determined – Corfu. From the end of January till the end of Mart, allied troops were transferred 152 000 Serbian soldiers, certain number of prisoners who moved along with Serbian army trough Albania, along with tenth of thousands civilians. (Troops which were in Macedonia managed to retreat directly to Salonika.)

On Corfu Island utterly exhausted people and army were exposed to diseases and dying for a whole month. Most of them actually died on Island Vido, which was pronounced as the Island of Death. As a large number of them died, they couldn’t be buried on stony soil so they were transferred with ships to the open sea in the ‘Blue Tomb’. Members of military units were buried on cemeteries besides camps (there is 27 cemeteries such is this on Corfu Island).

According to some military records, total number of casualties was 7 500 soldiers, although some other theories suggested that the actual figure was 10 000.

Because of the gentle climate and comprehensive medical care from allies, and friendly attitude of local people, Serbian soldiers quickly recovered. They started preparations with new armament provided by allies. At the beginning of April in 1916, while the last groups were still arriving from Albania, French ships with reborn Serbian soldiers were already on their way to Salonika battlefield. From April till June, total number of 144 000 soldiers and officers were transferred to Salonika seaport. They prepared for the final liberation of their country.

Battles on Salonika front

With the length of 460 km, Salonika battlefield line led to Valona on Albanian border, over Ohrid and Bitolj, to Bulgarian border. Allies forces had disposition like this: Italians (Albania), the French (to Bitolj), Then Serbs, Britons and Greeks. At the beginning of the battle, front was held by the French (the largest number of soldiers), Serbs and Britons. By the end of 1916 Italians arrived, and in 1917 Greeks were joining in.

Fights over Macedonian mountains, especially for Kajmakčalan (2500m), started in August of 1916. That spot was crucial for further advance. Bulgarians proffered heavy resistance from well established positions, although with great losses, allies have managed to overwhelm them. The toughest fights were held between Serbs and Bulgarian over Mountain Kajmakčalan. Both sides have suffered huge losses. Finally on September 30th, the peak of Kajmakčalan was conquered with lost of 5 000 members of Drina and Danube divisions. It was achievement of big strategical and moral significance. Serbs reached to their native soil. Hereafter on the battle over Bitolj, enemies were conquered on 19.11.1916.

Plan of Alliance to breakthrough deeper into the battlefield in spring of 1917 wasn’t successful. They lost 10 000 units in those attempt, so they started a trench fight. At the same time Serbian government developed an action to gather volunteers from America and Russia. In the middle of 1918, 20 000 volunteers arrived, mostly of them were Serbs from Russia.

Breakthrough; Liberation

On these fronts encountered forces had at disposal following forces: Allies – 628 000 soldiers, 1 800 cannons, 200 airplanes; Central forces – 626 000 soldiers, 1 600 cannons, 80 airplanes.

Breach should take place over inaccessible Moglen Mountains. Main attack belonged to Serbian forces (6 divisions) and to French forces (2 divisions). After 24 hours beyond the storming fire from 2 049 cannons, allies started to attack; Serbs over Veternik, The French over Dobro polje. Crucial attacks that crashed Bulgarian rampart were made by Kruševo 12th regiment “Lazar the Emperor” (especially 2nd battalion of colonel Gavrilović with volunteers troop). Within a day, with bloody clash Serbian forces made a ditch 25km wide and 2km in depth.

Fights continued with high intensity over whole territory (with weaker results on Dojran sector, where allies were loosing large number of soldiers). Finally, Bulgarians signed capitulation on 29th of September under conditions that Serbian and Greece forces were to leave Bulgarian territory. Serbian troops became unstoppable on their breach to northern fronts, conducting occasional fights on their way (through Vranje,Leskovac,Niš,Kragujevac). With liberation of Belgrade on November the 1st of 1918, Serbia was finally free.

In breach of Salonika front allies lost 16 200 soldiers (4 000 Serbs within that number). There were also died and vanished Serbs: 681 dead, 182 vanished, 2 206 wounded.

Total number of died on Salonika battlefield was 9 303 serviceman. 6 020 soldiers were buried on Zejtenlik.

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