The 1914 campaign on the Serbian front, despite the superiority of the Austro-Hungarian troops, ended with the victory of the Serbian army. The activity and determination of the Serbian army allowed the Serbian command to achieve decisive success over the Austro-Hungarian armies. After that, the Austro-Hungarian troops, until late autumn 1915, did not dare to launch a new offensive without the help of the Germans and Bulgarians. With this, Serbia supported the Russian Empire, diverting two Austro-Hungarian armies to its front, which could at a decisive moment strengthen the Central Powers on the Eastern (Russian) Front.
First invasion of the Austro-Hungarian armies. Serb victory on the river. Yadare
Since the declaration of war on July 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarian siege artillery, which was stationed on the northern bank of the Danube, and the artillery of the Danube flotilla began to bombard Belgrade. After that, the Austro-Hungarian troops conducted a series of demonstrative crossings in some sections of the Danube and Sava, trying to create the impression of a decisive offensive in this direction and to pin down the Serbian troops.
On July 31, Austria-Hungary announced a general mobilization. On August 4, the Serbian regent Alexander issued an order for the army, where he declared war on Austria-Hungary. The order spoke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as the eternal enemy of Serbia, the need to free the Slavic brothers in Srem, Vojvodina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slavonia, Banat, Croatia, Slovenia and Dalmatia. In addition, it was reported that Serbia was backed by its patroness Russia with its allies France and Great Britain.
12 August 200 thous. The Austro-Hungarian army began a general offensive. In the morning, the 4th Austro-Hungarian Corps crossed the Sava above Sabac; The 8th and 13th corps set up crossings across the Drina River at Belina, Leshnitsa, Loznitsa; The 15th corps crossed the Drina at Zvornik and Lyubov. Austro-Hungarian troops advanced from northwest and west to east on a wide front from Sabac to Lyubov.
The Serbian command abandoned the defense of Belgrade, moved the capital to Nis and, holding back the enemy with cover units, transferred two armies - the 2nd and 3rd to the Drinsky front. The first to attack was a separate cavalry division. She was followed by the rest of the divisions of the maneuvering group. The Serbs launched a counteroffensive and rather quickly went into the valley of the Drina River, while the Austro-Hungarian troops slowly crossed this water barrier.
The Austro-Hungarian troops lost the surprise factor, having lost 4 days for crossing water obstacles, crossing troops, setting up bridgehead fortifications, fixing on heights commanding the right bank of the river. Drina, for the occupation of Sabac and overcoming the rather weak resistance of the Serbian cover units. Already on August 16, the advanced units of the Serbian armies engaged the enemy on the line from Sabac on the right flank to Pechka on the left.
The area on which the battle began was divided into two zones: in the north there was the Machva valley, in the south there was a mountain range, from it to the Drina River perpendicularly to its current go the mountain spurs Cher (Tser), Iverah, Guchevo, separated from each other by tributaries this river, the main of which are the rivers Yadar and Leshnitsa.
On August 15, the 4th Austro-Hungarian Corps occupied the Sabac area. The 8th corps was divided into three columns: the left one, through the Machva valley, advanced on Slatina, the central one moved along the Cher spur and the right one - up the valley of the river. Ladders. The 13th corps from the Loznitsa area advanced in two columns on both banks of the river. Nucleus. The 15th corps was advancing on Krupanie and Pechka.
The Serbian cavalry division, reinforced with infantry and artillery, passed Slatina and overthrew the left column of the 8th corps. The Austrians were driven back to the Drina River. This battle was of great importance, since it separated the forces of the 4th corps concentrated near Sabac from the Austro-Hungarian troops who were advancing in the mountainous region. Soon the divisions of the 2nd Serbian Army of General Stefanovic approached. The right wing of the army (two divisions) began a battle against the 4th corps of the enemy, and the left wing (two other divisions) advanced along the spurs of Cher and Iverakh on Leshnitsa. As a result, the Serbian troops chained the enemy in battle, and the Austro-Hungarian command was forced to suspend the offensive.
At the same time, the formations of the 3rd Serbian army of General Jurisic-Sturm attacked the 13th corps of the enemy in the valley of the Yadar River. However, due to the significant superiority of the enemy in forces, they were forced to withdraw. On the left flank of the 3rd Army, the mountain brigades of the 15th Austrian corps also continued to pressurize the Serbs and threw off parts of the third draft for Krupaniye and Pechka. As a result, the Serbs had to retreat on the left wing of the Drinsky front.
The fighting continued on 17 August. The Serbian armies were reinforced by units that did not manage to reach the site of the battles on August 16. This allowed the divisions of the 2nd Army to launch a counteroffensive and build on their first successes. Serbian troops captured the first two ledges of the Cher ridge from the enemy. On August 18, Serbian troops, repelling enemy counterattacks, captured all the peaks of the Cher. As a result, the enemy's front was broken through, the Austro-Hungarian army grouping was finally cut, and the successes on the flanks were no longer important. On August 19, the left flank of the 2nd Serbian Army cleared the entire Iverah mountain range from the enemy. Having lost the ridge of Cher and Iverach, the Austrians lost the opportunity to effectively defend themselves and cleared the valley of the Leshnitsa River.
By August 19, the formations of the 3rd Serbian army were able to stop the offensive of the 13th and 15th corps, supported by units of the 16th corps, and advanced in the directions to Yarebica and Krupanie. Austro-Hungarian troops suffered heavy losses and began to withdraw along the entire front. On August 20, the Serbs began to pursue the enemy. In some areas, the Austrian troops continued to fight fiercely, but in most directions the retreat began to develop into a general flight.
The 4th Austro-Hungarian Corps tried to turn the tide and struck a strong counterstrike. Austro-Hungarian troops achieved some success and drove the Serbs over the river. Dubrava. However, after 4 days of fierce fighting, the 2nd Serbian Army threw back the enemy. As a result, by August 24, the Austro-Hungarian corps were thrown back to their original positions - on the Sava and Drina rivers.
The Serbs captured 50 thousand prisoners, 50 guns, 150 ammunition boxes, a large number of rifles, various military and food supplies.
Battle of the Yadar. Source: Korsun N. G. Balkan front of the world war
Outcomes
The Battle of Yadar ended in a complete victory for the Serbian army. The plans of the Austro-Hungarian command for a "quick war" and the defeat of Serbia were thwarted by the formation and timely transfer of a mobile group (divisions of the 2nd and 3rd Serbian armies). The Serbian army, with a small number of cavalry and artillery, proved to be more skillful in mountain warfare. The Austro-Hungarian command scattered its forces and the disparately operating corps were defeated.
At the same time, one should not forget that the Austro-Hungarian command was forced to cut the army grouping by almost half - from 400 thousand to 200 thousand soldiers, transferring, under pressure from Berlin, the most powerful 2nd army (190 thousand bayonets) from the Sava and Danube to Eastern Galicia, to the Russian front. If Austria-Hungary launched an offensive as originally planned - with two shock groups from the north - the Belgrade direction and the west - the Drin direction, and an army of 400 thousand soldiers, the situation could have turned into a defeat for the Serbs or heavy battles of attrition, where the Austro-Hungarian troops had full advantage in people, artillery and military resources.
This victory was of strategic importance. During the period of decisive operations in Galicia, the Serbian army not only pinned down the enemy, but also inflicted serious damage on the Austro-Hungarian troops. This defeat hit hard on the morale of the Austro-Hungarian army and damaged the prestige of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Second offensive of the Austro-Hungarian armies on the Balkan front. Battle of the Mine
The Austro-Hungarian command carried out a regrouping of forces and was preparing for a new strike. The Serbian command decided to forestall the enemy. In early September 1914, Serb forces launched an offensive on both of their flanks. The right flank of the Serbian army crossed Sava in several places and occupied Mitrovica. However, a counterattack by the Austro-Hungarian corps forced the Serbian troops to return to their original positions. Serbs suffered significant losses. The same thing happened when the Serbs captured Zemlin on September 10.
On the left flank, Serbo-Montenegrin troops pushed the 15th corps and 16th corps right flank and tried to organize an offensive in the Sarajevo direction. But the beginning of the second offensive of the Austro-Hungarian armies on the Serbian front forced the Serbian command to transfer part of the troops from the left flank to support the main forces.
By September 7, the Austro-Hungarian command completed the regrouping of forces. Events on the Russian front engulfed the troops of the 4th corps, half of the 7th corps and one division of the 9th corps. These troops had to be replaced with formations transferred from the interior of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and units from the Italian border. These troops replaced the 16th Corps and the 15th Corps' right flank on the Montenegrin Front, which moved north, extending the Drinsky Front. Between Mitrovica and Belina, the Austrian troops (8th, 9th corps) were to make a vigorous demonstration, pinning down the enemy troops. The 15th and 16th corps advanced in the area of Zvornik and Lyubovya in the direction of the Krupaniye - Pechka area. Both groups were linked by the 13th Corps. The commander of the Austro-Hungarian forces, Potiorek, planned to bypass the left flank of the Serbian army, quickly advance to Valjevo and cut off the escape routes of the rest of the enemy army.
On the night of September 7-8, units of the 8th and 9th corps tried to force the Sava near Mitrovica and Raca, but were driven back by Serbian troops. Formations of the 9th corps were still able to break into the Machwa valley, but the Serbs received reinforcements and repulsed the attack. On the night of September 8-9, Austro-Hungarian troops again crossed the river. One of the divisions of the 8th corps fought all day in the area of Lake Cherno-Bora, but could not withstand the counter-offensive of the Serb troops and again retreated across the river. During the indiscriminate crossing, the bridge was blocked and the Austrian rearguard was destroyed by Serbian troops. As a result, the crossing of the northern group of the Austro-Hungarian army group failed.
In the southern sector, the offensive of the Austrian troops developed more successfully. In the area of Lyubov, the Austrian mountain troops were able to gain a foothold on the ridge of the right bank of the river on September 7. Drins. Soon the Austrian troops reached the foot of the Guchevo ridge, the Krupanie and Pechka plateau. But, then the offensive of the Austro-Hungarian army stalled. The Austrians were unable to achieve decisive success for two months (until early November). Both sides unsuccessfully tried to overturn the enemy: the Austrians tried to throw off the Serbs from the heights of Guchevo, and the Serb troops tried to push the enemy back beyond the Drina.
However, at this time, the position of the Serbian army began to deteriorate due to the lack of artillery ammunition. The pre-war reserves were exhausted, and new receipts were not enough for such an intense battle. There was also a lack of other weapons and ammunition. Two Austro-Hungarian corps received reinforcements, captured the heights on Guchevo and began to push the Serbs. Serbian troops were threatened with engulfing the right flank, and withdrew to new positions. At the same time, the Serbs organized strong counterattacks, kept the enemy at a considerable distance. The Serbian army withdrew in an organized manner to a new line of defense.
On November 14, Austro-Hungarian troops occupied Valjevo. The Austrian offensive was accompanied by the burning of Serbian villages and violence against civilians. In the same period, the Austro-Hungarian command tried to carry out an offensive operation in the northern direction, near Semendria. Here six battalions were transported across the river. Danube. However, they were completely destroyed.
From 16 to 20 November, Serbian troops took up defensive positions on the lines: r. Kolubara, its tributary the Liga, the Suvobor mountain range, the Kablar and Nesar ranges, between which the waters of the Upper Morava flowed. The left flank was held by the 1st Army of General Boyovic, transferred from the Belgrade area, the center - by the 3rd Army of General Jurisic-Sturm, the right flank - by the 2nd Army of Stefanovich.
The Austro-Hungarian command struck at the 2nd army with formations of the 8th and the newly formed 17th corps, the 3rd army attacked parts of the 13th and 15th corps, the 1st army - the troops of the 16th corps (they advancing in the area of the Suvobor massif and in the direction of Pozhega). The most powerful blow was struck on the left flank. Austrian troops captured Suvobor. The Serbian command was forced to pull back the troops on the right flank and leave the capital. On December 2, 1914, the front passed between the Danube and the upper reaches of the Morava River along the heights of Drenie, Kosmai, Lazorevac and the western slope of the Rudnik plateau.
The Austrian 5th Army enters Belgrade. December 5, 1914
The Austrian command, having occupied Belgrade, decided that victory was close and the Serbian army was no longer capable of serious resistance. However, the Austrians miscalculated. Allies helped the Serbs. At this time, Serbia received guns and ammunition from France through the port of Thessaloniki. And along the Danube to the Prahova pier, military and food aid from the Russian Empire was organized. In addition, 1,400 students arrived, who completed a two-month course, they became non-commissioned officers in the companies, strengthening their command. This allowed the Serbian command to restore the striking power of the army and launch a counteroffensive. Moreover, it was impossible to retreat further. The loss of Kragujevac, the most important industrial and military center, threatened with complete defeat.
They decided to strike the main blow on the left flank. The commander of the 1st Army, General Misic (he replaced Bojovic), received a left flank to strike on Pozega, and with the center and right flank on the Suvobor massif. Suvorob was ordered to be taken at any cost. The 2nd and 3rd armies were to support this offensive.
On the morning of December 3, Serbian troops launched a counteroffensive in the area of the mine. Morning fog obscured the movements of Serb troops. The Austrian column was rather carelessly descending from the Suvobor massif. Serbian artillery fire and a surprise attack led to the complete defeat of the Austrian column, which did not manage to turn into battle formation. However, on the heights, five Austrian brigades fought fiercely for three days, repelling Serb attacks. Only in the afternoon of December 5, the Austro-Hungarian troops began to withdraw. The remnants of the 16th corps retreated to Uzhitsa and beyond. The rest of the Austrian corps were also defeated.
Misic's army, not paying attention to its right flank, pursued the troops of the 16th, 15th and the right flank of the 13th corps to the Drina River. The Austro-Hungarian command was unable to transfer army reserves in time to contain the Serbian offensive. Austro-Hungarian troops fled, abandoning artillery, weapons, carts, warehouses, etc.
When the success of the 1st Army was obvious, the troops of the 2nd and 3rd armies attacked the enemy on the front from Drenia to Lazorevats. The formations of the Austrian 17th, 8th and parts of the 13th corps tried to counterattack, but were driven to a position south of Belgrade. On December 13, their resistance was finally broken and the Austro-Hungarian troops were again thrown back into their territory.
Outcomes
On December 15, Serbian troops liberated Belgrade and finally cleared Serbia of enemy troops. The Austro-Hungarian army lost 46 thousand prisoners, 126 guns, 70 machine guns, 362 ammunition boxes, large stocks of ammunition, provisions and various property.
However, the Serbian forces were exhausted and worn out by the heavy battle. They were unable to build on the success and complete the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian army. The Serbian army again stopped at the borders of the r. Sava and r. Drins. There were no reserves for a further offensive.
After two defeats in 1914, the Austro-Hungarian command abandoned offensive operations for a long time. Two corps were left to defend the borders. The rest of the troops were transferred to defend the Carpathians. In addition, in May 1915, Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, which distracted Vienna from Serbia.
On the whole, it was a sensitive defeat for Austria-Hungary. Germany and Austria-Hungary were unable to punch through the passage to join the allied Ottoman Empire.
