Српска војска у предвечерје епохе ратова 1912–1920
Serbian Army Before The War Era 1912–1920

Summary/Abstract: Serbian Army, as it was known from the period before the War era (1912–1920), was created during the 80’s and 90’s of XIX century, as a professional institution, based on basically positive selection and in accordance with the Prussian organizational pattern. King Milan Obrenović and Serbian officers educated abroad (especially in Prussia) played the most important role in its successful development in that period. Thanks to the institutions created for professional military education and very serious system of selection, Serbia managed to form very capable and professional Officer Corps and well trained and modern technically equipped Armed Forces. During the period of modernization, military expenses were the largest part of the whole state budget, reaching between 30 and 44%. The crisis of military professionalism in Serbia started with the Coup d’état in May 1903 and continued during the whole period, reaching its peak with the creation of the secret officer’s society „Black Hand“ in 1911. However, the Serbian Army managed to preserve the basic values of the professional system and it was manifested to a great extend during the period of national liberation wars 1912–1920. According to the opinion of the author, it was professional military organization, instead of individuals, that played the key role in the great Serbian victories gained in that period.

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