Battle of Kajmakcalan
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Kajmakchalan was a battle of the Macedonian Front in World War I
. The battle was part of the greater military World War I campaign between the Kingdom of Serbia
, on the Allied Side
, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria
, on the Central Powers
. The battle remains known in history for the great number of casualties that the Serbian army suffered and for the extraordinary force that both sides showed.
The battle was fought between September 12 and September 30, 1916, when the Serbian army after suffering huge casualties managed to capture the peak of prophet Ilia on the height of 2.524 meters, while pushing the Bulgarians toward Mariovo
, where the latter formed new defensive lines. Between September 26 and September 30, the peak changed hands several times till it was captured by the Serbian army on September 30.
The battle proved very costly for both sides. Serbian loses had reached around 10,000 killed or wounded by 23 of September, several days before the battle ended. The Bulgarian companies had been reduced to 90 men each and one regiment had 73 officers and 3,000 men hors de combat
.
By strategic aspect the battle was not a huge success for the Allies
due to the upcoming winter that made almost impossible further military engagements.
Today there is a small church on the peak of Prophet Ilia where the skulls of dead Serbian soldiers are stored, and it is regarded as a cultural site and a tourist attraction
.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The battle was part of the greater military World War I campaign between the Kingdom of Serbia
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was created when Prince Milan Obrenović, ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned King in 1882. The Principality of Serbia was ruled by the Karađorđevic dynasty from 1817 onwards . The Principality, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de...
, on the Allied Side
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Bulgaria
The Kingdom of Bulgaria was established as an independent state when the Principality of Bulgaria, an Ottoman vassal, officially proclaimed itself independent on October 5, 1908 . This move also formalised the annexation of the Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia, which had been under the control...
, on the Central Powers
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
. The battle remains known in history for the great number of casualties that the Serbian army suffered and for the extraordinary force that both sides showed.
The battle was fought between September 12 and September 30, 1916, when the Serbian army after suffering huge casualties managed to capture the peak of prophet Ilia on the height of 2.524 meters, while pushing the Bulgarians toward Mariovo
Mariovo
Mariovo is a region in the southern part of Macedonia , situated between the mountains Selechka on the west, Nidze and Kozhuf on the south, Kozjak on the east and Dren...
, where the latter formed new defensive lines. Between September 26 and September 30, the peak changed hands several times till it was captured by the Serbian army on September 30.
The battle proved very costly for both sides. Serbian loses had reached around 10,000 killed or wounded by 23 of September, several days before the battle ended. The Bulgarian companies had been reduced to 90 men each and one regiment had 73 officers and 3,000 men hors de combat
Hors de combat
Hors de Combat, literally meaning "outside the fight," is a French term used in diplomacy and international law to refer to soldiers who are incapable of performing their military function. Examples include a downed fighter pilot, as well as the sick, wounded, detained, or otherwise disabled...
.
By strategic aspect the battle was not a huge success for the Allies
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
due to the upcoming winter that made almost impossible further military engagements.
Today there is a small church on the peak of Prophet Ilia where the skulls of dead Serbian soldiers are stored, and it is regarded as a cultural site and a tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....
.
External links
- http://www.bulgarmak.org/kajmakchalan.htm, The battle of Kajmakchalan, Η μάχη του Καϊμακτσαλάν