Third Balkan War

The Third Balkan War, also known as the Austro-Serbian War and the Great Balkan War, was a war from 1914-1918 in the Balkans following the July Crisis. It was the long-term result of a series of events since 1870 with the Franco-Prussian War as tensions had grown to be harsh over the decades in Europe. The last major war was the Napoleonic Wars, making many countries itchy to prove themselves. On top of this, the German Empire, as a fairly new country only founded in 1871, was disrespected by many great powers. The conflict came to light on July 28, 1914 as the result of the July Crisis. It ended on November 11, 1918 with the final surrender of the Balkan League.
== Road to War ==
=== Franco-Prussian War ===
The year is 1870, and the Second French Empire has just gone to war with the North German Confederation. While the French intially pushing the Germans back, the North German Confederation and their southern German allies steamrolled through France. Napoleon III, the French emperor, was captured in battle and the Second French Empire collapsed. In it's place, the French Third Republic is formed. After the Germans besieged Paris, the French surrendered. The Germans united into the German Empire, and France experienced a failed rebellion in Paris.
=== Second Concert of Europe ===
The Second Concert of Europe started in the 1880s with the Berlin Conference determining the result of the Scramble for Africa. The Berlin Conference gave almost all the great European powers a slice of Africa, but also raised tensions due to not everyone getting the exact colonies they wanted where they wanted them. It also didn't help that the Kingdom of Italy lost the First Italo-Ethiopian War, securing the independence of the Ethiopian Empire. The Senussi Order also resisted foreign control. The situation also escalated in Somalia with the Dervish Movement surving for while.
=== Congress of Berlin ===
From June 13, 1878, to July 13, 1871, the Russian Empire and Ottoman Empire negotiated with German help what to do in with the Balkans following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. This resulted in the independence of multiple Balkan states.
=== Campaign in Bosnia ===
One of the areas that didn't gain independence after the Congress of Berlin, was Bosnia. This lead to Austria-Hungary invading and occupying the region. After a few months of battle, Ottoman forces left Bosnia to the Austro-Hungarian occupation.
=== Dual Alliance ===
On October 7th, 1879, the German Empire and Austria-Hungary signed the Dual Alliance. The alliance established mutual military aid between Germany and Austria-Hungary in the event of war. This would eventually drive Germany to support Austria-Hungary in the Third Balkan War.
==== Triple Alliance ====
On May 20, 1882, the Kingdom of Italy joined the Dual Alliance and thus founded the Triple Alliance. Italy would leave the alliance a week before the outbreak of the Third Balkan War, leading to the Triple Alliance being dissolved and the Dual Alliance being recreated.
=== Franco-Russian Alliance ===
In response to the Triple Alliance, the French and Russians signed a series of treaties establishing the Franco-Russian Alliance. The alliance would last until to the Polish Revolution in 1919.
=== Anglo-German Naval Arms Race ===
The British Royal Navy as long been the greatest navy in the world. This was until 1898, when the Germans began to challenge this by building up their own navy. The new large German navy sparks naval arms race with the United Kingdom. The arms race would last until 1912.
=== Entente Cordiale ===
The Entente Cordiale, more commonly known as the Entente, was founded on April 8, 1904, by the British and French to counter German power. The Entente between France and the UK still exists to this day.
=== Russo-Japanese War ===
In 1904, the Russian Empire declared war on the Empire of Japan. The Russo-Japanese War saw major Russian naval and land defeats in Korea and Manchuria, leading to Russia surrendering in 1905.
=== First Moroccan Crisis ===
In March, 1905, France attempted to annex Morocco. This resulted in Germany demanding France leave Morocco alone. The First Moroccan Crisis lasted for a year until other European powers intervened in support of France, making Morocco under French influence. This worsened French-German relations and British-Germen relations, while also moving Russia closer to France.
=== Pig War ===
From 1906-1908, Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Serbia fought in a trade war over pork. The conflict almost escalated due to Russian support of Russia, but Germany intervened and help prevent a war.
=== Bosnian Crisis ===
On October 5, 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This triggered the Bosnian Crisis as Bosnia had formerly fell under the soveriegnty of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. The Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia was viewed as illegal by most powers, however the Ottoman Empire eventually conceded due to Russian and German intervention.
=== Agadir Crisis ===
In April, 1911, French forces invaded Morocco due to an anti-French revolt in the country. The French quickly destroyed the rebellion and annexed Morocco. Off the coast of Morocco, a naval battle occured between the French and Germans. After Britain got involved on the French side, Germany gave up on Morocco and it was partitioned between France and the Kingdom of Spain.
=== Italo-Turkish War ===
In September of 1911, the Italian navy ambushed the Ottoman navy off the coast of Tripoli. This lead to an Italian landing Libya. On October 3, 1911, Italian forces seized Tripoli. On September 29, 1911, Italy declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans didn't have in army in Libya at the time due to it being busy putting down revolts in Yemen, leaving the Senussi Order to defend Libya. Due to the Ottoman navy having been defeated in the opening days of the war, the Ottomans had to raise a local army with Senussi aid to defend Libya from the Italians. The Italians would also bring in forces from Italian Somaliland to ambush Ottomans forces in Yemen. On October 10, 1911, the Italian Invasion of Libya began with Italian forces moving out of Tripoli. They quickly swept through northern Libya as it was weakly defended, but couldn't take southern Libya from the Senussi. Eventually, the Ottomans gave up and ceded Libya to the Italians. The Senussi would continue to resist until Italy withdrew from Libya during the Austrian Civil War.
=== Balkan Wars ===
The First Balkan War broke out when the Kingdom of Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire and began to push them back. Following their "Balkan League", the Kingdom of Serbia, Tsardom of Bulgaria, and Kingdom of Greece joined the war and pushed through Ottoman territory. Greek forces managed to seize Thessaloniki in late 1912, breaking the Ottoman supply lines. With their supply lines broken and many other defeats suffered elsewhere, the Ottomans surrendered in early 1913. In mid 1913, Bulgaria would betray the Balkan League due to them not being getting all the land they were promised. The Second Balkan War lasted for a month before Serbia, Greece, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Romania teamed up and defeated them.
=== Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ===
It's June 28, 1914, and Franz Ferdinand, an Archduke of Austria and the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on a trip with a wife to Bosnia for their anniversary. Franz Ferdinand wasn't really liked by... well, anybody. But he supported rights for ethnic groups, even Serbs, in the empire. Despite this, the Black Hand, a paramilitary Serbian nationalist group backed by the government, decided they would assasinate him on his trip.
The morning of June 28, the Black Hand stationed six assasins along the motorcade route in Sarajevo. There were six cars waiting, but three police accidently got in the wrong one. The security in Sarajevo was limited due to the Austro-Hungarian government not being popular in the city.
As Franz Ferdinand's car passed Mehmedbašić, the first assasin, he saw how happy Franz Ferdinand and his wife were and decided not to act. Standing next to Mehmedbašić was Vaso Čubrilović, but he also failed to act. The third assasin, Čabrinović, threw a bomb at Ferdinand's car at 10:10 AM, but the bomb bounced off the car and hit the police behind them. Čabrinović then swallowed a cyanide pill to kill himself, but the pill was expired and failed to kill him. Čabrinović was captured by the Austro-Hungarian police. The final assasins, Cvjetko Popović, Gavrilo Princip, and Trifun Grabež, all failed to act the car was driving too fast.
Gavrilo Princip, wanting to be a Serbian hero, was upset that he failed and decided to make himself feel better by going to a nearby sandwich place. While he was eating his sandwich, Franz Ferdinand's car got stuck outside. Princip looked through the shop window and saw the archduke. Princip, thinking he could still be a Serbian hero afterall, quickly rushed out of shop, raised his pistol, and fired. Within the next ten minutes, Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, would be dead.
Directly after Franz Ferdinand's murder, Bosniaks and Croats in Sarajevo would begin to riot. Serbs in the city were attacked. Multiple Serbs' homes were destroyed. After the riots had ended, two Serbs layed dead.
=== July Crisis ===
The days after the assasination, the Austro-Hungarian government sprung into action. With the July Crisis now underway, Austro-Hungarian forces began to push for war with Serbia. On July 4, 1914, the Germans assured Austria-Hungary they would support them if they declared war on Serbia. Kaiser Wilhelm II was against starting a war, but told the Austro-Hungarian leadership to invade Serbia quickly and swiftly while Europe was still sad over the archduke's death. Austria-Hungary kept waiting anyways. On July 7, the leadership of Austria (not Hungary) agreed they would send an ultimatum to Serbia, but still debated what the demands would be. Hungarian leadership opposed war with Serbia and said they should resolve the crisis peacefully. Austria says they won't annex even an inch of Serbian soil if they go to war, Hungary agrees and an ultimatum is drafted. On July 14, the Austro-Hungarian government assured Germany they would send an ultimatum to Serbia, but decided they wouldn't declare any war before July 25. On July 19, the Austro-Hungarian leaders finish drafting an ultimatum and send it on July 23. France announced it would stand with Russia in the event they go to war with Germany or Austria-Hunary on July 20. On July 21, Russia assured Germany they would not attack Austria-Hungary if they invaded Serbia, but still would aid the Serbian war effort with supplies. Kaiser Wilhelm II responds to Tsar Nicholas II by saying they will not retaliate this move or declare war on Serbia, but will still supply the Austro-Hungarian military. The French do not learn about this agreement and send a force to take Erlenbach in Alsace-Lorraine on July 22, causing the Franco-German Border Crisis. On July 23, Serbia recieves the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum. They agreed to nine of the ten demands, telling Austria-Hungary they were willing to negotiate on the one demand they rejected. The same day (July 23), the British minister of international affairs offers to mediate between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, but is ignored. After the Battle of Erlenbach between French and German troops, the German high command began considering military scenarios. From July 24-25, Austria-Hungary and Serbia moblize their armies. Russia protests and prepares to moblize 10,000 troops, but doesn't due to the agreement with Germany. The Russian Empire announces neutrality at 2 AM of July 25. Only July 26, France recieves their first words from Russia about the agreement to prevent war. France then orders their forces to withdraw from Erlenbach followed by a declaration of neutrality. The force in Erlenbach never recieves the withdrawal orders due to the messanger dying of illness while in possession of the orders. Wilhem II, after hearing about the Serbian reply to the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum, decides that nine out of ten demands was good enough and declares neutrality. On July 27, the Austro-Hungarian ambassador to Germany demands Wihlem to reconsider. Wilhelm II agrees to offer humanitarian aid and give supplies to the Austro-Hungarian army, but nothing more. At 11:00 AM of July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Britain declared neutrality the next day. On July 30, Germany begs Austria-Hungary to call off the war and just accept the Serbian offer. Austria-Hungary refuses.
== War ==
=== Opening Shots ===
On July 28, 1914, following the declaration of war, Austro-Hungarian forces began to shell Belgrade. The Third Balkan War has now begun. The Kingdom of Montenegro would declare war on Austria-Hungary in support of Serbia.
=== Serbian Campaign ===
==== Battle of Cer ====
At around 23:00 of August 15, 1914, Austro-Hungarian forces approached Serbian positions at Cer Mountain. The Serbian First Combined Division engaged Austro-Hungarian troops stationed at the slope of Cer. The Austro-Hungarian forces were underequipped and untrained, leading to them retreating. Fierce clashes continued well into midnight between the opposing armies. The Austro-Hungarians had been pushed back to the Divača Range by the morning of August 16. The Austro-Hungarian army then lost the Divača Range to the Serbian forces and retreated to Borino Selo. As August 16 progressed, Austro-Hungarian forces were in retreat. At the first light of August 17, the Serbians attempted to retake Šabac from the Austro-Hungarians but failed. The Austro-Hungarian military made a successful stand against Serbia at Kosanin Grad. The Serbian forces were forced to retreat to Valjevo. The early morning of August 18, the Serbians routed the Austrians at the Dobrava River, forcing their remaining soldiers to withdraw across the river. A mostly Hungarian forces was defeated at Iverak by a smaller Serbian division. Austro-Hungarian forces lost Rašulijača to the Serbians. Small skirmishes would continue around Cer Mountain up until August 23, when Austria-Hungary retreated from the moutain. The Battle of Cer was a Serbian victory.
==== Srem Offensive ====
On August 31, 1914, Serbia began preparing for the Srem Offensive. Due to miscommunication and lack of planning, the Serbian armies set off wrongly on September 5. The Serbian army marched over night in a disorganized manor. The first skirmishing of the offensive with the Austro-Hungarian forces began on September 6. With the Serbian army being disorganized, the Austro-Hungarians went on the attack and completely destroyed a Serbian division. The Serbians retreated and called off the offensive on September 11. The Srem Offensive was an Austro-Hungarian victory.
==== Battle of the Drina ====
Overlapping with the Srem Offensive, Austro-Hungarian forces attacked Serbian possitions on the Drina River on September 7, 1914. The Fifth Army and Sixth Army would launch a combined assault across the river and strike the Serbian Second Army. The Serbian Second Army managed to hold the Fifth Army back, causing the Fifth to retreat back to Bosnia. Meanwhile, the Sixth Army managed to strike the Serbian Third Army. After the Serbian Second Army moved east to reinforce the Serbian Third Army, the Fifth Army came back from Bosnia and joined up with the Sixth Army. The First Army then retreated from it's position to reinforce the Second and Third armies. At Jagodnj, a mountain in Serbia, four brutal days of fighting occured. On September 25, the Sixth Army withdrew after the possiblty of getting flanked by the Serbian forces came to reality. The Austro-Hungarian forces then dug trenches. The first trench warfare of the Third Balkan War would continue October 4, when the battle ended inconclusive. The Battle of the Drina was a stalemate.
==== Battle of Kolubara ====
On November 16, 1914, Austro-Hungarian forces reached the Kolubara River. Throughout the day, they launched massive assaults of Serbian positions and slowly progressed towards Belgrade, the Serbian capital. The Serbs managed to hold the line for five days while frostbite caused deaths on both sides during the winter fighting. Some of the fighting throughout these five days were during blizzard conditions. An Austro-Hungarian force began moving towards Lazarevac, a Serbian town south of Belgrade. The capture of the town allowed the Austro-Hungarian access to the Mladenovac railway lines. This development allowed Austrian forces to outflank and defeat the Serbian First Army. Fierce fighting occured on the Serbians' right flank after miscalculated Austro-Hungarian attack. The Serbian First Army began to retreat and came to reinforce the Serbian left flank. The night of November 18, the Austro-Hungarians charged the Serbian lines and pushed closer to Belgrade. By the evening of November 19, the Austro-Hungarians had secured Vrače Brdo. On November 21, another Austro-Hungarian assault on the Serbian First Army allowed them to slowly inch closer to Belgrade. After further Serbian setbacks, Austro-Hungarian generals predicted they could win the war in a matter of days now. And, on November 29, Belgrade fell to the Austro-Hungarians. Entering December, the Serbians counterattacked and recaptured their capital is minimal fighting on December 15. The Battle of Kolubara was a Serbian victory.
==== Morava Offensive Operation ====
On October 14, 1914, the Tsardom of Bulgaria declared war on the Kingdom of Serbia. After declaring war, Bulgarian troops quickly pushed the Serbians back to the Morava River. The Bulgarian First Army rapidly advanced and engaged into a 27-day-long battle at the river. On November 9, 1915, the Serbians retreated. The Morava Offensive Operation was a Bulgarian victory.
==== Ovche Pole Offensive Operation ====
Correpsonding with the the previous Morava Offensive Operation, Bulgarian forces advanced towards Vranje and Berovo. The Bulgarian Second Army rapidly advanced towards the Vardar River Valley and pinned down Serbian forces. The Bulgarian Third and Seventh Divisions quickly broke the Serbian lines at Kumanovo, causing a Serbian retreat. The Bulgarians also captured Skopje, preventing the Kingdom of Greece from sending supplies to their Serbian brothers as they already had been. Bulgarian forces also managed to defeat two French volunteer divisions in Serbia. The Ovche Pole Offensive Operation was a Bulgarian victory.
==== Kosovo Offensive ====
November 5, the Bulgarian Ninth Divison is successful in capturing a road running south of Niš, an important Serbian city. A German volunteer division aids the Bulgarians, and together they seize Kraljevo. The German-Bulgarian forces now have access to the Ibar River Valley. The Bulgarians rush in pursuit of the Serbs in an attempt to seize Priština. The Bulgarians then seize Niš, a devasting blow to the Serbians. However, a Serbian counterattack causes the Bulgarians to fall back to Leskovac. Despite the victory, the Serbian army retreats towards Priština. The Bulgarian Army finally seizes Niš on November 11, meeting up with German X Volunteer Unit. The combined force then rushed south into Kosovo and pursued the Serbians. The Serbian army retreated to the Jastrebac Mountain, where brutal fighting would begin. The Serbians then lost Kraljevo to the Bulgarians. After weeks of brutal fighting, the Serbians began their retreat on November 22. Serbia had, for the most part, fallen. The Serbian forces would flee into Montenegro and Albania, where they would continue the fight. The Kosovo Offensive was a Central Powers victory.
==== Great Retreat ====
Starting on the 25 of December, 1915, Serbian forces began their retreat to Albania and Montenegro. To retreat in a way the Central Powers couldn't easily catch them, the retreating Serbians split into three columns. On the way, the Serbians executed and killed all their Autro-Hungarian prisoners of war. During their retreat, Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian forces would chase them and kill many of them. By the time the retreat was finished, 77,455 Serbians were dead.
=== Montenegrin Campaign ===
Following the fall of Serbia, Austro-Hungarian forces moved to take on their ally, Montenegro. Several Austro-Hungarian divisions, taking advantage of a Montenegrin retreat into Albania alongside the Serbian's, would move west from Serbia and head towards Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. The first Austro-Hungarian forces entered the country on January 5, 1916, and began to pursue the retreating armies. The Austro-Hungarians moved along the Tara River and defeated a Montenegrin division in combat. Mount Lovcen, a key position in the country, was guarded by a large Montenegrin force. After a raid on Cattaro, an Austro-Hungarian naval base, by the Montenegrins, the Austro-Hungarian army launched a large assault into the country. The quickly swept through the country and took the capital. Montenegro surrendered on January 17.
=== Serbian Resistance ===
Entering 1916, Serbian resistance would continue with a group called the "Chetniks" launching guerrilla campaigns against Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian troops. Fighting continued throughout Serbia with the Chetniks and remnants of the Serbian army continuing to engage the Central Powers' forces. In September, 1916, the Chetniks engaged the Austrians in a skirmish on the outskirts of Belgrade. On February 8, 1917, the Chetniks launched the Toplica Uprising and successfully retook a few Serbian cities from the Central Powers. The Chetniks would destroy several Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian divisions and attempt to take Belgrade. The skirmishes at Belgrade failed for the Chetniks and they retreated back into the Serbian forests and continued a guerrilla war.
=== Albanian Campaign ===
As the Great Retreat came to a close, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian forces chased the fleeing Serbians and Montenegrins into Albania. The Central Powers quickly stormed through Albania with minimum resistance. The Albanian government would flee the country afterwards and go to exile in the Kingdom of Italy and announcing their declaration of war on the Central Powers. Small Albanian resistance would ensue until 1917.
=== Romanian Campaign ===
In August, 1916, the Kingdom of Romania announced it's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary and began it's invasion of Transylvania.
==== Battle of Transylvania ====
On September 17, 1916, Romanian forces began their push into southwest Transylvania with the First Battle of Petrozsény. They engage a German volunteer division on September 18. By September 19, the Germans had defeated the Romanian units and forced them to retreat. The Romanians attack again on September 20 and fight hardly against the German force. Fierce fighting continued on September 21. However, the German force charged the Romanian positions and forced them to retreat. Following this failed attack, the Romanians striked again in the Second Battle of Petrozsény on September 25. They managed to flank an Austro-Hungarian force and then begin the Second Battle of Petrozsény. Austria-Hungary retreated on September 26. Austria-Hungary kept retreating into September 27. On September 28, the Austro-Hungarians turned around to fight but got destroyed. Going back to August 27, the Romanians launched the Nagyszeben Offensive. Throughout the day, Romanian forces charged through the Turnu Roșu Pass and defeated several Austro-Hungarians units. The Nagyszeben Offensive ended on September 2 with a Romanian victory. Back forward to September 26, a German volunteer unit attacked Romanian positions and began the Battle of Nagyszeben. After three days of brutal fighting, the Romanians withdrew in a tactical victory for the Central Powers. The southwestern front for Transylvania had been a Romanian failure.
Despite the failure in southwestern Transylvania, Romania would strike again in southeastern Transylvania. This would come in the form of the Battle of Brassó. The Romanian Ninth Army began their assault on Brassó on October 7, 1916. German artillery from the German Second Volunteer Army would break down the Romanian lines. Harsh fighting continued throughout the day until October 8 came around. On October 8, German and Hungarian soldiers charged and scattered the Romanian units. By the end of the day, it was clear the battle had been lost for Romania. Meanwhile, trench warfare had begun west of the city, but the Romanian trenches had been overrun. Southeastern Transylvania had been another Romanian failure.
In northern Transylvania, the Romanians launched another offensive against Austria-Hungary. The Romanians would charge fragile Hungarian lines and then charge into northern Transylvania. Hungarian forces would attempt to escape the Romanian advance on train, but the train would be destroyed. On September 8, 1916, Romanians pushed in a new offensive and cornered several Hungarian units. The Romanian North Army would cross the Olt River, but be haulted by an Austro-Hungarian force. On September 9, the Austro-Hungarian Seventh Army counterattacked. Fighting began at Gyergyószentmiklós on September 11. On September 13, Romanian forces had defeated the First Landsturm Cavalry Brigade. By the end of the month, a German volunteer force had joined the Austro-Hungarians and prepared to hold the line. The Romanian North Army struck again on September 28 and began to inch forward the following week, coming within six miles of Szászrégen. However, Romania how to move some forces away from Transylvania due to events on the Bulgarian border. The Austro-Hungarians tried to attack the retreating Romanians, but were too exhausted to catch them. The Romanians had begun a large retreat on October 5, abandoning several major towns on October 7. By October 14, the Romanian army had retreated all the way to the border. By October 16, the Central Powers had retaken Kézdivásárhely. The Romanians also lost the Kelemen Mountains to the Austro-Hungarians shortly after. Despite being a defeat for the Romanians territorially, the battle was actually an important Romanian victory as they had successfully retreated and kept their army in tact.
==== Raid on Ruse ====
On August 27, 1916, three Romanian ships sailed to the Bulgarian port of Ruse. At midnight, they torpedoed several Austro-Hungarian naval ships stationed at the port. Karl Lucich, an Austrian naval commander, would fight the Romanian navy but was forced to abandon the port after loosing one of their ships.
==== Flămânda Offensive ====
On September 29, 1916, Romanian forces began their attack on Flămânda, a Bulgarian town. The Romanians advanced quickly and chased several Bulgarian units to the Danube River. At the Danube, the Romanians were halted and fighting began. The Austro-Hungarian navy, which was stationed along the Danube, aided the Bulgarian forces and fired at the Romanians from the river. Two Romanian divisions crossed the river on October 1. The Romanian forces would capture eight Bulgarian towns along the border. The Austro-Hungarian navy, German volunteer forces, and Bulgarian military would then counterattack and drive the Romanians back. By October 4, the Romanians had begun to retreat. Fighting at Flămânda would fully end the next day.
==== Orsova Offensive ====
Starting on August 28, 1916, the Orsova Offensive began with the bombardment of Turnu Severin. Minor fighting would continue around Orsova following the bombardment with some fierce fighting around the area. By September 4, the Austro-Hungarians retreated from Orsova. They only acknowledged this defeat five days later on September 9.
==== Battle of Herkulesfürdő ====
From September 6, 1916 to September 10, 1916, the Central Powers attempted a push into Romania. The Centrals Powers began their offensive on September 6, 1916, and began pushing into Romania. The Romanians sent in reinforcements and counterattacked on September 7, 1916. After three more days of fighting, the Central Powers retreated.
==== Battle of Turtucaia ====
On September 2, 1916, Bulgarian forces crossed the Romanian border. The Bulgarians rushed quickly and cornered a ton of Romanian forts along the border. Bulgarian troops and German volunteers moved swiftly moved and neared closer and closer to Bucharest. The Central Powers pushed 20 km north. The Romanians would be forced to retreat their entire frontline on the Bulgarian border. On September 3, 1916, the Bulgarians kept pushing. The Bulgarians began an all out assault on the Romanians forts and launched a swift attack. Bulgarian forces pushed pass Romanian barbed wire defenses. The Romanian defenses began to collapse. On September 4, 1916, the Bulgarians launched another attack and killed several Romanian troops. On September 5, the Bulgarians began to besiege a major Romanian fortress. The Romanians abandoned it and fled the next day.
==== Battle of Bazargic ====
On September 5, 1916, following the Battle of Turtucaia, Romanian troops moved south and attempted to retake the fort. In Dobruja, Bulgarian forces countered the Romanian offensive and reinforced the fort, clashing with Romanian troops on September 6. The Romanians were forced to retreat the day after.
==== First Battle of Cobadin ====
The First Battle of Cobadin began on September 17, 1916, when Central Powers forces flanked the Romanians on the right and attacked the Romanians. The Romanians counterattacked and forced the Central Powers to retreat.
==== Second Battle of Cobadin ====
The Second Battle of Cobadin, fought from October 19, 1916, to October 25, 1916, was a battle between Romania and the Central Powers. Romania used there Russian-funded 'Dobruja Army' to combat Bulgarian armed forces in the region. The Romanian offensive failed and the Central Powers seized Constanța, an important Romanian port.
==== First Battle of Orsova ====
The First Battle of Orsova, fought from October 1 and October 4, 1916, was a successful Romanian offensive that pushed the Central Powers backed a few miles.
==== Battle of Cinghinarele Island ====
In early October, 1916, Romanian forces opened fire on the Austro-Hungarian Navy stationed at Cinghinarele Island. Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian forces, in response to the attack, countered and forced the Romanians to retreat their naval offensive.
==== Battle of the Southern Carpathians ====
On October 12, 1916, Austro-Hungarian forces began to bombard Romanian positions at Brassó. Following the bombardment, ground fighting began on October 14, 1916. The Central Powers attempted to outflank the west Romanian positions on October 20, 1916, but failed. An entire day of fighting began on October 23, 1916. The Predeal Pass was attacked by Austro-Hungarian forces, but were ultimately pushed back. However, Austria-Hungary attacked again on October 25, 1916, and Predeal. Central Powers forces also attacked Bran Pass, but failed. The Central Powers launched an assault with ~2,000 forces on Olt Pass on October 19, 1916, but were pushed back by the Romanians once more. On October 13, 1916, an Austro-Hungarian assault on the Jiu Valley was repelled by Romanian fighters. On October 23, 1916, the Central Powers launched an attack on Oituz. The assault on Oituz was a success, and Romanian forces were forced to retreat a few miles.
==== Battle of the Eastern Carpathians ====
On October 14, 1916 battling between Romania and Austria-Hungary began at the Uz Pass. Austria-Hungary launched an assault on the Uz Pass, but Romanian positions held strong. By October 29, Austria-Hungary was forced to retreat.
==== Battle of the Olt Valley ====
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==== Second Battle of the Jiu Valley ====
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==== Second Battle of Oituz ====
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==== Battle of Slatina ====
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==== Battle of Bucharest ====
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==== Battle of Mărăști ====
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==== Battle of Mărășești ====
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==== Third Battle of Oituz ====
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==== Battle of Galați ====
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==== Treaty of Buftea ====
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=== National Schism ===
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=== Macedonian Front ===
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=== Austrian Revolution ===
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=== Balkan League Surrenders ===
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== Aftermath ==
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== See Also ==
*Austria-Hungary
*Third Balkan War/Belligerents
*Third Balkan War/Foreign Involvement
* Third Balkan War/Home Front
*Third Balkan War/Politics
Category:War
Category:WIRDJTW