The news that Bulgaria had captured Komodini not only shocked the Ottomans, but also surprised Carlo, their ally. You must know that it had only been seven days, and it had only been seven days since Bulgaria declared war on the Ottomans.
Regarding the Bulgarians' high combat effectiveness, a field military observation group commented on this. With good strength and super high morale, the Bulgarians deserved this victory.
Of course, unlike what was published in the newspaper, Carlo had a detailed combat experience, which was sent by the Italian military advisory group. Yes, Italy not only participated in the battle itself, but also sent military personnel to Montenegro and Bulgaria.
Military advisory group.
In this report, the details of the battle between the Bulgarian army and the Ottoman army were described in detail. Only in this detailed battle report did Carlo learn the specific facts. From the beginning, the First Bulgarian Army followed Major General Gudshev's instructions.
Following the order, with a quick and powerful offensive, they broke through two lines of defense of the Ottoman army one after another, and arrived at the city of Komodini within three days.
In fact, the effect was very good. The Ossan army, which originally planned to rely on the defense line to build more defensive offensives for Comodini, was caught off guard.
The Bulgarian army that rushed to the city did not give the enemy time to replenish themselves, and immediately threw themselves into the siege. After four days of hard fighting, they finally drove the Ottoman army out of the city.
In this battle, the First Army suffered 5,470 killed, 11,467 injured, and 379 missing, with total casualties reaching more than 16,000. Of course, their results were also very good, with 7,891 killed and 14,915 captured and injured by the defending Ottoman army.
69 artillery pieces and more than 10,000 guns were lost. It can be said that more than half of the defenders suffered casualties, and the resistance was already very fierce.
Major General Gudshev's First Army was the first to capture the target and was also the main target in the first phase of the Bulgarian operation.
A very interesting thing needs to be said here. Before the war started, the highest military rank in Bulgaria was colonel. Major General Gudshev was promoted urgently along with three others two days before the war started.
In fact, there are currently only four major generals in Bulgaria, namely Major General Gudshev of the First Army, Major General Guchev of the Second Army, Major General Uzunov of the Third Army, and the Army General Staff who commands the troops left behind in the country.
Major General Nikolayev.
Don’t be surprised by this. You must know that in the Serbian-Bulgarian War five years ago, the highest military rank in Bulgaria before the war started was captain. That war was also called the Captain’s War. (If you are interested, you can check this war. It can be said that as long as
If Bulgaria makes one wrong move, everything will be lost. The timing, location, people, and luck are all overwhelming.)
What was the reason for this? Before this? The senior officers of Bulgaria were served by Russian officers. From this, we can see how powerful Russia was in Bulgaria at that time.
Of course, after the two countries fell out, these Bulgarian captains fully assumed the military command of their war. And they performed very well, which made Serbia, which at that time considered itself the number one in combat effectiveness among the small Balkan countries, disgraced. (Saar
Via defeated two Ottoman army attacks during the Russo-Turkish War before, and of course it is generally highly regarded)
After reading the battle report that Bulgaria captured Komodini? Carlo raised his head and looked at the silent Army Minister General Saragat and asked. "Your Excellency General Saragat? Bulgaria captured Komodini."
Modini, why hasn’t the army broken through the enemy’s defense line yet?”
There is a reason why Carlo asked this, because the Italian army has currently landed 160,000 people in Albania, and the number is still increasing. In order to transport these troops and the supplies they need? The transportation troops and the conscripted ships are working hard
Operation.
And these troops, led by General Cadorna, Chief of General Staff, have been unable to break through the fortifications defended by the Ottoman Macedonian Second Army and break into the Macedonian region.
Facing Carlo's question, Admiral Cadorna thought for a while before speaking. "Your Majesty, our situation is very different from that of the Bulgarians. They have the suddenness of battles? And we have always been
The focus of the Ottoman army's surveillance. In addition, the enemy relied on the superior terrain of the Dinara Mountains.
It is very difficult to attack the fortifications built due to the strong position? Due to the road and terrain reasons, it is difficult for our army to send heavy artillery to the places where support is needed? So it is more likely that soldiers can only attack, which is not very efficient? And it is easy.
Caused huge casualties."
Facing the explanation given by Admiral Cadorna? Carlo did not agree. "I can believe the reasons given by the Admiral? I just don't know how to tell the king and his people. You must know that your weapons and equipment are...
It is much better than the other party, and such results cannot convince others at all."
At the end of his speech, Carlo stretched out his hand and gestured. "I can accept the result that the army breaks through the enemy's interception and enters the Macedonian area within five days. If it cannot be done by the time, then the army's performance will not be worthy of this victory."
Yes, Carlo showed off his cards to the Army at this time. Carlo couldn't stand it anymore after a lot of forbearance in the past, in exchange for such a result.
You must know that except for the performance of capturing Durrës and Tirana at the beginning, which was pretty good, the army's performance at other times was really not that good.
In its battles with the Ottoman army, the army often fought at a one-to-one or one-to-two exchange ratio. Moreover, the efficiency of attacking breakthroughs was not high, and it is still being blocked by the enemy in the mountains.
Although the enemy has been held back, is it time to hold the enemy back? At this time, facing the enemies surrounded by Macedonia, how can we get the biggest piece of cake if we don't show enough combat effectiveness?
You know, Albania is very important to Italy, and it must show enough strength to silence others. Italy is not the only one who wants this land.
Facing the five-day deadline given by Carlo, Admiral Saraguet did not dare to refute it at this time. Because he knew that if he refused, the king would not be polite to him, and it was not impossible to replace him.
Ignoring the silent Minister of War, Carlo turned to the Minister of the Navy who was watching the excitement and said, "Admiral Gorek, are your ships ready?"
The navy has been having a good life recently. The enemy has no strength to compete with itself. Although this has cost it a lot of military exploits, it also reduces a lot of dangers. It only requires escort and shelling. This kind of mission only needs to be carried out.
Any qualified general can do it.
Admiral Gorek knew what Carlo meant and nodded quickly in reply. "Your Majesty, the navy is ready."
"Then start hurricane planning immediately."
"As commanded."
After talking with the military, Carlo turned to the Prime Minister and others and said, "Leave the battlefield matters to the military, and then you will need to work hard on other things. Currently, there are two more countries, Serbia and Greece, so we need more
Diplomatic support, this time we need to increase support from various countries, after all, we are liberating oppressed Christians."
Faced with the task given by Carlo, Bacona, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stood up. "Your Majesty, please rest assured that our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made every effort to win the support of other countries, at least in terms of public opinion, we can gain the support of the people of all countries."
Facing the words of the Foreign Secretary, Carlo thought of Britain and Russia behind the two countries, and France hiding behind the Ottomans. He shook his head and said. "This is not enough. You need to work harder. Our enemies are more than what we see in front of us."
