Two army corps were at once rushed toward the
Valley of the Jadar; part of a third was sent to block the advance
of the Austrians from Shabatz. Meanwhile the Austrians took their
time. For two days they busied themselves fortifying the bridge
at Losnitza.
* * * * *
CHAPTER XLIX
THE GREAT BATTLES BEGIN
On August 14, 1914, began the first battle of the Serbian campaign.
The Austrians proceeded to storm the heights from which the small
outpost detachments had all the time been bombarding them with
its old-fashioned guns. The Serbians, though few in number, made
a desperate resistance. It was their business to hold back the
enemy as long as possible, even until the reenforcements should
arrive.
Early in the morning of August 14, 1914, the Austrians advanced
in a great mass, then charged up the hillsides toward the Serbian
position. The Serbians waited until they were well up the steep
slopes and the rush of the enemy had subsided to a more toilsome
climb. Then they sent down volley after volley from every available
weapon.
The Austrian soldiers, who had until then never experienced anything
more warlike than field maneuvers, lost their nerves; the first
line broke and ran at the first fire. However, that was likely
to happen to any troops under fire for the first time. Down in
the plain they formed again, and again they swept up the slopes.
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