The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

by some thousands of young recruits who had only had about five months of military service when war broke out, but who immediately gave proof of their valour and dashing bravery.

Two weeks later, exasperated by the Serbian stubbornness at Belgrade, the Austro-Hungarian generals quite abandoned the idea of taking Belgrade by costly frontal attacks, and so they concentrated large forces, 250,000 strong, in the north-western corner of Serbia. They crossed simultaneously the rivers Drina and Save, and spread their army over a front sixty miles long. They advanced proudly into Serbia, confident that the occupation of that country was a matter of two weeks. But already some serious and bitter fighting had taken place round Sabae with the troops who were defending that town and the passage of the Save. The Serbians withdrew, and, rallying their forces, met the enemy on the eastern slopes of the Cer Mountains. The AustroHungarian left wing resting on the river Save and the right wing on the Drina could not be turned, but the Serbs made a fine coup in dashing with unexpected impetuosity against the centre. Ina very hot battle lasting two days (the 20th and the 21st of August) they beat the Austro-Hungarian centre and occupied the ridge of the Cer Mountain. A wedge was driven into the AustroHungarian forces cutting them into two parts, which were beaten one after another in engagements lasting ten days. This Serbian victory

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