Study travel and a history lesson at Draginje "Battle of Cer"

In the course of marking the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, the General Staff of Serbia organized a study travel and a history lesson at Draginje village where, in mid-August in 1914, General Stepa Stepanovic had formed the commanding spot of the Second Army.

The history lesson on the beginning of the Battle of Cer, the first victory of the Alliance in the Great War, was attended, among the rest, by Head of the General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic with members of the Collegium and closest associates, and representatives of the Ministry of Defence.

In Draginje, replicas of the commanding spot of the Second Army were shown, and the position of the Maksim machine gun and the watchtowers from where the future Field Marshal Stepa Stepanovic overlooked the breakthrough of the Austria-Hungarian Second Army to Cer. The ambient was completed with authentic items and objects from the First World War, property of the Museum of the City of Koceljeva, the Military Museum and the Historical Museum of Belgrade.

The watchtower was arranged according to watchtowers of the same period, and so were the costumes of members of the Second Army Command. During the history lesson in Draginje, a simulation of the Second Army Command’s work organization was held, and the officer playing and wearing the uniform of Stepa Stepanovic read the Order of the Supreme Command and the Field Marshal’s order to march towards Cer.

The Battle of Cer, which took place in August, 1914, is one of the most significant and greatest victories of the Serbian Military in the First World War. At the same time, it is a shining example of tactically well-designed and conducted military operation, and was the first victory of the Alliance over the Central Powers. By winning the glorious Battle of Cer, the members of the Serbian Military, led by General Stepa Stepanovic, gave the entire Europe an example of infinite courage and patriotism.