Here the Austrians developed a vigorous and persistent offensive,
hoping to turn the Serbian left and thus capture the road to Valievo.
The attack on the positions at Jarebitze commenced at daybreak on
August 16, 1914. Here the Serbians held good ground: rocky summits,
but so limited in extent that there was room only for a few companies
at a time. On the other hand the ground before them was broken up
into hollows screened by growing corn. This enabled the Austrians
to deploy their lines beyond the Serbian flanks unseen. They did
execute just such a movement, and attempted to circle around toward
the Serbian rear.
At the same time the Serbians here were attacked from in front
by another hostile column which had come from across the plain on
the south side of the Jadar valley, where hollows, sunken roads,
and fields of corn again formed ample screening. However, in spite
of all these movements, the Serbians were able to hold their own.
The Austrian attacks were all beaten back. Their position might
have been held indefinitely, but developments to the south were
taking on a threatening form.
It will be remembered that an Austrian force had been reported
approaching from the south, moving on Krupanie, and that it had
seemed so insignificant that a small detachment of third reserve
troops had been sent to hold it back. But this enemy force now
developed into three mountain brigades.
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