Battle of Kolubara
Kolubara River valley, western Serbia
What happened
The Serbian army under Field Marshal Radomir Putnik, with General Živojin Mišić, fought the Austro-Hungarian army under General Oskar Potiorek. In late 1914 Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia again, and the Serbian army had to give up Belgrade. Heavy autumn rain turned the roads to mud and slowed the invaders' supplies. On 2 December the Serbs launched a surprise counter-attack along the whole front and drove the Austro-Hungarians out of Serbia by mid-December.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a decisive Serbian victory that damaged Austria-Hungary's prestige. Austria-Hungary failed to knock Serbia out of the war.
What came next
Serbian troops re-entered Belgrade on 15 December 1914, and Potiorek was removed from command. In late 1915 a new invasion forced the Serbian army to retreat through Albania.
Did you know?
Putnik joked that his whole strategy was to put 'Serbian national mud' between the enemy and its supplies.
Timeline
- August 1914Serbia wins at Cer.
- 1 December 1914Austro-Hungarian troops enter Belgrade.
- 2 December 1914The Serbian counter-attack begins.
- 15 December 1914Serbian troops re-enter Belgrade.
- 25 November 1915Putnik orders the retreat through Albania.