The Balkan Wars, a pivotal period in the early 20th century, saw the Balkan League - comprising Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, and Montenegro - united against the Ottoman Empire with the goal of expelling it from its European territories. This alliance aimed to liberate and claim lands that were under Ottoman control, and the strategic movements of their armies were crucial to their initial successes.
The Bulgarian army, the largest contingent of the Balkan League, mobilized three armies directed towards Istanbul to form the main attack group. Serbia's forces, also consisting of three armies, were tasked with engaging the Ottoman forces in Macedonia. Greece contributed significantly with the Fasalia Army and the Epirus Army prepared to confront the Ottoman forces stationed in Thessaloniki and Yanina, respectively. Moreover, the Greek navy was poised to challenge the Ottoman navy, seeking to assert control over the Mediterranean and secure the sea routes for the Balkan League. Montenegro's role was to support the Serbian army by coordinating their efforts in Macedonia.
The Balkan League's strategy focused on encircling the Ottoman forces in Europe, aiming to defeat them before any reinforcements could arrive from Asia. At the onset of the conflict, the league had mobilized a formidable force of nearly 700,000 troops: Bulgaria contributed 300,000, Serbia 220,000, Greece 120,000, and Montenegro 35,000. In contrast, the Ottoman Empire had around 350,000 troops stationed in its European territories. The numerical superiority of the Balkan League allowed them to adopt a strategy of rapid advancement and encirclement, aiming to prevent the Ottomans from effectively regrouping or receiving reinforcements.
The first major confrontation occurred near Kumanovo in northern Macedonia. On October 19, the Serbian 1st Army crossed the border and advanced southward into Ottoman territory, with the Serbian Cavalry Division protecting its left flank. The Ottoman forces, under the command of General Zeki Pasha, were unexpectedly well-prepared for the Serbian advance, having fortified their position around Kumanovo.
General Putnik, the Serbian Chief of Staff and a seasoned military leader born in Kragujevac, was the mastermind behind the Serbian military operations. Educated at the Serbian Artillery Academy and having served in various Balkan conflicts, Putnik had a reputation for his strategic acumen. Under his leadership, the Serbian army had modernized, focusing on improving its operational capabilities and morale.
As the Serbian 1st Army, consisting of 110,000 troops, approached Kumanovo, they encountered the entrenched forces of Zeki Pasha's Varda Army, which included multiple Ottoman army divisions totaling approximately 58,000 troops. Despite being outnumbered, the Ottomans were strategically positioned to leverage their defensive setups.
Upon receiving reports of the encounter, General Putnik ordered an immediate consolidation of Serbian forces around Kumanovo and coordinated with the Bulgarian 2nd Army and the Serbian 3rd Army to encircle the Ottomans. His plan was to engage the Ottoman forces directly, cut off their potential retreat, and crush them in a decisive battle.
Meanwhile, at the frontline, the Serbian 4th Division found itself under heavy attack. The division commander, Major General Milosevic, faced significant challenges as his units were bombarded by Ottoman artillery. Communications were disrupted, and the engineering units struggled to maintain operational lines under continuous fire.
In the midst of the chaos, a young Serbian soldier named Porosnillo, hailing from a well-to-do family and recently enlisted, experienced the harsh realities of war. Amidst the fierce fighting and shelling, he and his comrades held their positions against successive Ottoman assaults. Despite the adversity, the resolve of the Serbian troops remained unbroken, bolstered by timely reinforcements and strategic directives from their commanders.
As the battle raged on, Zeki Pasha realized the precariousness of his situation. Despite initial successes in holding the Serbian advance, the overwhelming force of the Balkan League and their coordinated movements began to tilt the battle in favor of the Serbians. The Ottoman forces, suffering from attrition and diminishing morale, found themselves increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
In a desperate bid to turn the tide, Zeki Pasha ordered his reserves into the fray, but the lack of training and coordination among these units only compounded the challenges faced by the Ottomans. As the Serbian artillery gained supremacy and the infantry pressed forward, the Ottoman defenses began to crumble.
The Battle of Kumanovo, marked by intense fighting and significant casualties on both sides, ultimately resulted in a strategic victory for the Serbian forces. The Ottomans were forced to retreat, leaving the Serbians in control of northern Macedonia. This victory significantly altered the balance of power in the region, setting the stage for further advances by the Balkan League and reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Balkans.
As the dust settled, the aftermath of the battle left both armies counting their losses and reassessing their strategies. For the Balkan League, the victory at Kumanovo was a testament to their unity and military prowess. For the Ottoman Empire, it was a stark reminder of the challenges posed by the rising nationalism and military capabilities of the Balkan states. The war continued, with each side seeking to leverage their strengths in a conflict that would ultimately reshape the borders and futures of the nations involved.
Sitting behind his desk, Crown Prince Edel examined the telegram in his hand, discussing its contents with his chief guard, Carust. "The Serbian army has shown commendable performance," Edel remarked, prompting a nod of agreement from Carust. The discussion then shifted to another Balkan player. "I wonder what Bulgaria will achieve by the end of this conflict," Edel mused aloud.
"It should become clear soon," Carust replied. "Our military observation group has followed the Bulgarian forces into Ottoman territory."
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," Edel called out. A guard dressed in white entered, saluted both the crown prince and the chief guard, and announced, "Mr. Baslob, the German ambassador, requests an audience."
Edel was not surprised by this request. Since Romania's declaration of war against the Ottoman Empire, he had anticipated a visit from the German ambassador. It had taken four days for Baslob to appear, which gave Edel ample time to prepare. "Invite him in," he instructed the guard.
Carust discreetly exited the room with the guard, leaving Edel to face the ambassador alone. Ambassador Baslob entered, his demeanor reflecting the strain of recent years. The shifting political landscape in Romania towards neutrality had drawn criticism from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing Baslob of poor diplomatic performance. Only internal support within the government had prevented his recall.
"Good day, Your Highness," Baslob greeted, bowing slightly.
"What brings you here, Mr. Ambassador?" Edel inquired, getting straight to the point.
"Your Highness, the German government is deeply concerned about the ongoing Balkan conflict. The war has already caused significant civilian casualties and displacement. May I inquire about Romania's position in this matter?" Baslob began, outlining the German stance which was heavily influenced by their interests in the Ottoman Empire, including military reorganization and construction projects like the Baghdad Railway.
In response to the ambassador's question, Edel articulated a carefully prepared statement. "Mr. Ambassador, Romania can only express regret concerning this war," he began, ensuring his words conveyed a neutral stance. He continued, "You are aware, of course, that our involvement is solely due to alliance obligations. We have no interest in military mobilization and hope you will relay this to your government. Romania's relationship with the Ottoman Empire could best be described as a 'cold war.'"
Baslob visibly relaxed, relieved by Edel's assurances. His primary mission was to gauge Romania's intentions and, if necessary, dissuade any aggressive actions. The ambassador thanked Edel for Romania's restraint, which he considered beneficial for the war-stricken populace, though his gratitude carried an undercurrent of diplomatic formality.
After some further small talk, Baslob took his leave. Edel sighed in relief once the ambassador had departed. Maintaining a non-confrontational stance with Germany was crucial, especially as Romania's industrialization efforts were still nascent and dependent on German support.
Just as Edel was about to take a moment for himself, another guard entered with a new announcement. "His Royal Highness, Prime Minister Bretianu requests an audience."
Anticipating the purpose of Bretianu's visit, Edel braced himself and instructed, "Please, let the Prime Minister in."
Prime Minister Bretianu entered with a vigor that seemed fueled by his political power. After customary greetings, he launched into the topic at hand. "Your Highness, our transportation department has analyzed the impact of the war on our economy through our railway capabilities, and it appears the effect will be manageable in the short term."
Intrigued, Edel urged him to elaborate. The prime minister detailed the current status of Romania's railway system, including the number of locomotives and carriages available for both passenger and cargo services. He explained that despite the increased demand, the railways could maintain three outbound freight trains per hour to Western and Central Europe, although this would necessitate a full-load operational state and could only be sustained for three months without comprehensive maintenance.
Edel, concerned yet pragmatic, discussed potential strategies to extend the railways' operational capacity without compromising their functionality. He expressed his gratitude for the detailed analysis and pledged to collaborate closely with the transportation department to ensure sustainability.
After the meeting, Edel escorted the prime minister out, his mind heavy with the responsibilities of his station. Alone in his office, he could only hope for a swift resolution to the Balkan conflict, aware that Bulgaria's actions, particularly in the Thracian region, would play a critical role in the unfolding events.