The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe, S. 141

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Field-Marshal Putnik, was appointed Commander of the First Army, and was ordered to lead the attack as soon as the necessary ammunition should arrive from the Allies.

The general offensive took place on the 38rd of December and met with brilliant results. The enemy was taken completely by surprise. The Austro-Hungarians never supposed that the Serbians, who had been retreating for a whole month, would recover sufficient energy and courage to attack them. They failed to take full advantage of their strong position in the hills, and their artillery played a very ineffective part. They were attacked both on the front and on the wings very vigorously, whilst the Serbian artillery, which shelled them simultaneously in the front and the rear, worked such terrible havoc that the enemy believed that the Serbian forces had been increased tenfold.

In spite of their superior numbers their lines were shaken, and after ten hours of most desperate resistance, they began to retreat, hoping for better luck next day. But the Serbian Army, fired by this long expected success, gave them no respite. The Serbian attack next day proved to be most vigorous. The troops surpassed themselves in courage and impetuosity. There was not a unit or an officer who did not distinguish himself. The Austrians, leaving 1000 dead and wounded, hastily retired to the line SuvoborRayac-Prostruga, where they had stationed

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