Serbia's Defense Against Austria-Hungary: Strategies And Outcomes

Serbia's ambition in the Balkans region of Europe threatened Austria-Hungary, which sought to invade Serbia in 1914. Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum, which Serbia accepted, except for one demand. Despite this, Austria-Hungary broke diplomatic relations and prepared for war. Russia's partial mobilisation of its armed forces increased Serbia's willingness to defy the threat of an Austro-Hungarian attack. The Royal Serbian Army was able to defeat the Austro-Hungarians at the Battle of Cer in 1914, liberating Šabac and reaching the banks of the Sava River. However, Serbia exhausted its military capability, losing 100,000 men and dealing with a typhoid epidemic.

The Austro-Hungarian ultimatum

The ultimatum was part of a wider strategy by Austria-Hungary to inflict a military blow on Serbia and demonstrate its own strength, while also dampening Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism, which it saw as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire. Vienna was, however, wary of the reaction of Russia, a major supporter of Serbia. It therefore sought a guarantee from its ally Germany that Berlin would support Austria in any conflict. Germany gave its support, which became known as the "blank cheque", but urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

Despite Serbia's acceptance of most of the demands, Austria-Hungary pressed ahead with military preparedness measures. This included the occupation of Serbia, during which the Austro-Hungarian army carried out massacres and other atrocities against the Serbian population. The Royal Serbian Army was eventually able to liberate its territory and push the Austro-Hungarian forces back across the border, delivering a major defeat to the invading "Balkan Armed Forces" at the Battle of Cer on 24 August. This brought the first Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia to an end and secured the first Allied victory of World War I.

Serbian defiance

Serbia's defiance against Austria-Hungary was demonstrated in its refusal to bow to the latter's demands following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Serbia accepted all but one of Austria's demands, which included suppressing anti-Austrian propaganda and allowing Austria-Hungary to conduct its own investigation into the archduke's killing. Despite this, Austria-Hungary broke off diplomatic relations and prepared for a possible military invasion. Serbia's defiance was further bolstered by the support of Russia, which ordered a partial mobilisation of its armed forces, increasing Serbia's willingness to stand up to the threat of an Austro-Hungarian attack.

The Royal Serbian Army's capture of Zemun and defeat of the Austro-Hungarian invading forces at the Battle of Cer in August 1914 was a significant show of defiance. This defeat wounded the pride of Austria-Hungary's military and civilian leadership and brought an end to the first Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia. However, the Serbian Army exhausted its military capability in the process, losing 100,000 men and facing a typhoid epidemic that further decimated its ranks.

Despite facing countless massacres and systematic violence at the hands of the Austro-Hungarian army, Serbia continued to resist occupation. Austrian historian Anton Holzer described the atrocities committed against Serbian civilians, including mass executions, rape, and torture. It is estimated that 30,000 Serbian civilians were executed during the first year of occupation alone.

In summary, Serbia's defiance against Austria-Hungary was characterised by its refusal to submit to demands, its military victories, and its resilience in the face of brutal occupation.

Russian support

Russia was a major supporter of Serbia, and this made Vienna wary of attacking Serbia. Russia ordered a partial mobilisation of its armed forces, which increased Serbia's willingness to defy the threat of an Austro-Hungarian attack. Russia's military leadership believed that the Austro-Hungarian grievance against Serbia was a pretext orchestrated by Germany, and considered a forceful response to be the best course of action.

The Battle of Cer

The battle took place in the context of rising tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in Sarajevo. On July 23, 1914, Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum, demanding the suppression of anti-Austrian propaganda and the right to conduct its own investigation into the archduke's killing. Although Serbia accepted most of the demands, Austria-Hungary broke diplomatic relations and prepared for a possible military invasion. On July 28, 1914, the Austro-Hungarians fired cannon shots on Belgrade, starting their first offensive against Serbia.

The Serbian victory at the Battle of Cer was made possible by the love for the motherland, unity, and courage of the Serbian soldiers, as well as a brilliant strategic plan by General Stepanovic. This victory shifted the Kingdom of Serbia from strategic defence to counter-offensive and amazed the entire world. It also caused long-term discord and animosity between Serbia and the South Slavs in the Dual Monarchy.

Serbian casualties

The Royal Serbian Army lost 100,000 men in battle against Austria-Hungary, and was forced to deal with a typhoid epidemic that further decimated the army and civilian population. The Austro-Hungarian army carried out "countless and systematic massacres…against the Serbian population", according to Austrian historian Anton Holzer. Soldiers invaded villages and rounded up unarmed men, women and children. They were either shot, bayoneted, hanged, locked into barns and burned alive, or sent up to the front lines and mass-raped. 30,000 Serbian civilians were executed during the first year of occupation alone.

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