Vardar Army Explained
The Vardar Army of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish: Vardar Ordusu) was one of the field armies under the command of the Western Army. It was formed during the mobilisation phase of the First Balkan War.
Order of Battle, October 19, 1912
On October 19, 1912, the army was structured as follows:[1]
- Vardar Army HQ (Serbian Front, concentration center: Kumanovo)
- V Corps
- VI Corps
- 17th Division, 18th Division
- Manastır Redif Division, Drama Redif Division
- VII Corps
- II Provisional Corps
- Uşak Redif Division, Smyrna Redif Division, Denizli Redif Division
- Firzovik Detachment
- Taşlıca Detachment
- Independent Cavalry Division
- 7th Cavalry Brigade, 8th Cavalry Brigade
Order of Battle, November 12, 1912
On November 12, 1912, the army was structured as follows:[2]
- Vardar Army HQ (Serbian Front, Monastir)
- Northern Group
- V Corps
- 13th Division
- 15th Division
- 5th Rifle Regiment
- 26th Cavalry Regiment
- 19th Artillery Regiment
- VII Corps
- Southern Group
- Southeastern Group
- 17th Division
- Manastır Redif Division
- Independent Cavalry Brigade
Order of Battle, November 16, 1912
On November 16, 1912, the army was structured as follows:[3]
- Vardar Army HQ (Serbian Front, Monastir)
- Left Flank Offensive Corps
- Right Flank Defensive Corps
- VII Corps
- V Corps
- 13th Division
- 15th Division
- 18th Division
Notes and References
- Edward J. Erickson, Defeat in Detail, The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913, Westport, Praeger, 2003, p. 170.
- Edward J. Erickson, Defeat in Detail, The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913, Westport, Praeger, 2003, p. 188.
- Edward J. Erickson, Defeat in Detail, The Ottoman Army in the Balkans, 1912–1913, Westport, Praeger, 2003, p. 191.
