The Story of the Great War, Volume 2: History of the European War from Official Sources
History
The Story of the Great War, Volume 2: History of the European War from Official Sources
World War, 1914-1918
During that same day, August 18, 1914, the Austrians had renewed their
pressure on the Third Army and the Third Ban men. Soldatovitcha was
their first objective. During the day reenforcements arrived and the
commanding general was able to hold his own, retaking Soldatovitcha
after it had once been lost. Thus ended the day of August 18, 1914, the
third day of the battle.
Early next morning, on August 19, 1914, the Austrians in Shabatz renewed
their efforts to penetrate the Serbian lines to the southward. So
determined was their effort that finally the Serbians in this sector
were driven back over on to the right bank of the River Dobrava. All day
the fighting continued, the Serbians barely holding their position,
strong as it was.
This success of the Austrians hampered the cavalry division, which had
not only to secure its flank, but had also to keep between the Shabatz
Austrians and the Serbians operating on Tzer, whom they might have
attacked from the rear.
Along the Tzer ridges, however, things were going well for the Serbians.
At noon they had taken Rashulatcha, which left the column free to
continue its pursuit of the fleeing Austrians along the ridges. From the
heights above the Serbian guns fired into the retreating Austrians down
along the Leshnitza River, turning the retreat into a mad panic. By
evening the advance guard of this division had arrived at Jadranska
Leshnitza.
In the early morning, August 19,1914, the Serbians over on the Iverak
ridges had attacked in deadly earnest. Naturally the huge success and
rapid advance of the Serbians over on the Tzer ridges were of great
importance to them. Here the Austrians were put to rout too. At 11 a. m.
the Serbians stormed Velika Glava and took it, but here their progress
was checked by a strong artillery fire from the west of Rashulatcha.
Then rifle firing broke out along the whole line from Velika Glava to
Kik. Near Kik the Austrians were massing in strong force, and the Third
Army was reported to be again in danger, this time from a hostile
turning movement. Fortunately general headquarters was able to come to
the rescue with reenforcements. This lessened the danger from Kik.
Whereupon the advance along Iverak was continued. By the middle of the
afternoon, when the Austrians were driven out of Reingrob, the Serbians
controlled the situation. The defeat of the Austrians was complete.
The Third Army was again in trouble during this day, August 19,1914. Its
left flank continued its advance from Soldatovitcha, but the Austrians
attempted to pierce their center. But finally this sorely tried section
of the Serbian front emerged triumphant. Before evening the Austrians
were driven back in scattered disorder, leaving behind them three
hospitals filled with wounded, much material, and 500 prisoners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account