WWI History Of The Serbian Army Sought...

[vikingcelt]

Greetings All! :)

This is my first time posting here, I am happy to be a member, and am looking forward to good discussions and discoveries. Thanks for the opportunity! :)

I am very interested in the World War One history of the Serbian Army Forces, their organisational, divisional, brigade, and regimental histories during this first Great War of the 20th Century. I have tried hard so far to find information on the web, but it is scarce. :roll:

I would appreciate very much any and all help to get good accounts, (TO&E's)Tables of Organisation and Equipment, and (OOB's)Orders of Battle of the Serbian Army, and also that of MonteNegro, Bulgaria, and Romania. Any cavalry, artillery, armor, and airforce information is also very much appreciated. :)

I am an avid amateur historian, wargamer, and modeler in small-scale 20mm 1/72-76ths scale miniatures, and am attempting to build my forces very close to the way they actually were in World War I, so I may have accurate wargames scenarios, and to further appreciate their heroic struggle against their Austro-Hungarian, German, and Bulgarian foes. p-)

I thank you in advance for all your replies and help. Have a wonderful afternoon, or evening, whichever it may be for you! :hug:

Sincerely,
Ernest Nygard (aka the "vikingcelt" ; ) :)

[Labud]

I have many books here about Serbian Army during Great War, but I need time to translate it from Serbian and then I'll post some informations. Now I'll just post some interesting pics:


Third best war photo ever, Serbian scout Dragutin Matic (Драгутин Матић) on duty during the Kolubara battle


Serbian artillery battery on Cer mountain during the Cer battle, the first battle of the Great war


Memorial Stone in village Tekerish (Текериш) in memory of the Cer battle

http://www.embassyscg.gr/Zejtinlik/ZejtSlike/Zejtinlik3.jpg
The Chapel on Zejtinlik, Serbian military cemetery in Thessaloniki, where were buried Serbian soldiers died on Macedonian front

[vikingcelt]

WOW!!! Thank you Labud!!! I really appreciate your help!!! The Serbian people were so courageous, they lost more people per capita than any other combatant in WWI. All they wanted was freedom from the oppression and encroachment of the bully state of Austro-Hungary - they initially kicked their Austro-Hungarian asses very well. A-H needed help from Germany and Bulgaria to fight them, then it was like 3 to 1, ganging up on Serbia - what could they do? But they perservered to the end!!!

Looks like you have lots of stuff about Serbia - I am grateful for your help Labud!!!

Do you have any color guides for the Serbian uniforms, so I can paint my soldiers just like the real ones???

Thanks again my friend, I appreciate it - have a great day!!! :)

[Labud]

^Thanks. :)
I'm a history student, espicialy interested in Serbian liberating wars 1912-1918. This is one of the most appreciated parts of our history, so we have many literature written about it. Almost every Serb has got one forefather who fought in the Great war. If you are interested, there is movie about Cer battle, March on Drina (http://www.yu4you.com/items/en/dvd/item_188.html)
Now something about uniforms:

By the edict about uniforms from 1908, the SMB (grey-olive) colour had replaced dark blue on Serbian uniforms. Soldiers weared on head shajkacha (шајкача), the tradicional national Serbian hat. Ofifciers weared very interesting and nice combination between shajkacha and sheepskin hat. On feet, only oficiers and I call troops weared boots, other troops had Serbian national shoes, opanci (опанци). In the begining of the war there was big problem: there were not enogh uniforms for all of 400 000 soldiers (250 000 in operative units). Only the oficiers and I call troops were fully equiped, II call troops had only shajkachas and coats (other parts of uniforms were "second hand" uniforms from Balkan wars) and III call troops didn't have uniforms at all!
After re-organization of Serbian Army on Corfu 1916, Serbian Army received French uniforms. Those uniforms like those uniforms from 1908, but with some modifications. The new element in those uniforms was helmet. It was like French helmet, but with Serbian two-headed eagles on it. Beside the helmet, soldiers continued to wear shajkachas.

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/2672/64090868yn7.jpg
I call infantry in period 1912-1915. We can see opanci on the soldier on the right side

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1272/30886468mf5.jpg
Engeneers 1912-1915

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/5245/84653633gq4.jpg
Cavalry and artillery private 1912-1915

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/5273/57595679ku2.jpg
Artillery, cavalry and engeneer oficier 1912-1915

[vikingcelt]

Thanks Labud for sharing your rich heritage with me, it is very gratifying.

Those color plates are very helpful - they will help me do the right thing with my soldiers!!!

I will make sure they fight valiantly for your forefather's memory and honor!!! :)

Any other stuff you have, please keep bringing it, thank you pal!!! :)

[Lt. James Anderson]

Through the Serbian Campaigne - Gordon Gordon-Smith

http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4013coll7&CISOPTR=30&REC=3

"A Peasant Mob": The Serbian Army on the Eve of the Great War
James M. B. Lyon
The Journal of Military History, Vol. 61, No. 3 (Jul., 1997), pp. 481-502
doi:10.2307/2954033

This is an awesome article about the Serbian Army in WWI (if you're in the US and college student, you can get it through you college library ).

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0899-3718(199707)61%3A3%3C481%3A%22PMTSA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F

[Labud]

Now, some general statistics about Serbia in WWI:

Before Balkan wars Serbian kingdom had about 3 million inhabitants. In the First balkan war Serbia liberated regions known as Old Serbia (Kosovo and northern Macedonia) and central Macedonia. After that, Serbia had about 4,5 million inhabitants. But many people from those "New regions" didn't took part in regular units in the Great war, because Serbian kingdom didn't have enough time to build military organization there.

CASUALTIES
It is known that in period 28. VI 1914. - 1. XI 1918. was recruited in Army 707.343 men. Less than 130.000 was in Army at the end of the war, which shows us that millitary casualties were about 580.000 men. By official state of Versailles conference, in that number was about 400.000 dead soldiers (other 180.000 was badly wounded and captured). Most of the soldiers died during the Great Retreat, especialy in Albanian Golgotha.
Also, Serbai suffered great casualties amongst the civilians. By the official state of Versailles conference, more than 800.000 civilians died by hands of Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian occupators.
All this shows us that Serbia suffered more then 1.200.000 dead people, about 28% of its population, and 56% of its male population.
If we include here unknown number (estimmates are 200.000-300.000) of killed Serbs from Austro-Hungary (Southern Hungary, Bosina & Herzegovina, former Military Border) in mass murders or concetration camps (the biggest was in Arad, today in Romania), we can see the big demographic disaster. Serbian people even today feels the consequences of this disaster and second demographic disaster in WWII (but this is another story).
The other (in those days) Serbian state, Montenegro, had about 250.000 inhabitants. In war died 63.000 its people, about 25% of population.

Volonteurs
Becouse many Serbs lived outside Serbia and Montenegro (most of them in Austro-Hungary), some of them escaped to Serbia in the beggining of the war (like my grand-grandfather). They were in Serbian Army like volonteurs. How the war took its course, many Serbs in AH Army who foght on Serbain front, had took the chance to surrender and became Serbian soldiers. Also, after Serbian offensives in Srem and eastern Bosnia many people who lived there had retreated with Serbian Army and became its soldiers. Serbs in AH Army in other fronts also took their chance to surrender. From captured Serbs on Russian front was formed Serbian Volonteur Corps, who fiught in Romanian fornt, and since 1917. it was moved to Macedonian front to fight with Serbian Army for liberation of Serbia. After capitulation of Montenegro, many Montenegrians fled to Serbian Army. Many Serbs came from USA (where they were Gastarbeiters) to fight with their brothers. There was about 40.000 volonteurs: 31,2% from Southern Hungary (today Vojvodina), 31,2% from Bosnia and Hezegovina, 27% from former Military Border, 8,5% from kingdom of Serbia, and small nuber from Montenegro and Slovenia.

Uniforms after reorganization of Serbian Army:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/4886/45949507gb7.jpg
Soldiers of I infantry regiment "Knjaz Milosh" on Macedonian front in French uniforms, 1916

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4205/21643610ne0.jpg
Liutenant and private of VII infantry regiment "King Peter" after liberation of Serbia in French uniforms, 1918

[Knez Eru]

Labud, you wouldn't happen to have these kind of pictures of the Serbian military between 1848 and 1908, would you?

(it's a bit off topic, I know p-))

[themacedonian]

Now, some general statistics about Serbia in WWI:

Before Balkan wars Serbian kingdom had about 3 million inhabitants. In the First balkan war Serbia liberated regions known as Old Serbia (Kosovo and northern Macedonia) and central Macedonia.


Liberated???

More like occupated more territory.

Serbian arrogance never amazes me.

[fourenziks]

Putnik, Misic, Bojovic, Stepanovic, Sturm, and King Peter I.....


..unbelievable generation...

God Bless Them All!!!!

[ARDITO]

For Vikingcelt:

Between december 1915 and february 1916 the Italian Royal Navy, with 584 cruises, helped
the exodus of Serbian’ Army towards Adriatico’s Sea and transported in Italy 115.000 soldiers and civilians. By October 1915 the Italian ships had resupplied the Serbian Army of provisions and ammunitions with convoys escorted by cruisers, naval destroyers, mas. The Italian Fleet endured 19 attacks of Austrian submarines losing only one ship; other two were sunk by mines.

Best wishes.

Nicola

[Airacobra]

Hello, Labud, I'm very grateful for this info. Such many casualties must be burried on the cemeteries. I'll be visiting Serbia in August, and I'd like to visit the cemeteries and memorials on my way to Montenegro. Are there any cemeteries of Dual Powers, and German troops or the memorials are only for Serbian army ?
Here in Poland on the Great War cemeteries are burried together A-H, German and Russian soldiers. They've got almost the identical graves - A-H army builted over 400 cemeteries in Galizia. TIA for any info.
Greets.

[Labud]

^In Serbia, there are no real cemeteries. After Austro-hungarian attack in 1914., so many people died, that there was nobody to bury the bodies. Some of the soldiers were buried in their villages and towns, some were buried in memorial complexes made after the war. In fact, Yugoslav authorities never had understanding for the Great War victims. But, the most of soldiers died stucked albanian mountains during Albanian Golgotha. On Corfu and Vido islands in Greece are cemeteries of soldiers who died during recover. In Thessaloniki there is big Serbian cemetery where are buried soldiers who fought in Macedonian Front. In Serbia, I know for 4 big memorials: In Tekerish (Cer battle), Guchevo (battle on Drina), Machkov Kamen (en: Cat Stone; also for battle on Drina) and memorial for defenders of Belgrade (1915) on Kosmaj mountain. But there are in almost every village and town some statue or stone with name of its inhabitants who fought and died.

[shatro]

Hello, Labud, I'm very grateful for this info. Such many casualties must be burried on the cemeteries. I'll be visiting Serbia in August, and I'd like to visit the cemeteries and memorials on my way to Montenegro. Are there any cemeteries of Dual Powers, and German troops or the memorials are only for Serbian army ?
Here in Poland on the Great War cemeteries are burried together A-H, German and Russian soldiers. They've got almost the identical graves - A-H army builted over 400 cemeteries in Galizia. TIA for any info.
Greets.

There are few foreign military cemeteries on Serbian ground which I'm aware of. In Belgrade there's English, French, Russian and Italian, maybe some more.
Those that i know of are situated close to the Belgrade's graveyard called "Novo Groblje" on the Theodore Roosevelt's street.
Hope that i helped.

[Airacobra]

A little bit, I'm thinking about contacting VDK Kassel and Schwarz Kreuz, maybe they have some info about the cemeteries in Serbia.

[Ivo]

My dad's stepfather fought in the Serbian army in the first war he's Croatian btw, it is quite interesting that my other grandparents fought in the Austro-Hungarian navy

[shatro]

A little bit, I'm thinking about contacting VDK Kassel and Schwarz Kreuz, maybe they have some info about the cemeteries in Serbia.

Upon further research i came to know that there are German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian military cemeteries in Belgrade, too.
They are situated in the same area as military cemeteries I mentioned in the previous post.

[AK-Lover]

It's very nice to see an foreigner interested in our history! :)

[AK-Lover]

Upon further research i came to know that there are German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian military cemeteries in Belgrade, too.
They are situated in the same area as military cemeteries I mentioned in the previous post.

Their is also a jewish cemetary

[Labud]

Something about some interesting destinations from Great War:

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8388/srbijasiseckomke7.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=srbijasiseckomke7.jpg)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4435/zapadnasrbijasdestinacihg4.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zapadnasrbijasdestinacihg4.jpg)
1.Tekerish
2.Trojan
3.Kosanin Grad
4.Struganik
5.Ravna Gora

TEKERISH (Текериш)

Tekerish is village on Cer mountain, where on the night 15/16. VIII 1914. began the first battle of the Great War: the Cer battle. Tekerish is 35 km from Shabac, on road Shabac-Krupanj. Near the village are two peaks of Cer mountain: Trojan and Kosanin Grad. On those two peaks are remainings of Roman fortresses. They were the key points on Cer battle. Memorial park on Tekerish was built in 1928. In tomb has been buried soldiers from both armies, also there are 5 Italian volonteurs in Serbian Army. On memorial stone is big Serbian coat of arms with words: "Your deeds are immoratl!". Within the complex is a park and little museum (entrance in museum is 50 or 100 dinars). There is also very nice nature and landscape.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/470/dscn5477un0.jpg
Memorial in Tekerish

STRUGANIK (Струганик)
Struganik is village in Mionica municipality, 32 km from Valjevo on Suvobor mountain. In this village is born the best Serbian millitary leader ever: marshal Zivojin Mishic (Живојин Мишић). It is very interesting that Mishic leaded his I Army in Kolubara battle in this region where he was born. Today in Struganik, there is his born-house, made up to little ethno museum. If you find the museum is closed (in the worktime), just go to the nearest neighbour (he is some relative of Zivojin Mishic), and ask him to open it and show it to you. Also, after visiting Struganik, you can go further to Ravna Gora (this place is also known from WWII) and climb up to Suvobor mountain, where happend Kolubara battle. From Hights of Suvobor, you can see Maljen mountain, second mountain where happened Kolubara battle. Near Struganik is Vrujci Spa, with termo-mineral springs (famous VODA VODA is from Vrujci Spa). The nature and landscape are beautiful.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3430/dscn5485vx6.jpg
Born-house of Zivojin Mishic

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/901/dscn5505cd2.jpg
View on Maljen fron Suvobor

[Airacobra]

Thanks for some information, happily this region of Serbia is on my way to Crna Gora. I can visit those places easily, thanks to You.

[Airacobra]

It's very nice to see an foreigner interested in our history! :)

I'm very interested in history, I've found some Great War cemeteries near my town. I was reading about the A-H army in Galizia, during reading I've read about the lost battles with small Serbian Army.

I think that the Serbian campaign could end the Serbian defeat, earlier than in 1915, but the russian offensive in VIII-XI 1914 in Galizia impelled the A-H Army to withdraw some divisions on to the Galizian Front. The defeat of Russian Armies in the battles of LODZ (German army), Cracow(A-H), and later Limanowa-Lapanow stopped their advance. Later was Gorlice battle, and russians must fled from Galizia. Then some divisions from Galizia were administered to attack on Serbia. Sneak bulgarian attack,supported by the French and English diplomacy brings Serbian Arny to disaster - the same was with Poland in 1939, when we were attacked by Soviet Union on the 17-th september (Secret Pact Ribbentrop-Molotov).
I hate the politicians, they've always f....d up something and the soldiers must die for their stupidity.

I'll give You another question:

Is there any strongholds in Serbia which remember the Great War ?
In Poland we've got some Strongholds, most of them was destroyed, but for example Fortress Cracow is till today in good shape. My wife is working in one of the Fort - which was rebuilded as the Office of the transportation company.
Here is the interesting link :
http://149.156.142.12/fortykrakow/index2.htm

There is some photos from the past and from today.



Greetings for all

[Labud]

There wasn't any strongholds in the Great War in Serbia, nor in Austro-Hungary (parts that today are Serbia or Republic of Srpska). It is interesting that there wasn't big trench warfare at all. Only trench warfare in Serbia was during battle on Drina (first trench warfare in the Great War) september-november 1914.

[Airacobra]

In the book about second campaign i've found such a text:

"As the Serbs, when I had left Nish forty-eight hours before, were still in possession of the fortress of Pirot, twenty kilometres from the town, I did not anticipate such a speedy arrival of the Bulgarians."


Maybe there was a fortress ? builded by Otoman Empire ? Or maybe only the city was called fortress ?

Some iteresting maps of Serbia, BiH and other countries (dated on 1914) you can find here:
http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/3felmeres.htm


HVALA VAMA

[shatro]

In the book about second campaign i've found such a text:

"As the Serbs, when I had left Nish forty-eight hours before, were still in possession of the fortress of Pirot, twenty kilometres from the town, I did not anticipate such a speedy arrival of the Bulgarians."


Maybe there was a fortress ? builded by Otoman Empire ? Or maybe only the city was called fortress ?

Some iteresting maps of Serbia, BiH and other countries (dated on 1914) you can find here:
http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/3felmeres.htm


HVALA VAMA

There are many forts, fortified towns and such in Serbia. Some of these were erected by Serbian medieval rulers, some by Austro-Hungarians and some by Turks. On your way south trough Serbia you'll encounter few, like:
Maglic - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magli%C4%8D ,
Uzice - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_Grad%2C_U%C5%BEice
Stari Ras - http://www.stariras.com/stari-ras.php , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_city

[Labud]

In the book about second campaign i've found such a text:

"As the Serbs, when I had left Nish forty-eight hours before, were still in possession of the fortress of Pirot, twenty kilometres from the town, I did not anticipate such a speedy arrival of the Bulgarians."


Maybe there was a fortress ? builded by Otoman Empire ? Or maybe only the city was called fortress ?

Some iteresting maps of Serbia, BiH and other countries (dated on 1914) you can find here:
http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/3felmeres.htm


HVALA VAMA

I thought about big strongholds in my last post. But, there was little strongholds, mostly built in Ottoman, medieval and Roman times. Also, Austro-Hungary had fortresses, from older times. One of them is famous Petrovaradinian fortress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrovaradin_fortress) (where is happening EXIT festival).

[Labud]

Organization of Serbian Army in WWI

By the Law about Army from 1883., king Milan Obrenovic made modern Serbian Army based on active military service of every Serb (two yeras) instead of combination of militia and standing army. By this law, Serbian Army was divided in three "calls":
1. I call was recruited from soldiers on their military service and reserve slodiers (those who serviced their training and military service) 20-30 years old. I call was also called "active army.
2. II call was recruited from men 30-38 years old.
3. III call was recruited from men 38-50 years old. They were called chichas (чиче, еn. uncles) because of their ages. III call units were mostly in border detachments and logistic service, only in extremly hard situations they were in operative army.
4. The last defence was recruited only in extremly hard situations for logistic services. Recruited from recruits 18-20 years old and men 50-60 years old.

In old kingdom of Serbia was formed 5 divisional regions (they had their names mostly by the rivers): Moravian, Danube, Timokian, Shumadinian, Drina. In full mobilization each of regions gave one I call division, one II call division and 3 III cal regiments. So we had Moravian I call division and Moravian II call division, etc. Also, there was one cavalry division. In 1914. there was one more infantry I call division, Combined division (men was recruited from all regions). So, in 1914., there was 11 infantry divisions and one cavalry division. One infantry division had 16000 men. By operative situations, there was formed independent detachments (mostly from III call regiments) like Uzice brigade, Lim detachment, Maljen detachment...
After Balkan wars, in Old Serbia, or "New regions" was formed another 5 divisional regions: Ibarian, Kosovo, Vardarian, Bregalnica, and Bitolj. But there was not enough time to organize those regions for the Great War. There was only in 1915 formed one Vardarian division and many indenpendent detachments, all in Troops of New Regions.

SERBIAN ARMY AFTER REORGANIZATION ON CORFU

After reorganization on Corfy, there was only about 150000 soldiers. Serbian Army needs reorganization. So, the new divisions didn't have 16000 men, but 9600 men.There was disbanded organization in "calls". There was 6 infantry divisions (Moravian, Timokian, Shumadinian, Danube, Drina and Vardarian) and one cavalry division. Later on Macedonian front, in 1917, Varadarian division was merged with Serbian volonteur division in Yugoslavian divison.
In 1916, in Odesa (Russia), was formed I Serbian volonteur divison. In this division was recruited Serbs from Austro-Hungary captured by the Russians. This division took part in heavy battles in Dobrudza on Romanian front. Later was formed II Serbian volonteur division (and those two divisions in Serbian volonteur corps), but soon it was disbanded because most of its soldiers was Croatians and Slovenians who didn't want to fight in Serbian Army. In 1917. Serbian volonteur division was finaly dislocated in Macedonian front with the rest of Serbian Army.

FORMATION OF SERBIAN DIVISIONS

I call division:
4 infantry regiments
1 artillery regimant
1 cavalry regiment
1 engeneering half-battalion and telephone squad
1 medical company with divisional hospital and 3 field hospitals
Logistic units

II call division:
3 infantry regiments
1 or 2 artillery batallion(s)
1 cavalry squadron
1 engeneering half-batallion and telephone squad
1 medical company with divisional hospital and 3 field hospitals
Logistic units

Cavalry division:
2 cavalry brigades (each has 2 cavalry regiments)
1 artillery batallion
Engeneering and telephone squad
Logistic units

[Labud]

More interesting destinations:

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4421/istocnabosnasadestinacicc1.th.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=istocnabosnasadestinacicc1.jpg)
1. Krupanj
2. Machkov Kamen
3. Guchevo


MACHKOV KAMEN (Maчков Камен, еn. Cat's Stone)

Machkov Kamen is peak on Jagodnja (Јагодња) mountain. It is near town of Krupanj (Крупањ), which is about 50 km southern from Shabac (Шабац). On this peak in 16-22. september 1914. took place one of the hardest fightings between Serbian and Austro-Hungarian army in the first, manevours phase of the trench battle on Drina. Today, there is memorial stone with tomb, built in 1929. In Krupanj was built in 1931. memorial church, also with tomb with bodies. In both tombs are buried sldiers from the both sides. Church is built in new serbo-byzatine style.

Memorial on Machkov Kamen


Memorial Church in Krupanj


Tomb insade the church in Krupanj

GUCHEVO (Гучево)

Guchevo is mountain on the right side of Drina river. Under this mountain is town of Loznica (Лозница), which is about 40 km distanced from Shabac. On this mountain was heavy fighting during battle on Drina, which lasted 55 days. The hardest fighting was in first phase of this battle was 8-29 september 1914. Then began first trench battle in world's history, first on Guchevo, and then on whole front on Drina. Today, there (a few km from Loznica) is memorial stone with tomb, built in 1929. Stone is pyramid with Serbian two-headed eagle on its top. In tomb are buried soldiers from both sides.

http://www.tool.org.yu/istorija/gucevo_pic/gucevo.jpg
Memorial on Guchevo

http://www.tool.org.yu/new/kosturnica2.jpg
Top of memorial stone with two-headed eagle

[Metak]

In Thessaloniki there is big Serbian cemetery where are buried soldiers who fought in Macedonian Front. In Serbia, I know for 4 big memorials: In Tekerish (Cer battle), Guchevo (battle on Drina), Machkov Kamen (en: Cat Stone; also for battle on Drina) and memorial for defenders of Belgrade (1915) on Kosmaj mountain. But there are in almost every village and town some statue or stone with name of its inhabitants who fought and died.

There's a story in yesterday's newspaper from Serbia about Serbian military cemetery in Algerian town Deli Ibrahim:
http://www.politika.co.yu/detaljno.php?nid=32251

http://www.politika.co.yu/eaadmin/catpics/N_kuL48zp6Se38kRXXQje7RGBRl3hezVnUQMl.jpg

[Labud]

Serbian Air Forces

Serbia is country with great air forces tradition. She was one of the first countries with air forces as independent branch of arms. First air victim in history was Serbian pilot Mihajlo Petrovic (Михајло Петровић), who died during the siege of Skadar (srb. Скадар, alb. Shkodra) in 1913, when his scout plane was broken and he felt down.
In 1914., Serbia has only a few scout planes. Austro-Hungarians had supermacy in air. Serbian people was feared of planes - those unknown machines that could fly. Also, sometimes they thought of Serbian pilots that they are Austrians, because they looked very strange with their gear and uniforms. It was very funny situations, when "chichas" was capturing their own pilots, thinking that they are Austirans. :)
This fear of Ausro-Hungarian planes, who bombed Serbian towns, disspeared when Serbian artillery soldier Radoje Ljutovac (Радоје Љутовац) shot down one plane with his cannon in october 1914. It was first plane shoted down from earth. After that, all Serbian soldiers began to shoot at planes with their rifles. Soon, it was forbiden because, they could shot down Serbian planes.
In 1915. Serbian Air Forces had task to scout movings of hostile troops on line Smederevo - Golubac on Danube. On Sava and Danube from belgrade to Smederevo there was French squadron.
After Great Retreat, Serbian Air Forces was destroyed. On Macedonian front, Serbian Army had got new planes who took their part in battles on this front, and finaly in liberation of Serbia.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8000/olujvu8.jpg
Plane "Oluj" (Storm) in 1914.

[Labud]

CHETNIKS (Четници)

Chetniks are one of the first modern commando units. It would be good to see how this they was founded, before we start to describe their part in the Great war.
Chetniks was founded in Macedonia 1903. Before that, in Macedonia existed Bulgarian guerilla units from VMRO (Внутрешна македноска револуционарна организация) party, called Comits. After the disaster of Ilinden rebellion, Serbai, as answer to Bulgaria, formed Chetniks. Greek guerilla units was called Andrats. All three kinds of units made guerilla actions against Ottoman forces, but, as Bulgaria pretended to whole Macedonia, there was also battles batween Chetniks and Andrats from one side and Comits from the other side. For example, today very popular song, "Get ready, get ready, chetniks" was made after Serbian victory against Comits in village of Drenovo, near Veles. Chetniks took the big part in Balkan wars. Commanders of Chetnik companies had unofficial title ''војвода'' (it can be translated as duke or marshal)
In the Great war, in 1914., there was four Chetnik detachments: Zlatibor, Jadar, Rudnik and Gornjak. Their mission was to fight behind enemy lines, mostly with hand grenades and cold weapon, where they were very succesful. The famous commanders in the Great war was liutenant-colonel Vojin Popovic (marshal Vuk), major Voja Tankosic, liutenant Kosta Vojinovic-Kosovac, liutenant Kosta Milovanovic-Pecanac,... In 1915., for Belgrade Defense was formed Srem Detachment under command of major Ignjat Kirhner. Almost all of this Chetniks died during the defence of Belgrade. In eastern borders was formed big Chetnik detachment with 4000 men under command of Marshal Vuk. After Great Retreat and Albanian Golgotha, there was only 500 Chetniks. On Macedonian Front, Marshal Vuk formed new detachment (2200 men), who took part in battles of Gornichevo and Kajmakchalan. In battle of Kajmakchalan, when Chetniks took the peak Grunishte, was killed Marshal Vuk. His detachment, after this heavy battles, had only 450 men and was disband. In 1917 marshals Pecanac and Kosovac made Toplica rebellion, which was unsuccesful.
After Great War, Chetniks remained spcial forces of Yugoslav Army. In WWII they was one of the anti-fascist guerilla troops in Serbia. After WWII they don' exist any more.

http://www.srpskidespot.org.yu/Slike/cetniciVuk.jpg
Chetniks of Marshal Vuk (standing in the middle)

[GZA]

After WWII they don' exist any more.

How would you call these bastards who called themselves Chetniks and slaughter women and children in bosnia and croatia?

They called themselve Chetnik and carry the old Chetnik-Signs... :roll:

http://www.geocities.com/ravnogorci/slavko2.jpg

[Lokos]

How would you call these bastards who called themselves Chetniks and slaughter women and children in bosnia and croatia?


They can call themselves whatever they like, it's not the same organization.

Lokos

[Lokos]

Labude, from your picture, can you make out the Montenegrins? Hehe.

Lokos

[VanZorich]

Labude, from your picture, can you make out the Montenegrins? Hehe.

Lokos

They must be those who are sitting, hehehehehe...

[Labud]

^You took the word from my mouth. :)

[SrB-23Q]

not everyone can be a chetnik and it cirtenly isnt just any soldier that calls them selves a chetnik

[themacedonian]

not everyone can be a chetnik and it cirtenly isnt just any soldier that calls them selves a chetnik


I love it how the Serbs monopolised the term Chetnik. Chetnik is an older term meaning member of a cheta (regiment) nothing more nothing less.

In Macedonia was used as a chetnik or a member of the regiment.

Why wouldn't anyone be a chetnik? One grandfather a brother of my direct grandfather was a chetnik and was part of the events in the withdraw of the Serbian army through Albania.

[SrB-23Q]

cetniks were the kings guard thats why not just anyone can be a cetnik

[Labud]

THE GRAETEST SERBIAN COMMANDERS - 4 MARSHALS AND 1 GENERAL


Radomir Putnik (Радомир Путник)

He was born in Kragujevac, 24. I 1847. He graduated Artillery school there. In Serbo-Turkish wars 1876-1878, as captain and major, he commanded Rudnik brigade in battles on Javor, Veliki Siljegovac, Krevet, Djunis and liberating of Nis and Pirot. In later operations he commanded Veternik detachment. After these wars he became the chief of Standing Army stuff. In Serbo-Bulgarian war 1885., he was chief of Danube division stuff. He was promoted to colonel in 1889, and then he became assistant of chief of General-stuff, and professor on Millitary Academy. In 1893., he became commander of Sumadija divsional region, but he was retired in 1895, because he was suspected for collaborating with Radical party.
After May coup, 1903., he was activated, promoted to general, and became chief of General-stuff. In the same time, he was minister of Army three times: 1904,1906-1908,1912. During this time, Serbian Army was armed with modern weapons, war plans and new doctrines was made. During the Anexion crisis (1908), with his asisstant, Zivojin Misic, he made plan for war against Austro-Hungary.
In Balkan Wars, he was the chief of High Command. He took big part in Serbian victories in Kumanovo and Bitola battles. After battle of Kumanovo, he became the first Serbian marshal. In battle of Bregalnica, he disposed Serbian army in the best way to recieve Bulgarian attack.
In the Great war, he was again chief of High Command, although he was very sick. He took much credit in Serbian victories in 1914 on Cer, Drina and Kolubara. During the Great retreat, in 1915, he escaped surruonding of Serbian Army, although it was attackeg from three sides. Old, sick and tired, he resigned in Skadar in december 1915. After evacuation of Serbian Army, he was sent to Nice on therapy. He died there in 17. V 1917. His body was moved to Belgrade in 1926. He is remembered as master of deep and ellastic defence.


Zivojin Misic (Живојин Мишић)

He was born in village of Struganik near Valjevo as 13th child in family, in 6. VII 1855. When he was sent to school in Kragujevac, his older brother Lazar, was already in Army. He graduated Artillery school as 19. in rank. In Serbo-Turkish wars 1876-1878, he was pupil-sargeant and second liutenant, as commander of company, batallion, and detachment, where he got the Gold medal for courage. In Serbo-Bulgarian war, he was in rank of major and commanded to batallion. In preiod 1891-1903 he was professor on Millitary academy, royal adjutant and commander of Drina divisional region. As former Obrenovic adjutant, the conspirators form Black hand society who made May coup, retired him for the first time, in rank of colonel. In this period, he tried to start printing busines.
Because of hard situation, he was re-activated in 1908 on demand of Radomir Putnik, as his assistant. Then, they made war plan for eventualy Austro-Hungarian attack on Serbia. He remained Putnik's assistant in Balkan Wars. After battle of Kumanovo, he was promoted to general. Anyway, the influence of Black hand society and bad treatment of civilian authorities to great generals made that he was the second time retired in 1913.
But, as always, in hard moments, in July crisi, he was re-activated again. He was again Putnik’s assistant, and they realized the plan they made 6 years earlier very successful. In the beginning of the Kolubara battle he became commander of 1st Army instead of wounded Petar Bojovic. He led this battle in the region where he was born. Then, he made, after big arguing with High command, genious and risky thing: he retreated his army very deep, and then, after soldiers have been rest themselves, started great counter-attack, without receiving attack on new positions! Because of that, he was promoted to marshal (војвода). During the Great retreat, he stayed as commander of 1st Army. In the meeting of army commanders in Pec (December 1915), he was against retreting through Albanian and Montenegrian mountains. Instead of that he proposed the decisive battle on Kosovo. His proposal was rejected, and after evacuation on Corfu, he was retired for the third time, because of this his proposal, which authorities formulated as “treason”. Then he was sent to France on therapy, because he got sick in Albanian Golgotha. Anyway, when he was more needed, in the middle of Bulgarian offensive on Macedonian front in september 1916, he was again re-activated, and led his 1st Army to victory in battle of Gornicevo. 1. VII 1918., he became chief of High Command, and led Serbian Army on its final attack on Macedonian front to liberate the fatherland. After war he was retired for the last time. He died in Belgrade 20. I 1921.
He was the most talented Serbian commander ever and one of the most talented commanders in the history. When he got a holiday, he always had gone to his village and helped his brothers in agricultural works. His mother used to call him Beetle (Бубица). He was very popular among the soldiers who call him Blondie (Жућа). He was writing, but didn’t finished his autobiography, called “My memories”.


Stepa Stepanovic (Степа Степановић)

He was born in village of Kumodraz near Belgrade in 12. III 1856. He graduated Artillery school in generation with Zivojin Misic as 1. in rank. For courage and good commanding in Serbo-Turkish wars 1876-1878, he earned Takovo Cross with sword. In Serbo-Bulgarian war he was company commander. Later, he was professor on Millitary Academy and assistant of chief of General-stuff. 1907. he was promoted to general and became commander of Sumadija divisional region. Year later he was Army minister, then commander of Drina divisional region, and Morava divisional region, and then 1911-1912 again Army minister.
In liberating wars 1912-1918, he was whole time commander of 2nd Army. In First phase of 1st Balkan war his Army took part in Kumanovo battle. In second phase, he took part with his 2nd Army in siege of Edrine with Bulgarians. In 2nd Balkan war, he successfully defended Nisava valley from Bulgarians.
In Great War, he also commanded 2nd Army, which crushed Austro-Hungarians in battle of Cer, the first battle in the Great War. Then, he was promoted to marshal. In battle of Drina, he stoped attack of Austro-Hungarian 5th Army and Combined corps. In Kolubara battle, he gave great resistance to the Austro-Hungarian 5th Army in its attempts to reach river Ljig. In counter-attack, his Army liberated Belgrade. In Great retreat, his 2nd Army slowed down Bulgarian attacks. On Macedonian Front, he took part in battle of Kajmakcalan (1916) and breaking thorugh the Macedonian Front 1918. After the war, he was retired. He died in Cacak 29. IV 1929. In critical moments he had a habit to go in the first lines and fight with soldiers.


Petar Bojovic (Петар Бојовић)
http://www.frvesti.com/2000/10/12/101222S2.jpg
He was born in village of Misevici near Nova Varos (southern of Uzice) in 16. VII 1858. He was in Serbo-Turkish wars 1876-1878 as pupil of Artillery school in High Command and battery. Then he continued with education, and was promoted to second liutenant 1880. He became liutenant in 1883. In Serbo-Bulgarian war 1885. he distinguished himself with courage on Slivnica, Dragoman, Caribrod (today Dimitrovgrad) and Pirot. After that, he was a little time chief of stuff of Sumadija division. After the war he was sent to France on further education, then he was company commander and then chief of stuff of Morava divisional region. 1901., he was promoted to colonel. Before the Balkan Wars he was commander of brugade, divisional region, assistant of chief of General-stuff and commander of Cavalry division.
In Balkan Wars he was chief of stuff of 1st Army and its real commander, because prince Alexander was only its nominal commander. With his work, he took the greatest part in Serbian victories in battles of Kumanovo and Bitola. Then he was promoted to general. After that he was commander of Seaside Corps in Albania. In 2nd Balkan war he was again chief of suff of 1st Army, which broke Bulgarian defense on Bregalnica battle.
In the Great War he commanded the 1st Army. Frstly, he liberated Sabac on 24th august 1914., when he was wounded in the leg. Then his Army made offensive in Srem. But, because of second Austro-Hungarian big offensive, he was retreated from Srem, and his I Army took part in Battle on Drina, in the most bloodiest fighting for peak Machkov Kamen. On this position, he was replaced by Zivojin Misic, in the beginning of Kolubara battle, because of his wounds.
In the Great Retreat, he was commander of New Regions Troops in Macedonia. He commanded in unsuccessful Kacanik operation in attempt to break thorugh the way through Macedonia for Serbian Army. He became chief of High Command in 1916, after Putnik’s retirement. He commanded Serbian Army in its great victories in Gornicevo and kajmakcalan against Bulgarians. In july 1918, he became commander of 1st Army. In breaking thorugh the Macedonian front on Dobro Pole, he surrounded 2nd and 4th Bulgarian division and then he was promoted to marshal. He continued with advancing and crushed Germans near Nis.After the war he was retired. In April war, 1941., he was re-activated as nominally assistant of High commander, but he didn’t have any influence on this war. He died in Belgrade 20. I 1945.


Pavle Jurisic – Sturm (Павле Јуришић – Штурм)

He was born in Görlitz 22. VIII 1848. as Paul Sturm. He was German, but some said that he was Luzica Serb. Anyway, he was second liutenant in Germano-France war 1870-1871. Then he meet Petar karadjordjevic, future Serbian king, who was captured france second liutenant, and they became friends. In Russian-Turkish war 1876-1878, he went to Turkey as mercenary, but he stayed in Serbia as volonteur in rank of liutenant. In 1st Serbo-Turkish war 1876-1877 he was batallion commander. In Second Serbo-Turkish war (1877-1878) he was promoted to captain and regiment commander. He stayed in Serbia and “serbed” himself. He just translated his name to Serbian (Paul=Павле; Sturm=јуриш>Јуришић), but he kep his last name Sturm as alias. In Serbo-Bulgarian war he was commander of 6. regiment of Drina division. In 1st Balkan war, in rank of colonel, he was commander of Drina I call division, and in 2nd Balkan war commander of Danube I call division. Then he was promoted to general.
In the Great War, he was commander of 3rd Army. In 1914., his Army took big part in Cer and Battle on Drina by keeping back much stronger Austro-Hungarian Armies. In the Great retreat he also commanded 3rd Army, and in Macedonian front until august 1916. then, he was retired of some stupid reasons (we have already seen bad treatment of civilian authorities to the great commanders in example of Zivojin Misic). He died in Belgrade on 14. I 1921.

[Labud]

OTHER SERBIAN AND ENTENTE COMMANDERS

Janko Vukotic (Јанко Вукотић)

Janko Vukotic is born in village of Chevo near Cetinje in Montenegro on 18.II 1866. He graduated Millitary Academy in Modena in 1886. In 1902. he became colonel (бригадир). In period 1905-1910, he was member of goverment, when he was promoted to general (дивизијар) and commander of 1. division. He had the title of serdar, which was reserved only for the best men in Montenegro. In First Balkan war he comanded Eastern detachment in Metohija and Rashka region. Then he became chief of High Command. In Second Balkan war he was commander of Montenegro division, which had fought in Bregalnica battle with Serbian Army.
In the Great War, he was in the beginning chief of High Command and commander of Herzegovina detachment. In autumn 1914 he became commander of Sandzak Army which together with Serbian Uzice Army made the offensive in eastern Bosnia in september 1914.
In the Great retreat, he succesfuly protected the left flank of Serbian Army. He sugested king Nikola to retreat montenegrian Army together with Serbian. King refused his suggetion, and he resigned from all his functions. But he still remained commander of Sandzak Army, and lead Montenegrioan Army in battle of Mojkovac (january 1916), where outnumbered Montenegrian trooops had succesfuly protected Serbian Army in its retreat through Albania. After Montenegrian capitulation, he was captured. After the war he was general in Yugoslav Army. He died in Belgrade on 4. II 1927.


Bozidar Jankovic (Божидар Јанковић)

He was born in Belgrade 18. XII 1849. He graduated artillery school in Belgrade 1874. In Serbo-Turkish wars (1876-1878) he was chief of stuff of Cuprija brigade I class. In Serbo-Bulgarian war (1885) he was in service on High Command. After taht he was division commander, chief of stuff of Active Army, minister of defense. In 1902. he was promoted to general, but in 1903., after May coup, he was retired.
He was re-activated in First Balkan war, when he was commander of 3rd Army, which liberated Kosovo and, through Albania, came to the Adriatic coast. In Second Balkan war, he also commanded 3rd Army which rejected mighty Bulgarian attacks in battle of Bregalnica, but he didn't use all opportunities in counter-attack.
In the Great war he was chief of Montenegrian High Command. After Montenegrian capitulation, he was in Serbian High Command.
He died in Herceg-Novi on 7. VII 1920.


Maurice Sarrail
http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin08/imag0764.jpg
He was born in 1856. In the beginning of Great war, he was commander of 6th French Corps, and in battle of Marne he was commander of 3rd Army. In 1915., he became commander of French eastern Army, which failed to help Serbian Army in the Great retreat and made possible retreating though Macedonia. Until decembre 1917., he was commander of all allied forces on Macedonian front. After the war he was commander of French forces in Syria. He died in 1929.


Louis Franchet d'Espérey

He was born in Mostaganem in what is today Algeria, on 25. may 1856., the son of an officer of cavalry in the Chasseurs d'Afrique. He was educated at Saint-Cyr and graduated in 1876. He served in French Indochina, China (against the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 during which his cousin the German plenipotentiary Klemens von Ketteler was killed) and Morocco before 1914.
In 1914, Franchet d'Espérey did well as an corps commander at the Battle of Charleroi, and as result he rose rapidly through the ranks during the war. On the eve of the First Battle of the Marne, Franchet d'Espérey was given command of the French Fifth Army. By March 1916, Franchet d'Espérey was in command of the Eastern Army Group and by January 1917 the Northern Army Group. He was badly defeated by the Germans at the Battle of Chemin des Dames in May 1918. He was removed from the Western Front and appointed commander of the Allied armies at Salonika.
Between September 15-29, 1918 General Franchet d'Espérey, in command of a large army of Greeks (9 divisions), French (6 divisions), Serbians (6 divisions), British (4 divisions) and Italians (1 division) - staged a successful offensive in Macedonia that knocked Bulgaria out of the war, by plan made with Serbian High Command. General Franchet d'Esperey followed up this victory by overrunning much of the Balkans and by the war's end, his troops had penetrated well into Hungary. During this final campaign, he was given the nickname "Desperate Frankie" by the British officers.
After World War I ended, General Franchet d'Espérey directed operations against the Hungarian Soviet Republic in 1919.
He was made a marshal of France on February 19, 1921, and was given a honorary title of Vojvoda (equivalent of Field-Marshal) from the Serbs. He represented France at the coronation of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on November 1, 1930. He was elected to the French Academy on November 15, 1934.
He died in Albi, on 3 July 1942.

[AK-Lover]

So many people on here talking stupidity about the Chetniks, it's sad. Only Labud posted some very good facts. And GZA you have no idea what you are talking about.

[boksi]

Where The Yellow Lemon Blooms
With English Subs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BT2Ry2_bok


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yzm22n7ZQA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nga-vEkLnlM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lrYFec9uCY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6Hul__ZlQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFGJksUTlak


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20uyjhsO_Y4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYl0d_JfPVo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4kz7KrDSo4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnCPYkfuu-M


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIBS4V86gEs

[Airacobra]

Thanks for links. Very interesting.

[cinoeye]

Aircraft MArking-
108420

War Flag-
108421

Royal Gurard-
108422108423

Infantry-

108424108425

Calvary-
108426108427


Serbian-American volunteers-

108429



Chetnik Units-
108430