Battles & Campaigns · 1912
Battle of Kumanovo
North of Kumanovo, North Macedonia
What happened
The Serbian army under Radomir Putnik and Prince Alexander fought the Ottoman Vardar Army under Zeki Pasha. In the First Balkan War, Serbia fought the Ottoman Empire.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a decisive factor in the war in the region and ended Ottoman rule in Vardar Macedonia. The Ottoman army could not be reinforced because its supply routes from Anatolia were cut.
What came next
Serbian troops entered Skopje on 26 October 1912. Other Serbian armies moved on through Kosovo and Albania toward the Adriatic.
Did you know?
After the battle the Serbian command wrongly thought it had beaten only weaker Ottoman units, so it missed the chance to pursue the retreating army.
Timeline
- October 1912The First Balkan War begins.
- 23-24 October 1912Serbia wins at Kumanovo.
- 26 October 1912Serbian troops enter Skopje.