Battle of Mojkovac

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Battle of Mojkovac
Part of Serbian Campaign (World War I)
Date 6 January - 7 January 1916 Location near Mojkovac Result Minor Montenegrin victory
Belligerents
Montenegro	Austria-Hungary
Commanders
Serdar Janko Vukotić	Wilhelm von Reiner Conrad von Hatzendorf
Strength
6,500	20,000
Casualties and losses
?	?

The Battle of Mojkovac (Serbian: Бој на Мојковцу, Boj na Mojkovcu) was a famous World War I battle fought between 6 January and 7 January of 1916 near Mojkovac, Montenegro, between the armies of Austria-Hungary and Montenegro. It ended with a minor Montenegrin victory.

Contents 1 Prelude 2 Battle 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Prelude

In winter of 1915, the Army of Montenegro had been fighting Austro-Hungary for three months, resisting the invasion to their territory. The Montenegrin Army was weakened by the harsh weather and lack of supplies. On 5 January 1916, they received a command to protect the retreating of Serbian army to Greece via Albania and Montenegro.

[edit] Battle

The fighting culminated on 6th and 7th January 1916 (on Orthodox Christmas; also known as 'Bloody Christmas'). Although outnumbered, led by Serdar Janko Vukotić (and with Krsto Zrnov Popović as second in command) , the Montenegrin army defeated a numerically superior enemy. Montenegrins inflicted heavy casualties on Austro-Hungarian forces and stopped their advancement, giving enough time to the Serbian forces to retreat.

The victory was temporary, as the Austrians continued their offensive and by 25 January, the army of Montenegro laid down its weapons.

[edit] See also

• Serbian Campaign (World War I)

[edit] References

• Cyril Falls, The Great War, p. 140