Key Facts
- Dates
- 21–24 October 1912 (O.S.)
- Duration
- 3 days
- Greek unit engaged
- 5th Greek Division
- Decisive factor
- Ottoman flanking machine-gun attack at dawn, 24 Oct
- Strategic consequence
- Serbian capture of Monastir (Bitola)
Strategic Narrative Overview
The 5th Greek Division was attacked near the village of Zabardeni (Lofoi) and withdrew to Sorovich, where it found itself heavily outnumbered by Ottoman forces. For two days, 22–23 October, the division repelled repeated Ottoman assaults. On the morning of 24 October, Ottoman machine gunners delivered a surprise flanking attack, routing the Greek division and effectively ending Greek resistance in that sector.
01 / The Origins
During the First Balkan War of 1912–13, Greece joined Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro against the Ottoman Empire to contest control of Macedonia and other Balkan territories. The Greek Army of Thessaly advanced into western Macedonia, with the 5th Division operating separately from the main force. Ottoman troops in the region sought to check Greek advances around the Sorovich (modern Amyntaio) area, setting the stage for a direct confrontation.
03 / The Outcome
The Greek defeat left the Monastir (Bitola) area without effective Greek opposition, enabling Serbian forces to capture the contested city. This outcome settled, at least temporarily, which Balkan ally would control Monastir, contributing to later Serbo-Greek tensions over Macedonian territory. The broader First Balkan War ended in 1913 with the Treaty of London, expelling the Ottomans from most of their remaining European holdings.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.