Dates 12 Sep 1916 – 30 Sep 1916 Location Kajmakčalan | Result Tactical Serbian victory | |
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1st Army with main effort by Drina Division 1st Brigade of 3rd "Balkan" Infantry Division with main effort by 11th "Sliven" Regiment 4,643 killed of which 3/4 belonging to the Drina Division Dead Soldiers/Officers 1876,51 Wounded Soldiers/Officers 5941,126 including 11th Sliven Regiment's losses of Dead Soldier/Officers 529, 29 Wounded 2000 Similar World War I, Macedonian Front, Battle of Dobro Pole, Battle of the Crna Bend, Battle of Kolubara | ||
Battle of kaymakchalan
The Battle of Kaymakchalan was a battle that was fought between Serbian and Bulgarian troops on the Macedonian Front during World War I.
The battle was fought between 12 and 30 September 1916, when the Serbian army managed to capture the peak of Prophet Ilia while pushing the Bulgarians towards the town of Mariovo, where the latter formed new defensive lines. Between 26 and 30 September, the peak changed hands several times until it was decisively captured by the Serbian army on the latter date.
The battle proved to be very costly for both sides. Serbian losses had reached around 10,000 killed and wounded by 23 September. The Bulgarian companies had been reduced to 90 men each and one regiment, the 11th Sliven Regiment, had 73 officers and 3,000 men hors de combat.
By strategic aspect, the battle was not a huge success for the Allies due to the upcoming winter that rendered further military engagements almost impossible.
Today, there is a small church on the peak of Prophet Ilia where the skulls of dead Serbian soldiers are stored, and it is regarded as a cultural site and is a tourist attraction.