NationStates Jolt Archive


[World War I] Serbian Factbook

Riptide Monzarc
16-01-2006, 03:58
Population: 4,835,100 (closest approximation)
Peacetime Army size: 100,000
Wartime Army size: 250,000

Serbian Aviation: (attached to artillery units, not a seperate Air Force)

3 Henri Farman HF-20
4 Bleriot XI-2
2 Deperdussin Monocoque Type T
2 R.E.P. Type K
1 DUKS Biplane

- Balonsko odeljenje (Balloon Section)
2 Riedinger 540 cubic meter observation balloons (Germany, 1909)
- Vodonicna centrala (Hydrogen station)

- Golubija posta (Pigeon Postal Service)

Economy: Serbia has always had a very agrarian economy, relying heavily on agricultural exports to sustain itself monetarily. However, this is slowly being changed with rising tensions. Serbia's pittance of a manufacturing base is being slowly expanded and the focus is being shifted to military production in preparation for what is seen as an imminent Austro-Hungarian invasion.

History: The history of Serbia is a long and rich one. The people who now occupy Serbia migrated there in the 7th century AD. It enjoyed a long period of national unity in the Middle Ages, rising to fame throughout Europe. But then it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, where it was subjugated to harsh rule for many centuries.

In 1804 and 1815, Serbia lead two wars which saw its heightened autonomy from the Ottomans, who nonetheless continued to garrison troops in the Capital until 1867.

Meanwhile, in 1848, the Serbs in the Austrian Empire fought a war in which they also gained their autonomy, but not completely, from the Austrians.

In 1877, however, Serbia joined the war against the Ottomans and Russians, gaining its independance in the struggle. The Kingdom of Serbia was proclaimed in 1882.

In 1908, the Austro-Hungarian Empire sought to annex Bosnia and Herzegovenia, which the Kingdom of Serbia outrightly opposed. German and Austrian pressure, however, moved Russia to intercede and silence the Serbs. The caveat of this was that Russia promised to defend Serbia's sovereignty completely in the future.

In 1912, Serbia invaded Ottoman-held Macedonia with the assistance of her Balkan neighbors and claimed the state for herself, liberating the people there. Later that year and into the next, Bulgaria prosecuted a war against Serbia to take Macedonia, but the attempt failed.

Serbian nationalists in the Austro-Hungarian-held Bosnia have assassinated the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, sparking rumors of war. Already the Serbian Army is mobilising in defense of the country.