Battle of Monastir
Bitola (Monastir), North Macedonia
What happened
The Serbian army advanced south toward Monastir, the town now called Bitola, and met heavy Ottoman artillery fire. It waited for its own guns to arrive. On 18 November Serbian artillery silenced the Ottoman guns and the Serbian right broke through, and Serbian troops entered the town on 19 November.
Why it matters
With Bitola taken, Serbia controlled southwestern Macedonia, including the town of Ohrid. According to some accounts, it ended five centuries of Ottoman rule in Macedonia.
What came next
The rest of the Ottoman Vardar Army retreated into central Albania. Serbian leaders chose not to push on to Thessaloniki, which Greek and Bulgarian forces already held.
Did you know?
Serbian gunners hauled four long-range guns up a mountain and moved them closer to the Ottoman lines each night.
Timeline
- 17 Oct 1912The Balkan League declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
- 16 Nov 1912The battle begins.
- 19 Nov 1912Serbian troops enter Bitola.
- 30 May 1913Treaty of London.