or a few companies at a
time. On the other hand the ground before them was broken up into
hollows screened by growing corn. This enabled the Austrians to deploy
their lines beyond the Serbian flanks unseen. They did execute just such
a movement, and attempted to circle around toward the Serbian rear.

At the same time the Serbians here were attacked from in front by
another hostile column which had come from across the plain on the south
side of the Jadar valley, where hollows, sunken roads, and fields of
corn again formed ample screening. However, in spite of all these
movements, the Serbians were able to hold their own. The Austrian
attacks were all beaten back. Their position might have been held
indefinitely, but developments to the south were taking on a threatening
form.

It will be remembered that an Austrian force had been reported
approaching from the south, moving on Krupanie, and that it had seemed
so insignificant that a small detachment of third reserve troops had
been sent to hold it back. But this enemy force now developed into three
mountain brigades.

Reenforcements of infantry and mountain artillery were hurried down to
support the retaining force, but the Austrians were able to force their
way on toward Zavlaka. Seeing Valievo thus threatened, the Serbians
retired from their position at Jarebitze and took up a new position
along a line from Marianovitche to Schumer, thus enabling them to face
both the enemy columns. This retreat was fortunately not interfered with
by the Austrians, though in executing it the Serbian artillery, which
had been in position on the right bank of the Jadar, was obliged to pass
along the Austrian front in single file, in order to gain the main road.

Early the next morning, August 17, 1914, the Serbians were in position
and had extended their line to Soldatovitcha, whence the detachment from
Krupanie had retired. Summing up the day's fighting, and considering it
as a whole, it will be seen that the Austrians had pretty well held
their own, except on their extreme left, where they had failed to get in
touch with their forces in Shabatz.

After the defeat of the Austrians at Belikamen on August 16, 1914, the
cavalry division was reenforced by some infantry and artillery, then
sent on the delicate mission of driving a wedge in between the Austrians
in Shabatz and those along the Drina. Spreading out across the Matchva
plain, its left wing up against the slopes of the Tzer