The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

considerable distance between Serbia and Montenegro, but failed to achieve any lasting success. Not one Mussulman came to the assistance of the invaders. Reinforced by troops from the third ban, the Serbians met the enemy on the Cerni Verh and inflicted such a sanguinary defeat on him that four weeks later thousands of bodies of the enemy were discovered in the deep ravines or scattered among the trees of the forest.

The whole force of the enemy, from 200,000 strong to 250,000 men, pressed hard on the Serbians along the banks of the Save and Drina. Their main army crossed the Drina between Zvornick and Bielina, but instead of directing their principal blow against Machva, as in August, they met here with complete failure, and the last remnants of the beaten troops were driven back across the Drina on September 10th.

On the front Lubovia-Loznica the Serbians had but a small force, for they hoped that the mountainous character of the country would help to check the enemy’s advance. Anyhow, the Austro-Hungarians found here more favourable conditions for invading Serbia. They concentrated on this point large forces with troops especially trained for mountain fighting. For five days they advanced steadily, although they paid dearly for every success, as the Serbians contested hotly each step.

The enemy’s blow was directed against Valevo,

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