My War Memories, 1914-1918
operations against the Rumanian armies in Transylvania made further progress. Later events proved how dangerous this crossing was. General von Conrad accepted the altered plans reluctantly, the Bulgarians very readily, for the Dobrudja was calling. Enver of course agreed.
Field-Marshal von Mackensen received instructions accordingly. While the situation on the northern Rumanian Front was still particularly uncertain and looked dangerous, we attacked in the Dobrudja.
Ill
The bulk of the Bulgarian Army was on the Greek frontier. They were stiffened by German staffs, about one German division, and other German troops, particularly artillery and machine-gun, telephone and flying units. Further, Bulgaria received from us, and in a considerably less degree from Austria-Hungary, money and plenty of war material. The Bulgarian railways were far from efficient. We had to take drastic steps to improve their working condition.
The Entente had conveyed to Salonika the reorganized Serbian Army, as well as forces of their own, but had remained inactive. General Sarrail had been appointed Commander-in-Chief and marked his entry into office by laying a strong hand on Greece and forming units of Venizelist troops. In Albania Austro-Hun-garian forces had been stationed since the spring west of Lake Ochrida, south of Berat, and on the lower Vojusa. The Italians had occupied Valona, and extended their bridge-head into northern Epirus, which had been annexed by Greece.
However, the Entente front between the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean was not yet continuous. We were in touch with Greece by the very difficult Koritza route, but this was of no value. Greece was so firmly in the grip of the Entente, and so dependent on them for her very existence, that no one could seriously think it possible to win her over to us.
The Bulgarian Army, and Bulgaria herself, were willing to
250