December 1915, Irish 10th division held their ground to slow down army of 90.000, so the Serbian army and civilians have a chance to retreat.
Thanks to them, Serbian army avoided total destruction, been given chance to retreat over Albania to Greece, reorganize, and strike back.
They just came from Gallipoli massacre, in their summer uniforms. Before battle even started, 1000 of them had to be treated for frostbites.
Still, they held down Bulgarian army in mountain passage to the Vardar valley, just enough so the Serbian civilians and army can avoid total annihilation. Im always avoiding to talk about numbers of people died, but in first wave, in battle hand to hand, 138 soldiers, mostly from Dublin fussillers.
If you go to research something about 10th, theres always word ‚‚forgotten" next to it.
Still, story about them survived harsh times of communism, mostly through stories told by veterans.
There is monument on a border of former Serbian Kingdom, near Dorjan lake, with Celtic cross monument and text:
“Do cum gloire Dé and Onóra na hÉireann. In memory of those of the Xth Irish Division who fell on Gallipoli and in defence of Serbia and of all Irishmen who gave their lives in the Great War RIP”
more than century later, 10th is still not forgotten. at least where it really counts.
century later is also perfect time for some Serbian band playing Irish music:
sources: intervju.rs, frontal.rs
