Petrit Latifi
In 1914, the Serbian forces invaded Croatian territory which was defended by the Croatian forces of the Austro-Hungarian army. The Serbs violated international laws and afired on the unfortified city from the other side of Sava. Some Croatian homes were burned. The Croats counter-attacked. The Serbs lost 3,000 men and 6,000 were captured.
Cited:
“Defeat of the Serbs in Croatia.
A friend of our newspaper gave us a letter from a relative currently staying in Mitroviza, who describes the fighting against the Serbs on the Sava as an eyewitness. The letter is dated the 7th of this month and reads:
The citizens of the city of Mitroviza were awakened from their sleep yesterday by the loud roar of cannons. The Serbs, in defiance of all laws of international law, had begun bombarding the unfortified city from the other bank of the Sava. Our troops were immediately alerted by the city command and were soon ready for battle. The shelling caused little damage in the city. Some houses went up in flames.
Among public buildings, the post office, the court building, the town hall, the Catholic church, the tax office, the building of the “Srpski dom,” and the police office were damaged. The violators of the authorities went to Calma with the cash register. The post office was evicted, while telephone traffic remained uninterrupted
During the morning, the troops of the 1st Timok Division crossed the Sava at three locations simultaneously: Mitrowitz, Raca, and Klenat. Our troops awaited the enemy with terrifying machine gun fire. The Serbs immediately suffered indescribable losses and fled frantically.
After stubborn pursuit, our troops captured approximately 6,000 soldiers, among them many staff and senior officers. All prisoners were immediately disarmed and brought under safe conduct to Ruma.
Part of the Serbian troops had been captured, the other part destroyed. Our soldiers had thrown themselves on the enemy like lions and made retreat impossible for the fleeing troops. In addition, our soldiers captured a great deal of military equipment. The area around Mitrovica, where the invasion took place, has been completely cleared of the enemy. The heavy fighting lasted yesterday afternoon until 7:00 p.m. Many families fled, some to Bukovar, some to other towns.
News had spread that the enemy was on the way to Sid. This was not true. Part of the Serbian army had disembarked at Skele (Serbia), advanced as far as Kupinovo, and was destroyed there as well. The number of wounded and lost is estimated at 3,000.
The banks of the Sava are well fortified by our troops, and there is no danger to our country. After such a brilliant reception on Croatian soil, the Serbs will probably think twice about invading Croatia again. There are almost no losses on our side.”
Reference
Balkan Academia 