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

148 HISTORY OF THE WAR.

was over. They had fought most gallantly a losing

fight, in which they never for one moment could

hope to succeed. They had lost greatly in guns and men, and it is not likely that more than 150,000 weary and famished warriors sought the shelter of the highlands. It was an army still in being, but only a shadow of that heroic force which had flung the Austrians a year ago across the Danube. Before the middle of November the paths which climb from the upper glens of the Vardar, the Morava, and the Ibar were littered with the bullock-carts of the transport and plodding soldiers, who halted now and then to take a last look behind them at their hills of home.

The landing of the Allies at Salonika, which began on sth October, was completed in three days, Oct largely by the assistance of M. DiamaniS: tidis, the Greek Minister of Transport, whose co-operation was the last administrative act of M. Venizelos’s Government. The French 2nd Division from Cape Helles arrived first, and encamped a mile and a half from the town. Then came the British, Sir Bryan Mahon’s 10th Division from Suvla. General Sarrail arrived on the 12th; but Oct aa BE this time the command at Salonika " °7" was not unified, the British and French forces being under their own generals. The French were the first-comers, and, apparently, the most ready for the field, so without delay they were moved up country. The aim of General Sarrail was to make contact with the Serbian force in the Uskub neighbourhood before the Bulgarians completely out-

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