Serbia's Triumph: Defending Against Austria-Hungary

In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, seeking to demonstrate its strength and suppress Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism. Austria-Hungary was wary of Russia's reaction, as Russia was a major supporter of Serbia. However, Austria-Hungary secured the support of its powerful ally, Germany, which promised full support for a severe response against Serbia. Despite this, Serbia was able to successfully defend itself against Austria-Hungary, and the focus of this article is to understand how it achieved this feat.

The Serbian army's winter retreat over the mountains of Albania and Montenegro

The conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary had been brewing for some time, with Austria-Hungary seeking to demonstrate its strength and suppress Serbian support for Yugoslav nationalism, which it viewed as a threat to its multi-national empire. Austria-Hungary, with the support of Germany, presented Serbia with an ultimatum in July 1914, demanding the suppression of anti-Austrian propaganda and the right to conduct an investigation into the archduke's killing. Despite Serbia accepting all but one of the demands, Austria-Hungary broke diplomatic relations and prepared for military action.

Recognising the threat posed by Serbia's ambition in the Balkans region, Austria-Hungary sought to inflict a military blow. However, they were aware of the potential involvement of Russia, a major supporter of Serbia. With Germany's guarantee of support, Austria-Hungary ultimately decided to attack, leading to the Serbian army's winter retreat and subsequent reorganisation in Greece.

The Serbian government's evacuation to the Greek island of Corfu

Although Austria-Hungary did succeed in conquering Serbia, the Serbian government was able to evacuate to the Greek island of Corfu. This evacuation was part of a strategic winter retreat by the Royal Serbian Army, which also saw the evacuation of around 140,000 Serbian soldiers and hundreds of thousands of civilians. The Serbian royal family also fled to Corfu.

The Serbian government's evacuation to Corfu was the result of a series of events that began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbian nationalists for the assassination and sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia. Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia suppress all anti-Austrian propaganda and allow Austria-Hungary to conduct its own investigation into the archduke's killing. Although Serbia accepted all of Austria-Hungary's demands except for one, diplomatic relations were broken off and Austria-Hungary, with the support of Germany, prepared for a possible military invasion.

On 5 July 1914, Germany promised Austria-Hungary full support for a severe response against Serbia. Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a harsh ultimatum on 23 July, and when Serbia did not comply, Austria-Hungary broke off diplomatic relations and began military preparedness measures.

The invasion of Serbia by Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Bulgaria was ultimately successful, but the Royal Serbian Army was able to retreat over the mountains of Albania and Montenegro towards the Adriatic coast, where they were evacuated to Corfu along with the Serbian government, royal family, and civilians. In Greece, the Royal Serbian Army was reorganised and repurposed to combat Bulgarian and German troops on the Salonica front.

Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia

The ultimatum was part of a plan developed in coordination with the German foreign office to force a military conflict that would end quickly and decisively with an Austrian victory before the rest of Europe, namely Serbia's powerful ally Russia, had time to react. Germany had promised Austria full support for a severe response against Serbia, and this support came to be known as the "blank cheque". However, Germany urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

On receipt of the ultimatum, Serbia appealed to Russia, whose council of ministers met on 24 July to determine a course of action. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Sazonov believed that Germany was using the crisis over the archduke's death as a pretext for starting a preventive war to defend its interests in the region. Defying Austro-German expectations, the council agreed to order four military districts to prepare for mobilisation. In Belgrade on 25 July, convinced that Austria-Hungary was preparing for a fight, Serbian Prime Minister Nicola Pasic ordered the Serbian army to mobilise.

Although Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Germany would succeed in conquering Serbia, the Royal Serbian Army's winter retreat over the mountains of Albania and Montenegro towards the Adriatic coast deprived the Central Powers of a decisive victory. Around 140,000 Serbian soldiers and hundreds of thousands of civilians were evacuated to the Greek island of Corfu, including the entire Serbian government and the Serbian royal family. The Royal Serbian Army retrenched itself in Greece, where it was reorganised and repurposed to combat Bulgarian and German troops on the Salonica front.

Germany's support of Austria-Hungary

Germany supported Austria-Hungary in its conflict with Serbia, which began in 1914. Germany promised Austria-Hungary its full support for a severe response against Serbia, which was seen as a threat to the unity of its multi-national empire. Germany's support came in the form of a "blank cheque", which guaranteed military assistance. This allowed Austria-Hungary to successfully conquer Serbia within six weeks, along with Bulgaria. However, the Royal Serbian Army was able to retreat over the mountains of Albania and Montenegro towards the Adriatic coast, depriving the Central Powers of a decisive victory.

Russia's protection of Serbia

Russia was a major supporter of Serbia, which saw itself as Serbia's protector. Austria-Hungary was aware that any conflict with Serbia would likely involve Russia, so it sought support from its ally, Germany. On 5 July, Germany promised Austria full support for a severe response against Serbia. This support was later referred to as a "blank cheque". However, Germany urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly to localise the war and avoid drawing in Russia.

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