Serbian campaign

Quick Facts: Who was Serbian campaign?

Subject:

Serbian campaign

Known for:

A series of military campaigns fought by Central Powers against Serbia during World War I.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Serbian campaign was a series of military expeditions launched in 1914 and 1915 by the Central Powers against the Kingdom of Serbia during World War I. After an unsuccessful invasion by Austria-Hungary in 1914, the Central Powers launched a successful invasion in 1915 and occupied Serbia. In 1918, after breaking the front in Macedonia, Serbia and its allies liberated Serbia. The first campaign began after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914. The campaign, dubbed a "punitive expedition" (German: Strafexpedition) by the Austro-Hungarian leadership, was under the command of Austrian General Oskar Potiorek. It ended after three unsuccessful Austro-Hungarian invasion attempts were repelled by the Serbians and their Montenegrin allies.

Career & Major Achievements

The victory of the Royal Serbian Army at the battle of Cer is considered the first Allied victory in World War I, and the Austro-Hungarian Army's defeat by Serbia has been called one of the great upsets of modern military history. The second campaign was launched, under German command, almost a year later, on 6 October 1915, when Bulgarian, Austro-Hungarian, and German forces, led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen, successfully invaded Serbia from three sides, pre-empting an Allied advance from Salonica to help Serbia. This resulted in the Great Retreat through Montenegro and Albania, the evacuation to Greece, and the establishment of the Macedonian front. The defeat of Serbia gave the Central Powers temporary mastery over the Balkans, opening up a land route from Berlin to Constantinople, allowing the Germans to re-supply the Ottoman Empire for the rest of the war. Mackensen declared an end to the campaign on 24 November 1915.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Serbia was then occupied and divided between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Bulgaria. After the Allies launched the Vardar Offensive in September 1918, which broke through the Macedonian front and defeated the Bulgarians and their German allies, a Franco-Serbian force advanced into the occupied territories and liberated Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro. Serbian forces entered Belgrade on 1 November 1918. The Serbian army declined severely from about 420,000 at its peak to about 100,000 at the moment of liberation. The estimates of casualties are various: Original Serb sources claim that the Kingdom of Serbia lost more than 1,200,000 inhabitants during the war (including both military and civilian losses), which represented more than 29% of its overall population and 60% of its male population.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1914: 1914 Milestone — The Serbian campaign was a series of military expeditions launched in 1914 and 1915 by the Central Powers against the Kingdom of Serbia during World War I.
2. 1915: 1915 Milestone — The second campaign was launched, under German command, almost a year later, on 6 October 1915, when Bulgarian, Austro-Hungarian, and German forces, led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen, successfully invaded Serbia from three sides, pre-empting an Allied advance from Salonica to help Serbia.
3. 1918: 1918 Milestone — In 1918, after breaking the front in Macedonia, Serbia and its allies liberated Serbia.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Serbian campaign

True or False: “The Serbian campaign was solely an effort to secure the Balkan region for the Allied powers.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The initial campaigns were launched by the Central Powers (Austria-Hungary and Germany) against Serbia; liberation came later from the Allies.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul-Karim Qasim — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): Iraqi military officer who led the country as Prime Minister from 1958 to 1963.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Born in 1914) (1914): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Born in 1915) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Abdul Hamid II — Historical peer (Died in 1918) (1918): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Born in 1918) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.

Frequently Asked Questions about Serbian campaign