The Battle of Cer was the first Allied victory in the First World War. It improved Allied-Serbian relations because western faith in the competence of the Serbian army was much improved; it was fought between Austro-Hungarian troops under the command of General Pochorek and Serbian trops under the command of General Stepa Stepanovic.

Battle Summary

When the First World War started the Austro-Hungarian army under the command of General Pochorek pushed into Serbia across the Sava and the Drina. Sabac fell. The Serb Second Army under the command of General Stepa Stepanovic advanced towards Cer, the Sumadija Division towards Sabac and the Cavalry Division towards Macva. On the left flank the Third Army under the command of General Sturm entered the battle. During August 1914 a great battle was waged in the area of Cer, in which around 200,000 men with a great number of artillery pieces of ordnance took part on the Austro-Hungarian side, and around 180,000 men on the Serb side. The main battle at Cer lasted from August 16 to 19. On Transfiguration the Serb army won a great victory, pushed the enemy army back across the Drina and completely thwarted the Austro-Hungarian war plan.

Outcome

Around 25,000 Austro-Hungarian officers and soldiers were killed and wounded, and around 4500 were captured. The Serb army lost around 16,000. As a result of the battle Austria-Hungary withdrew from Sandzak, delaying their offensive into Serbia. Austria-Hungary continued offensives into Serbia for the rest of the autumn of 1914 but were repulsed again.

Troop Count

• Austria-Hungary: 200,000 men
• Serbia: 180,000 men