Battle of Belgrade

Serbian Forces, 300,000
Field Marshal Putnik, Commander
General Zirkovitch
General Goykovitch
General Mishitch
General Jourishitch
General Stepanovitch
Salonika Army, 150,000
General Sarrail, Commander

Austro-German-Bulgarian Forces, 600,000

General Mackensen, Commander
Austrian Army — General Koevess
German Army — General Gallwitz
Bulgarian Army — General Boyadjieff
General Teoiloroff

With Russia rendered impotent in the autumn of 1915, Germany fulfilled her threat to punish little Serbia for the two defeats inflicted on Austria. The task was assigned to General Mackensen, the victor in the battle of the Dunajec, who, with a force of 300,000 Austrians and Germans, was to co-operate with a Bulgarian Army of 300,000, now secretly preparing for war.

Opposing this army of 600,000, the Serbians at most could put 300,000 soldiers into the field. Their hopes lay in the promised support of an Allied Army, 150,000 strong, under the command of General Sarrail, which was assembling at Salonika. Treachery of Bulgaria and Greece King Ferdinand of Bulgaria, a German carpet-bag prince, who had gained the throne a few years before, was secretly pledged to assist the Teutonic Allies. The sympathies of the Bulgarian people, however, were wholly with Russia and against the Teutonic Allies.

The sympathies of the Greek nation also were with the Allies. Indeed, Greece was bound by treaty to assist Serbia if she was attacked by Bulgaria. But the influence of King Constantine's wife, a sister of Emperor William of Germany, had been exerted against Russia and Serbia. Foreseeing the treachery of Bulgaria, Premier Venizelos of Greece had requested the Allies to send an army of 150,000 troops to Salonika in aid of Serbia if attacked. France and England consenting, the mobilization of an army was begun on September 24, 1915.

King Constantine's German wife then persuaded the King to compel Premier Venizelos' resignation and appoint a cat's-paw, M. Zaimis, ...