The Balkan Cockpit. THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY STORY OF THE BALKAN WARS IN MACEDONIA PDF
Preview The Balkan Cockpit. THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY STORY OF THE BALKAN WARS IN MACEDONIA
CONSTANTINE XII, KING OF THE HELLENES. THE BALKAN COCKPIT THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY STORY OF THE BALKAN WARS MACEDONIA IN BY CRAWFURD W. H. PRICE WITH AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPHS AND MANY ILLUSTRATIONS BY H.R.H. PRINCE NICHOLAS OF GREECE AND THE AUTHOR, AND SPECIALLY DRAWN MAPS OF THE MILITARY OPERATIONS. LONDON T. WERNER LAURIE LTD. ESSEX STREET, STRAND 8 ERRATA MAPS. re The map facing page 86 refers to the Serbo-Bulgarian operations described in the appendix, and is intended to supplement the map facing page 250. The maps referred to on pages 60 and-90 were omitted on account of the sudden de- parture of the author at the outbreak of the European war. PREFACE Several circumstances have combined to retard the publication of these reminiscences of the epoch- making events which have opened a new chapter in Balkan history. Delay in such cases has its advantages. If some vivid impressions are lost, we are, on the other hand, able to correct too hastily drawn conclusions and to appreciate moves on the diplomatic chess-board which were, at the time, incomprehensible. Many excellent and instructive books have been written on the Thracian campaign. Others have arrived to describe the experiences of war corres- pondents with one or other of the rival armies. 1 propose, however, to work along somewhat different lines. Stationed in the capital city of Macedonia, I was able to watch the rise and fall of Young Turkey, the temporary burial of the blood-stained Christian hatchets, the collapse of Ottoman civil and military power, the triumphal progress of the Greek, Servian and Bulgarian armies in Macedonia, the breakdown of the Balkan Alliance and the subse- quent war between the quondam allies. All these passing events I have sought to weave into a story. I have, as far as possible, avoided dry v PREFACE vi military and historical detail, and though the soldier will find much that is instructive, and the historian much that is valuable in the succeeding pages, my object has primarily been to interest the " man in the street," and to bring him into closer touch with the fascinating tale of Macedonian strife. If, with the facts before me, I have had occasion to somewhat severely criticise the Bulgarians, I beg them remember that they have so long feasted upon praise and flattery, that they must not complain if I have found it necessary to suggest that their actions have not always been in keeping with what one had been led to expect from Christian conquerors. To render justice is often to condemn, and if, as I believe, my statements cannot be disproved, then I submit that my criticism has been both fair and merited. The Turks, too, must realise that the motive of this book has necessitated my pointing out their failures and not their virtues. The Constitutionalists did many good things, but these were not instru- mental in bringing about the Balkan War. " The evil that men do lives after them ; the good is oft interred with their bones." Many of us have reason to regret the departure of old and dear Turkish — — friends, and our regret will if I mistake not be shared by many among the Christian populations of Thrace and Macedonia who will henceforth live under alien rule. Greeks and Servians will find little that is un- pleasant in my criticisms. That result is again due PREFACE vii to themselves rather than to any desire on my part to mete out more sympathetic treatment. Neither were faultless. Both had to deal with an enormous and unexpected extension of territory, and " war is hell." But, on the whole, they carried through their difficult task with highly commendable ability and humanity, and their conduct inevitably stands out in sharp contrast to that of their neighbours. My acknowledgments are due to my journal for the use of extracts from my dispatches. C. P. — [Note. The author had no opportunity of correcting the proofs of this book, as he was at the war while it was being printed.] — CONTENTS CHAP. PAGB I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL REGIME IN TURKEY I THE NURSERY OF DISCONTENT II. 7 III. THE BEGINNING OF THE END . 20 IV. "VERS LA GUERRE" 29 V. THE GREAT BALKAN WAR 43 VI. THE BATTLE OF SARANDAPORON 58 . VII. THE BATTLE OF KOUMANOVO 67 . VIII. THE WORK OF THE GREEK NAVY . 79 IX. THE BATTLE OF YENIDJE'VARDAR 86 . X. THE TURKISH DEBACLE . 96 XI. SALONIKA BEFORE THE OCCUPATION 104 XII. TOWARDS SURRENDER "3 XIII. THE CAPITULATION OF SALONIKA . 117 XIV. SALONIKA AFTER THE CAPITULATION 139 XV. FROM USKUB TO MONASTIR 149 XVI. DEFEAT AND VICTORY 163 XVII. THE BULGARIAN MARCH TO SALONIKA 168 XVIII. THE GRECO-BULGARIAN WRANGLE . 185 XIX. THE GRECO-BULGARIAN WRANGLE continued 199 XX. THE LAST DAYS OF KING GEORGE OF GREECE 220 XXI. THE SERBO-GRECIAN ALLIANCE 231 XXII. THE WAR OF THE ALLIES . 243 IX
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