"In July 1916 the Russian Brussilov offensive had made sweeping gains along the Dniester encouraging Romania to enter the war. One of the conditions for Romania's participation was an allied offensive in Macedonia ,which they hoped would engage the Bulgars and prevent a counter offensive over the Danube.
The allied CinC in Macedonia was the French General Sarrail. The French, British, Serbian, Russian and Italian troops were in position by the middle of August ready for the Romanian declaration of war on the 28th. However, the Bulgars and Germans had spotted the allied preparations and pre-emptied allied plans with their own offensive on August 17th. This had some early success capturing Florina, forcing Serb and French forces back into Greece. The offensive eventually petered out against strong Serb positions at Ostrovo. By the end of August the fighting had stopped.
Sarrail now reorganised his planned offensive. The British and Italian armies would demonstrate on their fronts whilst Serbian and French divisions would attack Monastir. The capture of Monastir would enable a flanking of the strong Vardar defences, if it could be captured before the autumn rains.
The key Bulgarian position was on the twin peaks of the Kajmakcalan mountain, a 1500 yard ridge, 8200 feet up at the highest point. This had to be taken by the Serbian First Army (General Misic) before any advance on Monastir…"
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Armand
adds an infantry platoon to his WWI Brits.
