The Battle
From a strategic point of view the French success was useless - despite their efforts the enemy could not take any other Bulgarian position and Bitola remained within the range of Bulgarian artillery. But due to the symbolic meaning of the peak, Bulgarian commanders decided that it should not remain in the hands of the enemy.
The command of the 6th Vidin Division concentrated its whole artillery on the Red Wall. The infantry regiments were equipped with brand new German flame-throwers. With great effort the Bulgarians managed to install by hand six gun batteries on a nearby hill from which the French positions were clearly visible.
On 18 May hurricane artillery fire poured over the two French regiments on the Red Wall (6,000 men). The new batteries were especially effective. After two hours the Bulgarian troops, covered by artillery, stormed the enemy with hand grenades and flame-throwers, annihilating any resistance. After that one Bulgarian regiment attacked the French position on bayonette .259 French soldiers and 2 officers are the only survivours left on the Red Wall surrendered.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Monastir (1917)
Famous quotes containing the word battle:
“I remember the scenes of battle in which we stood together. I remember especially that broad and deep grave at the foot of the Resaca hill where we left those gallant comrades who fell in that desperate charge. I remember, through it all, the gallantry, devotion and steadfastness, the high-set patriotism you always exhibited.”
—Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901)
“One may confidently assert that when thirty thousand men fight a pitched battle against an equal number of troops, there are about twenty thousand on each side with the pox.”
—Voltaire [François Marie Arouet] (1694–1778)