The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe, str. 143

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

begun. Fighting had turned into mere pursuit. The other Serbian armies to the north and the south advanced simultaneously, and the whole of the enemy’s front, 250 kilométres long, was smashed in and the centre seized.

In a headlong retreat the Austro-Hungarians fled panic-stricken, abandoning their transport and wounded, throwing away their rifles and ammunition, killing their horses, and leaving motor-cars and guns. In some instances they had had time to burn the automobiles and to bury the guns, leaving only the empty limbers.

Valevo, whose capture was celebrated throughout the Dual Monarchy, was abandoned after two hours’ resistance by some Magyar regiments. The Austro-Hungarians fled towards the Save and Drina without the least attempt at resistance. Sometimes a Serbian company would chase whole regiments single-handed, mowing them down without any loss to themselves. The enemy was glad to escape or to surrender.

After several bloody encounters on the slopes of the Kosmay and Avala Hills, the Austrians were beaten also at Belgrade, and the Serbian capital was retaken on December 15th, after having remained thirteen days in possession of the enemy. This completed the Austrian rout and crowned the Serbian successes. ‘These operations on the Belgrade front were conducted personally by the old “ maker of victories,” Voivoda Putnik, and his able assistant, Colonel Pavlovic.

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