Liberation of Vranje

Battle for Vranje
Part of Serbian–Ottoman War (1876–78)
Date26–31 January 1878
LocationSurroundings of Vranje, South Serbia
Result

Serbian victory;

  • Liberation of Vranje after centuries of Ottoman rule
  • Retreat of Ottoman army towards Kumanovo
  • Emigration of Ottoman and Jewish families from Vranje and surroundings
Belligerents
 Principality of Serbia  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Jovan Belimarković
Stepa Stepanović		 Asaf Pasha
Ibrahim Pasha
Units involved
  • Šumadija Corps
  • Volunteer Corps
  • 12 infantry battalions
  • 2 cavalry squadrons
  • 300 Albanian irregulars
Strength
  • 8,500 soldiers
  • 22 cannon
  • 15,000 soldiers
  • 8 cannon
Casualties and losses
207 killed, 308 wounded 630 killed, 1,236 wounded, 1,635 POWs

The Liberation of Vranje (Serbian: Ослобођење Врања) or Battle for Vranje, represented one of the final stages of the second phase of the Serbian–Ottoman War (1876–78). At the beginning of the war, the Serbian army started the offensive on what is today South Serbia. After Battle of Grdelica, the Serbian army managed to break into the Masurica valley and thus left the road to Vranje open. At the same time, many rebellions broke out in the Serbian-Ottoman border areas against the Ottoman authority, including the Vranje region. The Serbian command decided to, in order to help the rebels, send Lt. Stepa Stepanović with the task to form a special rebel battalion.

General Jovan Belimarković was the head commander of the Serbian Army and his forces were deployed east of the South Morava river. Leader of the Ottoman forces was Division General Asaf Pasha. His forces were deployed west of the South Morava river. Officially, the battle began on 26 January 1878, when Serbian forces began to transfer to the west side of the river and it culminated in a great battle on 31 January. About 22,000 Serbian soldiers participated in the successful liberation of the town.

During the battle, Lt. Stojičević who was killed on Devotin just north of the town was noticed for his bravery. Mayor Radomir Putnik also had a task to pursue retreating Ottoman forces towards Bujanovac and Preševo.

After the Treaty of San Stefano, citizens of Vranje feared that the area would be conceded to the Principality of Bulgaria, and thus sent a letter to Serbian Prince Milan Obrenović with the plea not to withdraw the army from Vranje. It officially became part of Serbia after the Congress of Berlin.

Background

The second Serb-Ottoman War started on 13. December 1877. According to war plan the Serbian army planned to launch offensive towards Nišava, Toplica and South Morava rivers in Niš-Leskovac region. At the begging of 1878, Serbian army had many successes so the front was expanded and included whole South Morava basin, reaching as far as Preševo and Preševska Moravica, including Vitina towards Kosovo and Metohija.[1]

Serbian regular army with the help of Volunteer Corp and local revolutionaries has liberated Surdulica and Vladičin Han, as well as many villages in Vlasina region on 23. January 1878. The next day Volunteer Corp sent a group of officers from Priboj and non-commissioned officers to Serbian villages that were still under Ottoman control with the task of encouraging people to revolt against the Ottomans.[2]

Under the order of the First Šumadija division commander, Lt. Stepa Stepanović was sent from Priboj on 25. January to the villages in Poljanica region to gather revolted people and attack Ottoman forces behind their back. He was appointed as a commander the newly formed of Volunteer Company from the Kragujevac brigade fighters. They were to form the battalion and to arm it well. When he arrived in Poljanica he got in contact with rebel leaders: Vasilije Popović, Stojiljkom Popovićem i Simeonom Stojiljkovićem. With their help he formed Rebel battalion that consisted from the people of Golemo Selo, Gradnja, Studena, Kruševa Glava, Tumba, Drenovac, Sikirje, Vlase and other Poljanica villages.[2]

The next day strong forces of Volunteer Corp marched from Priboj to Vranjska Banja as an avant-garde of Šumadija Corp. One company spotted the Ottoman defense positions that was guarded by 200 Ottoman regular company and around 200 Muslim citizens near Banja. As soon as the fight started, Serbian company was aided by newly arrived battalion so the Ottoman unit was routed and forced to flee to Vranje. Then Serbian units entered Vranjska Banja officially liberating it. During that fight 28 Ottoman soldiers and 6 Albanians died. After that Serbian forces has taken a bridge across the South Morava river that was important strategic point for crossing South Morava river.[2]

Beginning

The same day, the fight for liberation started. A detachment of rebels from Vranje region, alongside a company of the Volunteer Corp, transferred from the east coast to the west coast of South Morava river in order to scout the Ottoman forces just outside of Vranje, and gather information about them. In order to be more successful, the Serbian soldiers dressed in uniforms of fallen Ottomans. They managed to get near to the Ottoman forces and from one hillock they gathered information about the positions of Ottoman forces and their fortifications. However, they were soon discovered and fired upon, so they retreated with low casualties.[3]

During 27. January, Serbian units and rebel detachments concentrated their forces from the direction of Vranjska Banja and Priboj. For more bucketful command, the same day Serbian headquarter was transferred from Leskovac to Vladičin Han. There were little clashes near Pašin Govedarnik and Popovo Gumno. Ottoman units were pushed towards Vranje and Moštanica, bridge on South Morava and road that leads towards Korbevac were taken by the Serbian army. Encouraged by this success, Serbs started to gather forces near Vranje, and commander of Šumadija Corp general Jovan Belimarković decided that Serbs should gradually attack Ottomans in order to surround them in Vranje and eventually attack the town.[4][5]

To realize the plan of Belimarković, commanders of Šumadija Corps issued an order to take fighting positions on January 28. Smederevo Brigade was ordered to act as a vanguard while moving alongside the South Morava river. The main forces of this brigade were located in the village of Priboj, while protruded forces were in the village of Mazarać. This brigade took fighting positions from Moštanica bridge on the South Morava river, to the surroundings of Bresnica and Ranutovac village. One battalion of this brigade took positions above Vranjska Banja and Korbevac. On the right side of the South Morava was the Volunteer Corps which received one battalion of Smederevo brigade. [5][4] Rebel detachments from Vlasina, Vlasotince and Masurica joined the Volunteer Corps significantly increasing attack power of the Šumadija Corps. Second Šumadijska division penetrated into Poljanica from the direction of Veternica river and Porečje in order to encircle the Ottoman forces in Vranje. At the same time, the Šumadija Corps headquarters was transferred from Vladičin Han to the village of Stubal.[6]

The Battle of Vranje

Serbian forces and their layout

The command of Šumadija Corps had a meeting on 29. January in Priboj to discuss the plan for the attack on Vranje and to effect the deployment of units towards the Ottoman positions. It was decided that the main axis of attack be Bresnica and Moštanica heights. Serbian Army units had less than twice manpower then the Ottoman units. Šumadija Corps consisted of 7,000 fighters grouped in 12 battalions, one squadron of cavalry and 22 cannons. To this there must be added the Volunteer Corps, which had about 1,500 fighters as well as insurgent units from the Vranje area.[7]

General Jovan Belimarković, the main commander of Serbian forces in the battle.

The First field battery took positions at the Dva brata mountain, where it entrenched and took positions on the banks of the South Morava and the road Vranje - Vladičin Han. Then, the Fourth battery was dug on the heights above Bresnica stream. In reserve was the Third battery, located under Moštanica village.[8][9][10]

Belgrade Brigade was stationed between the villages of Moštanica and Bresnica. Second Šumadijska Division, with some units of Volunteer Corps and the rebels received task to move towards Ottoman defensive positions on the mountain of Pljačkovica. Second Lepenica Battalion, two companies of engineers and two mountain guns were transferred to the village of Drenovac. Kragujevac and Kolubara Battalions reinforced with the rebel detachments from Poljanica, took up positions near the Beljanica and Devotin villages at the base of Pljačkovica. Miner Brigade was deployed as a backup in Mazarać and Moštanica, while the Fourth Battalion of this brigade (also as a reserve) was placed at the Popovo gumno; Second Artillery Regiment and the cavalry were located as a reserve in Priboj.[8][9][10]

In the report of Šumadija Corps Command dated on 28. January 1878, states that on the positions at Moštanica and Priboj alongside regular army "newly arrived rebels from Tran and Vlasotince under the command of Lieutenant Sokolov" took part in the fighting. They have joined the Serbians on 29. January in the fighting near the village of Kumarevo. According to local tradition, detachment was formed from the insurgent fighters of Vranje and suburban areas. After the formation, detachment was named Kumarevo detachment and was composed of artisans, merchants, poor urban citizens, farmers and laborers from Vranje.[8]

All of these units, especially the artillery, had to take their positions during the night so that Ottomans couldn't find out their positions and preparations for the attack. All night (between 28. and 29. January) preparations were carried out. Food was divided, spare ammunition, a field hospital was set up to accept wounded fighters and in some units there were replenishment of manpower. The Staff command of Šumadija Corps issued orders for a preparations of the reserve positions at Mazarać in case Serbian Army is forced to retreat. [8][9][10]

Ottoman forces and their layout

Ottoman defense of Vranje consisted of 15,000 fighters - 12 infantry battalions, 2 cavalry squadrons, 8 guns, and about 3,000 Arbanasi fighters. Commander of the defense of Vranje was Divisional General Asaf Pasha, other commanders were Brigadier Generals Ibrahim Pasha and Esad Pasha, while the Albanian units (Bashi-bazouks) were commanded by Dibralija. The Ottoman army was armed with the most modern Peabody-Martini rifles and Krupp cannons.[11][12][10][13]

One of the main fortifications of the Ottoman defense positions was on Pljačkovica mountain towards which Second Šumadija Division of the Serbian army marched. Another important strategic defense point of the Ottoman army was Čevrljuge hill towards which units of the First Šumadija Division and Volunteer Corps marched.[11][14] In the village of Ranutovac and on Two brothers mounatin, the Ottoman army had a trench fortifications. The Ottoman army had layout in a manner of which they could cover with fire all entrances to Vranje from all directions.[15]

Length of the front was about 10 kilometers. However, the Ottomans could not cover every defense point, because they did not have enough manpower and defense power, so therefore they occupied only certain positions and concentrated there their forces. These positions were not connected good to each other and the resources were not on satisfactory level. Connections among position was maintained by using a courier service. Rims of Ranutovac forest were fortified well with trenches, which were laid out facing Moštanica village. The best fortified and most connected position of the Ottoman army was the line Čevrljuge hill - Dva brata with the length of about 2 km. It was the strongest defensive point of Vranje and its Ottoman crew.[15]

The Battle

Šumadija Corps Command wanted attack to begin at noon on January 29th. However, as the Ottoman reconnaissance revealed the preparation of the Serbian army attack, Ottomans started first and at 10.30 AM began offensive from all of their positions simultaneously: from Ranutovac, Dva brata mountain, from Vranje and Čevrljuga hill. When the Ottomans units got close to 300-500 meters in front of the Serbian army lines, commander of the First Šumadija Division issued an order that the artillery from the entire front opened fire on upcoming Ottoman units, after which, under the protection of artillery, the Serbian infantry started to attack. Fierce battles were fought continuously for about three hours and Serbian units were halted due to the strong Ottomans attacks.[16][17]

Around 14:00 PM, Ottoman units have managed to suppress the Serbian army in the middle and take the position of Kamen on the right bank of the Bresnica stream. Kosmaj Battalion, who defended the position, was decimated and forced to withdraw to the Moštanica cuts. The commander of the First Šumadija Division in order to halt the progression of the Ottoman army and regain lost positions inserted the reserve: two battalions (Second Grocka and First Danube Battalion), as well as the Third field battery.[16][17]

At that time, to the battle positions near Vranje was appointed commander of the Šumadija Corps General Jovan Belimarković, who took over direct command of the Serbian army. The basic Belimarković's plan was to collect data on whether the Ottoman attack involved all units of their forces or a certain part of it was left as a reserve. According to the collected data, it turned out that the Ottomans involved the entire military structure that was available to them. Therefore, the Serbian team decided to attack the following position Kumarevo - Šuplji kamen - Toplac - Katalenac near Zlatokop bridge. At the bridge there were two entrenched camps with about 2,000 Ottoman soldiers and one cannon.[18]

Lieutenant Stepa Stepanović played quite an important role in the Liberation of Vranje. Rebel battalion under his command not only managed to liberate Poljanica, but also attacked Ottoman forces from behind at Devotin and Grot mountain, which demoralized Ottomans.

As the main Ottoman forces were concentrated on the Čevrljuge hill, general Belimarković issued command to the First Šumadija Division to prepare for the attack and conquer the Čevrljuge. For the attack on Čevrljuge, Morava Battalion of the Rudnik Brigade was enlisted to carry it out. There was a real duel between Serbian and Ottoman artillery that lasted several hours. Then followed a continuous onslaught of Serbian infantry reinforced with reserve units. There was significant losses on both sides. The Ottoman army suffered frontal and lateral assaults, and around 16. P.M. was forced to withdrew from the frontal positions, while the Serbian units continued to attack in order to prevent the opponent to take a new defensive positions. After that, units of Second Gruža Batallion and one company of Volunteer Corps won over Ćviki and Čevrljuge positions. This was the biggest success of Serbian army which demolished the Ottoman frontal defense outside of Vranje. [19][17][20]

Serbian forces managed to take over the village of Ranutovac, while the Ottoman units from Pljačkovica attacked the Serbian positions at Struganica village, with the intention to encircle the First Šumadija Division. But Serbian units have repelled the attacks, returning Ottomans to their original positions. Ottoman units also attacked from Krstilovica the Second Šumadija Division which included company of rebels at the Devotin under the command Stepa Stepanović.[21]

The attack on the Vranje was continued on January 30th. At 9 o'clock Serbian soldiers were able to carry by hand a cannon on the mount Grot that overlooks Belanovce village. From this positions they bombarded Ottoman positions above Devotin. Then the company under the command of Lt. Stepe Stepanovic attacked the Turkish defense units on Goč. At the same time they were joined by two companies of Second Lepenica Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Stojičević. After two hours of bloody battle, the Ottoman forces left their positions on Goč and Devotin, while Stojičević was killed in battle.[22]

The command of Šumadija Corps during the day issued an ordered the Second Division to attack and break the Ottoman defense units at Pljačkovica. For this attack they have spared two mountain and two light cannons. The guns are set in quite short time near Pljačkovica. When the Ottoman units noticed Serbian soldiers, they unsuccessfully tried to resist them by gunfire. Serbian units not only managed to remain at given positions, but they moved closer to about 200 meters and opened fire on them. The battle was fought for several hours, but due to darkness it has stopped.[23]

General Jovan Belimarković issued an order that all infantry units fortify captured positions during the night of January 30th and 31st. Furthermore the artillery was to be placed on a new suitable spots in order to successfully bombard enemy. The entire reserve was activated and directed to the front. As a backup, near Kumarevo two more cannons are transferred and given a task to perform artillery fire on Vranje and Ottoman back on 31st January. The commandments laid out a plan to form easily movable detachment that will pursue fleeing enemy not allowing him to regroup and fortify new defense positions. As commander of that detachment Major Radomir Putnik was appointed. The detachment consisted whole First Rudnik Battalion and Volunteer Corps, with one squadron of cavalry and two guns.[23]

In the night between 30. and 31. January, the Ottoman units withdrew from Čevrljuge and Kamen positions, as the command of the Turkish troops decided to take up positions between Suvodol stream and Vranjska river. These positions were good for the defense of Vranje, and withdrawal of the Ottoman forces was unknown to Serbian HQ. In the morning of January 31st, the Šumadija Corps Command issued an order that the Serbian army should continue to attack with a goal to occupy and liberate Vranje. However, at the same time the Ottoman forces were trying to occupy positions on Suvodol, which led to open field fighting.[24]

The Ottomans were surprised seeing Serbian forces marching towards Suvodol, which created the fear and panic in their ranks. Serbian scouts opened a fire before Turkish scouts managed to do the same. At the same time, Serbian artillery opened fire from Kumarevo positions on Ottoman infantry. This created significant losses in Ottoman ranks, so they began to retreat towards Vranje and furthermore. Without a significant fighting during that day Serbian army after short weapon engagement finally liberated Vranje. The first units who entered the town was Volunteer Corps units, together with rebels from surrounding area.[24]

Consequences

People of Vranje warmly greeted Serbian liberators, and the town was decorated with flags and ćilims. Around 13 PM, on 31. January 1878 general Jovan Belimarković solemnly marched into town together with the command of the Šumadija Corps. Vranje was formally surrendered to the Serbian army by the prominent Ottoman feudal lord Ramiz Paša Husejinpašić. General Belimarković accepted the surrender and it was promised to Turks of Vranje personal freedom and property safety, which was entered into the act of surrender of Vranje. However, it was recorded that there was a robbery of Turkish and Serbian shops. General Belimarković greeted people with the short speech, thanked them for their help with the battle and congratulated them liberation. After that, they all gathered and went to the local Congregational Church where Archpriest I. Petrović greeted the liberators of Vranje. On the same day, Belimarković appointed commander of the town which was entrusted with the armed units, in order to ensure the safety of all citizens. Killed fighter of Vranje were buried in the cemetery, while the wounded were partly retained in the Vranje's hospital for treatment, and partly sent to Leskovac's hospital.[25]

Losses

Serbian losses

Serbian manpower losses
Regular army[1]
Killed 122
Wounded 229
Total 351
Rebels and volunteers[26]
Killed 85
Wounded 79
Total 164

Of total wounded 70 were from contemporary Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania; 3 wounded from Republic of Macedonia, 4 from Croatia and 2 from Germany.[27] Killed Serbian soldiers were buried on several places, but most of them are buried in Moštanica (Mahala Osatica).[28]

Ottoman losses

Total Ottoman losses
Manpower[1]
Killed 630 soldiers and officers
Wounded 1.236 soldiers and officers
Captured 1.635 soldiers and officers
Total 3.549 soldiers and officers
Captured weapons and military equipment[1]
Rifles 2.725 rifles (of those 2.537 Martin models)
Revolvers 148
Bandoleers 1.676
Bullets 27.689
War trumpets 33
Crates of ammunition 31

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 123-126.
  2. 1 2 3 Vukanović 1978, p. 123-126.
  3. ↑ Popović 1950, p. 548..
  4. 1 2 Ilić 1977, p. 156.
  5. 1 2 Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 123-124.
  6. ↑ Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 26.
  7. ↑ Vukanović 1978, p. 29.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Vrhovna komanda 1978, p. 29.
  9. 1 2 3 Popović 1950, p. 548.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Ilić 1977, p. 157-159.
  11. 1 2 Vrhovna komanda 1978, p. 126;130—131.
  12. ↑ Popović 1950, p. 342.
  13. ↑ Milićević 1844, p. 299.
  14. ↑ Ilić 1977, p. 158-159.
  15. 1 2 Vukanović 1978, p. 28.
  16. 1 2 Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 126-127.
  17. 1 2 3 Ilić 1977, p. 161—166.
  18. ↑ Vukanović 1978, p. 30.
  19. ↑ Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 128.
  20. ↑ Popović 1950, p. 537 and 542.
  21. ↑ Vukanović 1978, p. 32.
  22. ↑ Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 128-129.
  23. 1 2 Vukanović 1978, p. 32-33.
  24. 1 2 Vrhovna komanda 1878, p. 128-130.
  25. ↑ Vukanović 1978, p. 34.
  26. ↑ Stojančić 1969, p. 98—100.
  27. ↑ Стојанчевић 1969, p. 98—100.
  28. ↑ I., M. (24 January 2016). "Počelo obeležavanje Dana Vranja". Južne vesti. Retrieved 24 August 2016.

Literature

  • Skoko, Savo; Opačić, Petar (1990). Vojvoda Stepa Stepanović u ratovima Srbije 1876—1918. Belgrade: BIGZ. ISBN 86-13-00453-9. 
  • Vukanović, Tatomir (1978). Vranje; etnička istorija i kulturna baština vrawskog gravitacionog područja u doba oslobođenja od Turaka 1878. Vranje: Worker's university in Vranje. 
  • Vrhovna komanda (1878). Rat Srbije sa Turskom za oslobođenje i nezavisnost 1877—1878. Belgrade: Vrhovna komanda srpske vojske. 
  • Ilić, Nikola P. (1977). Oslobođenje južne Srbije 1877—1878. Belgrade: Sloboda. 
  • Stojančević, Vladimir (1969). Narodni pokret za oslobođenje i lokalni ustanci u niškom sandžaku za vreme srpsko-turskog rata 1877—1878. године. Leskovac: Leskovački zbornik knj. 9. 
  • Popović, Sreten L. (1950). Putovanje po novoj Srbiji (1878. и 1880). Beograd: Srpska književna zaddruga. 
  • Milićević, Milan Đ. (1884). Kraljevina Srbija. Beograd: Novi krajevi. 
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