Battle of Kumanovo

1912 battle of the First Balkan War

Battle of Kumanovo

Part of the First Balkan War

First Balkan War. The Serbian Front (Serbia) The march of the armies before the battle of Kumanovo.
| Date| 23–24 October 1912

|

Location|

Kumanovo district, Sanjak of Üsküp, Kosovo Vilayet, Ottoman Empire
(now Kumanovo, North Macedonia)

Result|  Serbian victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Serbia|  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Radomir Putnik
Prince Alexander
Stepa Stepanović
Božidar Janković
Ahmed Ademović|  Halepli Zeki Pasha
(Vardar Army)
Fethi Pasha
(VII Corps)
Units involved
First Army
Second Army
Third Army|  V Corps
VI Corps
VII Corps
Strength
132,000 men
148 artillery pieces
100 machine guns
[1]|  65,000 men
164 artillery pieces
104 machine guns
[1]
Casualties and losses
687 killed
3,280 wounded
597 missing
[2]

Total: 4,564[a]|  1,200 killed
3,000 wounded
327 captured
98 artillery pieces lost
[2][b]
Total: 4,500[c]

3,000 people were massacred by the Serbian army between Kumanovo and Uskub[4][5]

* v
* t
* e

First Balkan War

Bulgarian Front

* Kardzhali
* Kirk Kilisse
* Lule Burgas
* Merhamli
* Kaliakra
* 1st Çatalca
* Bulair
* Şarköy
* Adrianople
* 2nd Çatalca

Serbian and Montenegrin front

* Kumanovo
* Lumë
* Prilep
* Monastir
* Scutari

Greek front

* Lemnos Island
* Sarantaporo
* Yenidje
* Pente Pigadia
* Sorovich
* Himara
* Lesbos
* Chios
* Driskos
* Elli
* Korytsa
* Lemnos
* Bizani

The Battle of Kumanovo (Serbian: Кумановска битка / Kumanovska bitka, Turkish: Kumanova Muharebesi), on 23–24 October 1912, was a major battle of the First Balkan War. It was an important Serbian victory over the Ottoman army in the Kosovo Vilayet, shortly after the outbreak of the war. After this defeat, the Ottoman army abandoned the major part of the region, suffering heavy losses in manpower (mostly due to desertions) and in war materiel.[6]

## Background

[edit]

The objective of the Royal Serbian Army plan was to destroy the Ottoman army in a decisive battle before the Ottomans could complete the mobilisation and concentration of forces. The Serbian planners assumed that the main Ottoman force would be deployed defensively in the valley of Vardar and on the strategically important plateau of Ovče Pole. The Serbian Commander-in-Chief was General Radomir Putnik. The aim was to double envelop the Ottoman army by using three armies:[7]

* First Army, under Crown Prince Alexander, composed of five infantry and one cavalry division (132,000 men), was deployed in the area around Vranje, with the task to attack the enemy frontally.[7]
* Second Army, under Stepa Stepanović, composed of one Serbian and one Bulgarian division (74,000 men), deployed in the area around Kyustendil, was assigned to the easternmost attack, with the objective of attacking the right flank of the enemy.[7]
* Third Army, under Božidar Janković, composed of four infantry divisions and one infantry brigade (76,000 men), deployed in two groups, the first one at Toplica and the second one at Medveđa, was assigned to the westernmost attack, with the task to take Kosovo and then move south to attack the left flank of the enemy.[7]
* Smaller units were sent to take Sandžak.[7]

According to the initial Ottoman plan, created by Colmar Freiherr von der Goltz, the Ottoman forces in Macedonia would stay in defense and, if necessary, retreat to Albania. The decisive battle would take place in Thrace, versus the Bulgarian army. However, Nazim Pasha, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Ottoman army, decided to surprise the Serbs by taking an offensive in Macedonia. The plan also included the offensive in Thrace. His goal was to win the initial battles against the surprised allies, hoping that the Great powers would then intervene and stop the war.[citation needed]

The Ottoman mobilisation in Macedonia was slow, and the Ottoman Vardar Army, led by Zeki Pasha, had little more than a half of its manpower mobilised when the war started. The army was composed of:

* V Corps, under Said Pasha, composed of 4 divisions (32,000 men), deployed in the area around Štip.
* VI Corps, under Cavit Pasha, composed of two divisions (6,000 men), deployed in the area around Veles.
* VII Corps, under Fethi Pasha, composed of three divisions (19,000 men), deployed in the area around Kumanovo.
* Smaller units in Kosovo.[8]

## Prelude

[edit]

Hospital near the village Tabanovce, during the battle of Kumanovo, 1912.

Even before the war was declared, border skirmishes occurred. On the 15 October, the front of the Toplica group of the Third Army, Serbian chetniks, acting on their own, attacked the Ottoman forces; although the Serbian deployment had not been completed yet. The Ottomans counterattacked, but they were stopped by the Morava Division II. The fighting on the border lasted until 19 October when the Ottomans were forced to retreat. On 21 October the entire Third Army began its advance and on 22 October, without serious resistance, entered Pristina.[9]

On 18 October, Bulgarian 7th Rila Infantry Division of the Second Army started its advance towards Gorna Dzhumaya, while the rest of the army advanced towards the village of Stracin and captured it on 21 October.[10]

The First Army crossed the border on 20 October and in the evening of 22 October reached the outskirts of Kumanovo.[11]

At the other side, as soon as his forces were deployed, Zeki Pasha decided to take the offensive towards Kumanovo. In the evening of 22 October, Vardar Army gathered in the valley of Pčinja River. While Zeki Pasha had the precise information about the strength and disposal of the Serbian forces, the Serbian command did not realise that the battle with the main Ottoman force would start the very next morning.[12] Not expecting the attack, Serbs did not fortify their positions, which were topographically strong. Still, only two out of five infantry divisions were deployed in the front echelon – Danube Division I on the left wing, with the Cavalry Division behind it, and Morava Division I on the right wing. The left flank was particularly vulnerable, because Srtevica, the important topographic object, was defended by local irregulars.[1]

During the night of 22–23 October, VI Corps 17th Infantry Division and Monastir Infantry Division crossed Pčinja and took the position in the Ottoman centre, on the hill of Zebrnjak. The main forces of V Corps 13th Infantry Division and Štip Infantry Division remained on the left bank of Pčinja, forming the right of the Ottoman's which was acting as a reserve and protecting the route from Stracin, while the main forces of VII Corps 19th Infantry Division and Üsküb Infantry Division were on the left side.[1]

## Battle

[edit]

### 23 October

[edit]

Map of the battle on 23 October

The morning of 23 October was foggy, and reconnaissance could not be performed properly. On the Serbian left flank, the observers noticed the troops of 17th Infantry Division in movement, but mistook them for the Ottoman battery withdrawing from Stracin. Troops of the 18th regiment of Danube Division I, which moved forward to capture it, were pushed back, as well as the reconnaissance forces of Cavalry Division.[13]

Observing the retreat of these Serbian units, Zeki Pasha concluded that the Serbian left wing was weak. Since there were no actions of the Second Army from Stracin, he decided to attack.[14] Around 11:00, with artillery support, V and VI Corps attacked the positions of Danube Division I. Soon, 13th and 17th Infantry Division forced the 18th regiment to retreat in disorder, but, instead of continuing the attack, Zeki Pasha waited for the arrival of Štip Infantry Division from the rear to use this division to attack the Serbian flank and rear.[15] That enabled the Serbian 7th regiment to aid the wavering 18th regiment and to consolidate a defense. Soon after that, the Serbian 8th regiment arrived, and 7th regiment was able to move to the left flank and reinforce the defense of Srtevica, which was endangered by an attack by the Štip Infantry Division.[16] On the right flank of Danube Division I, its 9th regiment halted the advance of the weakened Monastir Infantry Division.[17]

Around 12:00, VII Corps started its attack on the positions held by Morava Division I. However, Serbian infantry and artillery were already deployed for combat, as the artillery fire from the east suggested that the battle had started.[18] After the initial Ottoman progress, Serbs counterattacked and pushed them back to their starting positions. After the Serbian counterattack, Ottoman units were kept at bay by the well organised Serbian artillery fire until the end of day.[18]

The Serbian rear echelon divisions (Danube Division II on the left, Drina Division I in the centre and Timok Division II on the right) and the army artillery were not informed about the combat operations. They remained in the rear, without participating in the first day of the battle. The First Army command did not receive precise information about the battle and did not have any influence on the actual combat. Despite these facts, the Ottoman attack of the 23 October was not successful, mostly thanks to "the high devotion of (Serbian) troops and lower officers".[19]

### 24 October

[edit]

Map of the battle on 24 October The staff of 1\. Armija. On the left side is the army commander, Crown Prince Alexander, the army chief of staff, Colonel Petar Bojović, is sitting next to him.

Uninformed about the situation in the field, the First Army command did not realise that the attack of the main Ottoman forces had occurred, as those forces were expected on Ovče Pole. Assuming that the Ottoman units north of Kumanovo were merely forward detachments, it ordered the troops to continue their advance towards south, as previously planned. After midnight, it received a report from Danube Division I which stated that the division was attacked by the strong enemy forces and suffered heavy casualties, but at that moment it was too late for any change of orders.[19]

On the other side, Zeki Pasha decided to continue the attack with the hope that his forces would be able to achieve victory on the following day.[19]

The Ottoman attack on their right wing started around 5:30. VI Corps was assigned to tie up as many enemy forces as possible by attacking from the front, while Štip Infantry Division was again assigned to flank attack. Danube Division I again had to withstand heavy pressure, but around 10:00 parts of Danube Division II arrived from the rear and strengthened the defense. At the same time, Cavalry Division moved to the left bank of Pčinja and slowed the advance of Ottoman forces towards Srtevica. Around 12:00, parts of Danube Division II reinforced the defense of Srtevica, definitely stopping the advance of the Ottoman right wing.[20]

On the left Ottoman wing, a lot of reservists from Üsküb Infantry Division had deserted during the night, upon hearing that the Third Army had captured Pristina and that it was marching towards Skopje.[21] Still, at 5:30, VII Corps started the attack. However, Morava Division I counterattacked at 6:00 and with the arrival of Timok Division II from the rear they forced the entire Ottoman left wing to retreat.[22]

Around 9:30, Drina Division II from the rear echelon of the First Army arrived to the front and attacked the Ottoman centre. Around 11:00, Monastir Infantry Division started to retreat. The commander of VI Corps managed to temporarily halt the Serbian advance by using his last reserves, but in the repeated attack around 13:00, Drina Division I captured Zebrnjak, the main object in Ottoman defense, and forced 17th Infantry Division to retreat. With Üsküb Infantry Division and Monastir Infantry Division already retreating, the battle was resolved. At 15:00, Morava Division I entered Kumanovo.[23]

Ottoman forces retreated in disorder: VII and parts of VI Corps towards Skopje and V and parts of VI Corps towards Štip and Veles. Serbian troops missed the chance to pursue them.[2]

## Aftermath

[edit]

The Ottoman Vardar Army fought the battle according to plan, but despite this, suffered a heavy defeat. Although Zeki Pasha operationally surprised the Serbian command by his sudden attack, the decision to act offensively against the superior enemy was a grave error which determined the outcome of Battle of Kumanovo.[2] On the other side, the Serbian command started the battle without plans and preparations, and missed the chance to pursue the defeated enemy and effectively end the operations in the region, although it had the fresh troops of the rear echelon available for such action. Even after the end of battle, the Serbs still believed that it was fought against weaker Ottoman units and that main enemy forces were on Ovče Pole.[2] [d]

Nevertheless, the Battle of Kumanovo was a decisive factor in the outcome of the war in the region. The Ottoman plan for an offensive war had failed, and the Vardar Army was forced to abandon much territory and lost a significant number of artillery pieces without the possibility to reinforce, because the supply routes from Anatolia were cut.[2]

The Vardar Army was not able to organise the defense on Vardar River and was forced to abandon Skopje, retreating all the way to Prilep. The First Army advanced slowly and entered Skopje on 26 October. Two days later, it was strengthened by Morava Division II, while the rest of the Third Army was sent to Western Kosovo and then through northern Albania to the Adriatic coast. The Second Army was sent to aid the Bulgarians in the Siege of Adrianople, while the First Army was preparing for an offense towards Prilep and Bitola.[25]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Erickson argues that Serbian casualties may have been as high as 7,000 as the Serbs used their infantry in a manner similar to Japanese Banzai attacks.[3]
2. ^ The Ottoman casualties don't include the significant number of soldiers who deserted during and after the battle.[2]
3. ^ Erickson estimates that Turkish casualties were 7,000 and argues against Serbian estimates that Turkish casualties were as high as 12,000.[3]
4. ^ Živojin Mišić states that General Putnik believed that the Vardar army still had the ability to fight a battle at Ovče Pole even after its defeat at Kumanovo. [24]

## Citations

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 70.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 83.
3. ^ a b Erickson 2003, p. 181.
4. ^ Old Europe's Suicide: The Building of a Pyramid of Errors. Library of Alexandria (1920)
5. ^ 'Albania's Golgotha. Leo Freundlich
6. ^ Encyclopedic Lexicon Mosaic of Knowledge - History 1970, p. 363.
7. ^ a b c d e Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 39–45.
8. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 45–48.
9. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 50–62.
10. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 66–67.
11. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 65–66.
12. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 68–70.
13. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 70–71.
14. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 71.
15. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 72–73.
16. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 73.
17. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 73–74.
18. ^ a b Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 74.
19. ^ a b c Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 76.
20. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 78–79.
21. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 79.
22. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, pp. 81–83.
23. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 80.
24. ^ Mišić 1985, p. 236.
25. ^ Ratković, Đurišić & Skoko 1972, p. 87.

## References

[edit]

* Encyclopedic Lexicon Mosaic of knowledge - History. Belgrade: Interpres. 1970.
* Erickson, Edward J. (2003). Defeat in Detail: The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912-1913. Praeger. ISBN 978-0275978884.
* Mišić, Vojvoda Živojin (1985). My Memories (in Serbian). Belgrade: BIGZ.
* Ratković, Borislav; Đurišić, Mitar; Skoko, Savo (1972). Serbia and Montenegro in the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913 (in Serbian). Belgrade Publishing and Graphic Institute.

## External links

[edit]

* Lecture (in Serbian) - Battle of Kumanovo - the crown jewel of Serbian military strategy
* Balkan Wars: Battle of Kumanovo 1912 (DOCUMENTARY)
* Song about the Kumanovo battle written 1 year after the original battle

* v
* t
* e

Balkan Wars

Background|

* Nationalism in the Ottoman Empire
* Albanian
* Bulgarian
* Greek
* Serbian
* Congress of Berlin
* Annexation of Eastern Rumelia
* Serbo-Bulgarian War
* Greco-Turkish War of 1897
* Cretan State
* IMRO & Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising
* Macedonian Struggle
* Young Turk Revolution
* Bosnian Crisis
* Bulgarian Independence
* 31 March Incident
* Goudi coup
* Italo-Turkish War
* Albanian revolt of 1912
* Balkan League

First Balkan War

Battles|

* Sarantaporo
* Kardzhali
* Pente Pigadia
* Sorovich
* Kumanovo
* Kirk Kilisse
* Scutari
* Lule Burgas
* Yenidje
* Adrianople
* Prilep
* Himara
* Monastir
* First Çatalca
* Kaliakra
* Merhamli
* Driskos
* Elli
* Korytsa
* Lemnos
* Bulair
* Şarköy
* Bizani
* Second Çatalca

Diplomacy and politics|

* London Conference
* Albanian Independence
* 1913 Ottoman coup d'état
* Treaty of London

Second Balkan War

Battles|

* Kilkis–Lachanas
* Doiran
* Bregalnica
* Knjaževac
* Kalimanci
* Kresna Gorge
* Southern Dobruja
* Romanian landings in Bulgaria
* Vidin
* Pirot

Diplomacy and politics|

* Greek–Serbian Alliance
* Provisional Government of Western Thrace
* Treaty of Bucharest
* Treaty of Constantinople
* Treaty of Athens

Other|

* 1913 Romanian Army cholera outbreak

General

Aftermath|

* Autonomy of Northern Epirus
* Greco-Turkish crisis of 1914
* Sarajevo Assassination and World War I
* Ottoman–Bulgarian alliance
* Balkans campaign of WWI
* Serbian campaign
* Macedonian front

Atrocities|

* Carnegie Commission
* Massacres of Albanians
* Bulgarians deportation program
* Massacres of Civilians
* Initial phase of the Greek genocide
* Places burned down

Participants|

* Bulgaria
* Ferdinand I
* Ivan Geshov
* Stoyan Danev
* Mihail Savov
* Ivan Fichev
* Vasil Kutinchev
* Nikola Ivanov
* Radko Dimitriev
* Stiliyan Kovachev
* Georgi Todorov
* Greece
* George I
* Constantine I
* Eleftherios Venizelos
* Panagiotis Danglis
* Pavlos Kountouriotis
* Konstantinos Sapountzakis
* Viktor Dousmanis
* Montenegro
* Nicholas I
* Crown Prince Danilo
* Janko Vukotić
* Ottoman Empire
* Mehmed V
* Nazim Pasha
* Zeki Pasha
* Esad Pasha
* Kölemen Abdullah Pasha
* Ali Rıza Pasha
* Hasan Tahsin Pasha
* Enver Bey
* Ahmed Izzet Pasha
* Romania
* Carol I
* Crown Prince Ferdinand
* Alexandru Averescu
* Serbia
* Peter I
* Crown Prince Alexander
* Radomir Putnik
* Petar Bojović
* Stepa Stepanović
* Božidar Janković
* Other Balkan states: Albania (Ismail Kemal)

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Kumanovo

Geography|

* Skopska Crna Gora
* Gradištanska planina
* German mountain
* Kumanovo River
* Kojnarka River

History|

* Timeline of Kumanovo

Places of interest|

| Buildings|

* Memorial Ossuary
* Zebrnjak
* Zanaetchiski Dom
* Kasapski Krug
* Clock Tower (former)
* Kumanovo Fortress (former)

|

Monuments|

* Batko Gjorgjija
* Chetiri Bandere
* Josip Broz Tito
* Makedonka
* Pero Chicho
* Magdalena Antova
* Ajduchka Cheshma
* Menkova Koliba

Parks|

* Gradski Park
* Sokolana
* Shetalishte - Kej
* Kumanovska Banja

Squares|

* Nova Jugoslavija Square
* Josip Broz Tito Square

Bridges|

* Iskta bridge
* Mitev bridge
* Sredorek bridge

Streets|

* Ivo Lola Ribar Nagorichki sokak
* Done Bozinov Proevski sokak
* 11 Oktomvri Ukjumat sokak
* Narodna Revolucija Pchinski pat
* Nikola Tesla Vranjsko dzade
* Ilindenska Romanovski sokak

Cemetery|

* Kumanovo Town Cemetery
* Muslim cemetery

Religion|

| Religious organizations|

* MOC-OA
* IRC

|

Orthodox
Churches and
Monasteries|

* St. Nikolas Old church
* Holy Trinity New church
* St. Archangel Michael Karposh
* St. George Near cemetery
* St. Petka Bedinje
* Resurrection of Christ Inside cemetery
* St. Mina Proevce
* St. George Tromegje
* Nagorichane Monastery
* Karpino Monastery
* Matejche Monastery

|

Sunni Mosques|

* Cherkezi Mosque
* Willage Mosque D'lga
* Tatar Sinan Beg Mosque
* New Mosque
* Hadzi Shefket Mosque
* Osman Biligbash Mosque Lopate
* Romanovce Mosque
* Sopot Mosque
* Kodža Mehmet Beg Mosque Tabanovce

Catholic church|

* St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Kumanovo

Protestant church|

* Evangelic church of Kumanovo
* Adventist church of Kumanovo
* Jehovah's witnesses Church of Kumanovo

Museums and
Cultural Buildings|

* Museum Kumanovo
* Cultural Center "Trajko Prokopiev"
* House Museum of Hristijan Todorovski Karpoš
* ASNOM Memorial Center
* Theater Kumanovo
* Art Gallery Kumanovo
* Rezhanovce Museum of folk costumes
* Kumanovo Library
* Kozjak cinema (former)
* Napredok cinema (former)

Local media|

| TV|

* TV+
* Festa
* Hana (former)
* K3 (former)
* KRT (former)
* TV Nova (former)
* TVK (former)
* KTL (former)

|

Radio|

* Radio Bum
* Radio Bravo
* City FM (former)

Newspaper|

* Ploshtad (former)
* Nash Vesnik (former)
* Beseda (former)
* Kumanovski (former)
* Dedo Ivan (former)
* Oktobris (former)

Sport|

| Sport Centers|

* Gradski Stadium Kumanovo
* Sports Hall Kumanovo
* Sports Hall Sokolana
* Milano Arena
* Public swimming pool

|

Sport Teams|

* FK Bashkimi
* 1947–2008
* 2011
* FK Goblen
* FK Karpoš 93
* GFK Kumanovo
* FK Milano
* KK Kumanovo
* RK Kumanovo
* ŽRK Kumanovo
* FHC Kumanovo
* OC Kumanovo

Education|

* Euro College
* State University of Tetovo - Faculty of Business Administration

Events|

* Days of Comedy
* International Art Colony
* Pivtijada
* Summer Jazz Festival (former)

Economy and
Transportation|

* List of companies in Kumanovo
* European route E75
* Pan-European Corridor X
* Pan-European Corridor VIII
* Skopje "Alexander the Great" Airport
* Adzi Tepe Airport
* Kumanovo Bus Station
* Kumanovo Railway Station
* Mall Garnizon
* SUMA Shopping center
* Tush Market
* Ramstor Market
* Tinex Market

People|

* List of people from Kumanovo

* v
* t
* e

Ottoman battles in the 20th century

Italo-Turkish War (1911–1912)|

* Preveza
* Tobruk
* Benghazi
* Kunfuda Bay
* Derna
* Beirut
* Rhodes
* Zanzur

Balkan Wars (1912–1913)|

* Sarantaporo
* Yenidje
* Kırcalı (Kardzhali)
* Beşpınar (Pente Pigadia)
* Sorovich
* Kumanovo
* Kirk Kilise
* İşkodra (Scutari)
* Lüleburgaz
* 1st Edirne (Adrianople)
* Prilep
* Himara
* Monastir
* 1st Çatalca
* Varna (Kaliakra)
* Merhamli
* İmroz (Elli)
* Korytsa
* Lemnos
* 2nd Edirne (Adrianople)
* Bolayır
* Şarköy
* Bizani
* 2nd Çatalca

First World War (1914–1918)|

* Köprüköy (Bergmann)
* Sarikamish
* Ardahan
* Suez Canal
* Naval operations
* Katya
* Seddülbayır (Cape Helles)
* Kumkale
* 1st Arıburnu (Anzac Cove)
* Baby 700
* 1st Kirte
* Battle of Dilman
* 2nd Arıburnu (2nd Anzac Cove)
* 2nd Kirte
* No.3 Post
* 3rd Arıburnu (3rd Anzac Cove)
* 3rd Kirte
* Zığındere
* Manzikert
* Kara Killisse
* Kirte Bağları (Krithia Vineyard)
* Kanlısırt (Lone Pine)
* Anafartalar
* Conkbayır
* Sarıbayır
* Kılıçbayır (The Nek)
* Hill 60
* Yusufçuktepe (Scimitar Hill)
* Selman’ı Pak (Ctesiphon)
* 1st Kut
* Sağ Sahil
* Erzurum offensive
* Wadi
* Felahiye (Hanna)
* Sabis
* Trebizond
* Mecca
* Erzincan
* Aqaba
* Bitlis
* Romani
* Bir el Abd
* Yanbu
* Magdhaba
* Rafa
* Nekhl
* Bir el Hassana
* 2nd Kut
* Samarrah
* Jebel Hamlin
* 1st Gaza
* 2nd Gaza
* Istabulat
* Aqaba
* Ramadi
* Wadi Musa
* Beersheba
* Khuweilfe
* 3rd Gaza
* Baghdad
* Hareira and Sheria
* Wadi el Hesi
* Huj
* Mughar Ridge
* Ayun Kara
* Jerusalem
* Jaffa
* Jericho
* Tell 'Asur
* Khan Baghdadi
* Hijla
* 1st Amman
* Berukin and 1st Arara
* 2nd Transjordan
* Abaran
* Sardarabad
* Karakilisa
* Goychay
* Aghsu
* Kurdamir
* Binagadi
* Baku
* Arsuf
* German Expedition
* Abu Tellul
* 2nd Arara
* Megiddo
* Tabsor
* Tulkarm
* Afulah and Beisan
* Nazareth
* Jenin
* Haifa
* Samakh
* Tiberias
* Irbid
* Jisr Benat Yakub
* Kaukab
* Damascus
* Kiswe
* Jisr ed Damieh
* Sharqat
* Aleppo
* Khan Ayash
* 2nd Amman
* Haritan

* For the battles before 1900 see List of battles involving the Ottoman Empire

* v
* t
* e

Wars and battles involving Serbs

Medieval|

| Serbian–Bulgarian|

* Bulgar–Serb War (839–842)
* Bulgar–Serb War (853)
* Bulgarian–Serbian wars of 917–924
* Bulgarian–Serbian border revolt
* Bulgarian-Serb War (998)
* Bulgarian-Serbian War (1202)
* Bulgarian-Serbian War (1203)
* Bulgarian-Serbian War (1290)
* Bulgarian-Serbian War (1291)
* Bulgarian-Serbian War (1330)
* Battle of Velbazhd

|

Serbian–Ottoman|

* Early skirmishes
* Battle of Gallipoli
* Battle of Stephaniana
* Battle of Demotika in 1352
* Battle of Sırp Sındığı in 1364
* Fall of the Serbian Empire
* Battle of Maritsa in 1371
* Battle of Dubravnica in 1381
* Battle of Savra in 1385
* Battle of Pločnik in 1386
* Battle of Kosovo in 1389
* Serbian Despotate
* Battle of Karanovasa
* Battle of Tripolje in 1402
* Siege of Novo Brdo in 1412
* Battle of Vitosha Pass in 1413
* Battle of Carmorlu
* First Scutari War
* Second Scutari War
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia in 1425
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia in 1427
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia in 1437
* Battle of Trnava (1430)
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia in 1438
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia (1439–1444)
* Crusade of Varna
* Battle of Nish (1443)
* Battle of Zlatitsa in 1443
* Battle of Kunovica in 1444
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia (1454–1455)
* Battle of Kruševac in 1454
* Battle of Leskovac in 1454
* Ottoman invasion of Serbia in 1456
* Siege of Belgrade
* Siege of Smederevo
* Ottoman invasion and conquest of Serbia in 1459
* Battle of Breadfield in 1479
* Ottoman conquest of Zeta in 1499

Serbian–Byzantine|

* Serb Uprising of 1038–1042
* Battle of Bar
* Slav Uprising in Pomoravlje
* Battle of Zvečan (1094)
* Battle of Haram
* Siege of Ras (1127)
* Battle of Tara (1150)
* Byzantine–Hungarian War (1149–1155)
* Siege of Braničevo (1154)
* Battle of Pantina
* Byzantine–Hungarian War (1127–1129)
* Byzantine civil war of 1321–1328
* Serbian invasion of Macedonia led by Syrgiannes Palaiologos (1334)
* Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347

Other|

* Hungarian invasions of Europe
* Magyar–Serb conflict
* Byzantine–Hungarian War (1127–1129)
* Battle of Sirmium
* Battle of Gacko
* Serbian conflict with the Nogai Horde
* Mongol invasion of Bulgaria and Serbia
* Mačva War
* Hungarian–Serbian War (1321-1324)
* War of Hum (1326–1329)
* Serbian civil war of 1331
* Serbian nobility conflict (1369)
* Battle of Rovine
* Battle of Nicopolis
* Battle of Ankara
* Battle of Kosmidion
* Battle of Çamurlu
* Battle of Despotovac
* Siege of Belgrade (1440)
* Battle of Kosovo (1448)
* Fall of Constantinople

Foreign rule|

| Habsburgs|

* Jovan Nenad's uprising
* Hungarian campaign of 1527–1528
* Battle of Szőlős
* Battle of Sződfalva
* Battle of Keresztes
* Great Turkish War
* Siege of Belgrade (1688)
* Battle of Batočina
* Battle of Niš (1689)
* Siege of Belgrade (1690)
* Battle of Lugos
* Rákóczi's War of Independence
* Battle of Saint Gotthard (1705)
* Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718)
* Siege of Belgrade (1717)
* Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739)
* Battle of Zsibó
* Battle of Trenčín
* Battle of Petrovaradin
* Battle of Banja Luka
* Austro-Turkish War (1788–1791)

|

Ottomans|

* Long War (Ottoman wars) (1593–1606)
* Banat Uprising (1594)
* Serb Uprising of 1596–1597
* Battle of Mohács (1687)
* Uprising in Vučitrn
* Serb uprising of 1737–1739
* Kočina Krajina Serb rebellion
* Battle of Martinići (1796)
* Battle of Krusi
* Battle of Lopate

Venice|

* Morean War
* Cretan War (1645–1669)
* Great Turkish War
* Battle on Vrtijeljka
* Battle of Slankamen
* Battle of Senta

Russia|

* Serbian Hussar Regiment
* Pruth River Campaign
* War of the Polish Succession
* Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743)
* Seven Years' War

19th century|

| Serbian Revolution|

* First Serbian Uprising
* Vračar
* Rudnik
* Svileuva
* Batočina and Jagodina
* Kragujevac
* Drlupa
* Čokešina
* Šabac
* Požarevac
* Karanovac
* Adakale
* Ivankovac
* Rudnik
* Vrbica
* Mišar
* Deligrad
* Belgrade (1806)
* Liberation of Belgrade
* Loznica
* Malajnica and Štubik
* Čegar
* Jasika
* Prahovo
* Suvodol
* Drina
* Varvarin
* Loznica
* Mačva
* Ravnje
* Hadži Prodan's Revolt
* Second Serbian Uprising
* Ljubić
* Čačak
* Palež
* Požarevac
* Rudnik
* Družetić
* Kragujevac
* Jagodina
* Karanovac
* Batočina
* Užice
* Valjevo
* Batočina

|

Ottoman|

* Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1852–1853)
* Battle of Grahovac
* Battle of Kolašin
* Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1861–1862)
* Montenegrin–Ottoman War (1876–1878)
* Battle of Vučji Do
* Battle of Fundina
* Battles for Plav and Gusinje
* Velika attacks
* Battle of Novšiće
* Battle of Murino

Other|

* Kumanovo uprising
* Adriatic campaign of 1807–1814
* Jančić's rebellion
* Priest Jovica's Rebellion
* Several battles of Hungarian Revolution of 1848
* Battle of Vršac (1849)
* Serbian-Turkish Wars (1876–1878)
* Battle of Vranje
* Siege of Cattaro
* Herzegovina uprising (1852–1862)
* Krivošije uprising (1869)
* Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
* AU-BiH War
* Battle of Jajce (1878)
* Battle of Vitez (1878)
* Battle of Sarajevo (1878)
* Serbo-Bulgarian War
* Battle of Pirot
* Battle of Slivnitsa

20th century|

| Macedonian Struggle|

* Fight on Šuplji Kamen
* Fight on Čelopek
* Fight in Tabanovce
* Fight in Velika Hoča
* Fight on Čelopek (1906)
* Battle of Pirot (1913)

|

Balkan Wars|

* First Balkan War
* Battle of Kumanovo
* Battle of Prilep
* Battle of Monastir
* Siege of Scutari
* Siege of Adrianople
* Siege of Odrin (1912–1913)
* Second Balkan War
* Battle of Bregalnica
* Battle of Kalimanci
* Battle of Knjaževac
* Siege of Vidin (1913)
* Ohrid–Debar uprising

World War I|

* Montenegrin campaign
* Battle of Mojkovac
* Battle of Lovćen
* Serbian campaign
* Battle of Cer
* Battle of the Crna Bend (1916)
* Battle of Bazargic
* Battle of Dobro Pole
* Battle of the Drina
* Battle of Florina
* Battle of Kaymakchalan
* Battle of Kolubara
* Kosovo offensive (1915)
* Liberation of Serbia, Albania and Montenegro (1918)
* Battle of Malka Nidzhe
* Macedonian front
* Monastir offensive
* Morava Offensive
* Ovče Pole Offensive
* Vardar offensive
* Srem Offensive
* Toplica Uprising

Interwar|

* Carinthia War
* Uprising in Drenica
* Christmas Uprising
* Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War
* Albanian-Yugoslav Border War (1921)
* Drenica-Junik Uprising

World War II|

* Invasion of Yugoslavia
* Uprising in Serbia (1941)
* Uprising in Montenegro (1941)
* June 1941 uprising in eastern Herzegovina
* Battle of Novi Pazar
* Battle of Pljevlja
* Battle of Kozara
* Battle of Loznica (1941)
* Battle of Livno
* Battle of Neretva
* Battle of the Sutjeska
* Raid on Drvar
* Battle of Knin
* Battle of Mostar
* Battle of Lijevče Field
* 1942 Montenegro offensive
* Bihać Operation
* Battle of Batina
* Belgrade Offensive
* Capture of Banja Koviljača
* Case Black
* Case White
* Operation Draufgänger
* Kozara Offensive
* Battle of Kupres (1942)
* Battle of Višegrad
* Mostar operation
* Nagykanizsa–Körmend Offensive
* Niš operation
* Battle of Odžak
* Capture of Olovo (1941)
* Operation Alfa
* Operation Delphin
* Operation Kopaonik
* Operation Kugelblitz
* Operation Mihailovic
* Operation Southeast Croatia
* Operation Trio
* Operation Uzice
* Battle of Poljana
* Operation Prijedor
* Siege of Rogatica (1941)
* Operation Rösselsprung (1944)
* Kosovo Operation (1944)
* Operation Spring Awakening
* Srb uprising
* Stratsin-Kumanovo operation
* Syrmian Front
* Battle of Zvornik
* Battle of Sarajevo (1945)
* Battle of Zelengora

Croatian War|

* Pakrac clash
* Plitvice Lakes incident
* Battle of Borovo Selo
* Operation Stinger
* 1991 Yugoslav campaign in Croatia
* Battle of Osijek
* Battle of Vukovar
* Battle of Gospić
* Battle of Šibenik
* Battle of Zadar
* Battle of Kusonje
* Battle of the Barracks
* Siege of Varaždin Barracks
* Siege of Bjelovar Barracks
* Battle of the Dalmatian Channels
* Siege of Dubrovnik
* Operation Otkos 10
* Operation Orkan 91
* Operation Whirlwind
* Operation Baranja
* Operation Jackal
* Battle of the Miljevci Plateau
* Operation Tiger
* Operation Maslenica
* Operation Medak Pocket
* Operation Winter '94
* Operation Flash
* Operation Summer '95
* Operation Storm

Bosnian War|

* Battle of Bosanski Brod
* Battle of Kupres
* Siege of Sarajevo
* Siege of Srebrenica
* Siege of Goražde
* Siege of Doboj
* Operation Jackal
* Siege of Bihać (1992–95)
* Operation Vrbas '92
* Operation Corridor 92
* Operation Bura
* Kravica attack
* Siege of Mostar
* Operation Irma
* Operation Bøllebank
* Operation Tiger
* Battle of Kupres
* Operation Amanda
* Operation Spider
* Operation Winter '94
* Battle of Vlašić
* Operation Leap 1
* Battle of Orašje
* Operation Leap 2
* Operation Summer '95
* Battle of Vrbanja Bridge
* Battle of Vozuća
* Operation Miracle
* Operation Mistral 2
* Operation Sana
* Operation Una
* Operation Southern Move
* NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina
* 1995 Pale air strikes
* Operation Deny Flight
* Operation Deliberate Force
* Operation Maritime Monitor

Kosovo War|

* Insurgency in Kosovo
* Albanian–Yugoslav border incident (December 1998)
* Albania–Yugoslav border incident (April 1999)
* April 23, 1998, Albanian–Yugoslav border ambush
* Attack on Orahovac
* Attack on Prekaz
* Battle of Lođa
* Battle of Oraovica
* Battle of Belaćevac Mine
* Battle of Podujevo
* December 14, 1998, Albanian–Yugoslav border ambush
* Battle of Glođane
* July 18, 1998, Albanian–Yugoslav border clashes
* Battle of Junik
* Battle of Košare
* Insurgency in the Preševo Valley
* Prizren incident (1999)
* NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
* Dubrava Prison bombings and executions
* 1999 F-117A shootdown

21st century|

| Peacekeeping|

* Central African Republic
* Cyprus
* DR Congo
* Ivory Coast
* Lebanon
* Liberia
* Mali
* Somalia

|

Authority control databases: National |

* United States
* Israel

|

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