October 1915-June 1916

Abstract

With the breakthrough of the Gorlice-Tarnöw offensive and the Monarchy’s success in holding back the Italians on the Isonzo, securing the Balkan front and subduing Serbia and Montenegro finally became possible. Achievement of Austro-Hungarian war aims in the Balkans hinged on the Central Powers’ ability to defeat Serbia in particular. Yet only on September 6, 1915, when the Bulgarian government signed a military agreement establishing the Quadruple Alliance, did the necessary forces become available to defeat Serbia through a pincer invasion. This moment of triumph, when the Serbs were expelled through Albania and the Montenegrins surrendered, was marred by a new and more dangerous enemy arriving on the Balkan front. One day prior to the onset of the ultimately successful invasion of Serbia on October 6, 1915, Entente forces violated Greek neutrality and opened a new front in Salonika, a position which would hold back Austria-Hungary and its allies from total Balkan domination. Furthermore, the survival of a portion of the Serbian armed forces meant that they would be employed against the Monarchy in the future.