Nelson's history of the war. Vol. XI., The struggle for the Dvina, and the great invasion of Serbia

THE OVERRUNNING OF SERBIA. 133

nitza. The Bulgarian attack had five main objectives. The extreme right was directed across the Timok to enable von Gallwitz to clear the Danube. The right centre moved on Zaichar and Timok, and was intended to follow the branch line to Parachin, on the Constantinople railway. The centre advanced on Pirot and Nish. The left centre moved from Kustendil against Vrania and Uskubthe most vital points in the Serbian communications. On the extreme left there was an advance from Strumnitza to cut the railway in the Vardar valley, the point at which during the past year Bulgarian bands on at least two occasions had made attempts on the line. The Bulgarian left and left centre had also the task of opposing any movement of the Allies from Salonika.

A plan which involved at least nine converging lines of attack demanded a very great numerical superiority and an enemy incapable of a dangerous offensive. These conditions were, unfortunately, realized. General Putnik, the old Serbian fieldmarshal, could muster less than half the strength of his enemy. The poverty of Serbia’s communications prevented him following the natural strategy of a defence on interior lines, and striking at one or more of the widely separated invaders. He was compelled to remain rigidly on the defensive, and on a partial defensive. His main forces were strung along the river front in the north—thin in the centre, where Belgrade was held by less than two divisions, but stronger on the wings, where a turning movement was feared. Mishitch commanded the 1st Army, as he had done in the December Battle of the Ridges, and held the angle of the Save and the