The Entente Offensive, Autumn, 1916
The situation on the Macedonian Front, too, was not to develop in our favour. Rear communications with the Macedonian plain and the mountains on both sides of the river Cerna were still far from complete; there was too much leeway to be made up. The German Army Command had but little prospect of establishing the Bulgarian Army firmly in the position from which they started. At an early stage it began the construction of a rear position north of Monastir, across the plain and over the wild and rugged mountains on both sides of the Cerna.
In the middle of October the Entente succeeded in crossing the river near Brod in capturing key positions in the mountains. This caused the staff of the nth Army to move their line further back towards Monastir. When, about the middle of November, the Entente renewed their attacks, the Bulgarian Army gave ground again and again, and had to withdraw fighting to the position north of Monastir.
On the i8th the town was occupied by the Serbs. The Bulgarian Army had been considerably shaken, and we were obliged to make up our minds to bring up to the Macedonian mountains the three or four Jager battalions which were really intended for Orsova. There could now no longer be any question of taking further Bulgarian troops from this front for the campaign against Rumania. As an immediate effect of our invasion of Wallachia at the end of November and beginning of December, the Entente began heavy relief attacks on our new positions, which we held, however, in fierce fighting. By throwing in our last ounce of strength we victoriously beat of£ further attacks in the second half of December. Communications improved and supply got better. The position on the Macedonian front again became more stable; unfortunately not without our employing some, even though only a few, German battalions, whose absence from Rumania was of course sorely felt.
By the occupation of the Piraeus and Athens in October, the Entente had in the meantime gained control of Greece and her railways. They promoted the formation on a larger scale of contingents of Venizelist troops. Wherever the Entente went
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