914, the Austrians had extended their line over to
the Serbian right wing.

Unfortunately, at about that time the Third Army again called for
assistance, and this hard-pressed division was compelled to send it. The
result was that it was compelled to withdraw gradually to the heights of
Kalem. The retirement was executed in good order, and the Austrians
satisfied themselves with occupying Kugovitchi. Intrenching themselves
in their new position, the Serbians awaited further attacks. Only an
ineffectual artillery fire was maintained by the enemy. Meanwhile came
the good news of the success of the Serbians along the Tzer ridges, so
preparations were made for another advance on the following day, August
18, 1914.

As has already been stated, the extreme south wing of the Serbian front,
the Third Army, had retreated the day before so that it could present a
solid front against not only the forces opposing it, but also another
column coming up from the south, whose advance had been inadequately
covered by third reserve men. Here the Austrians attempted to pierce the
Serbian line in the extreme south and come out at Oseshina. But though
vastly outnumbered, the Serbians held their ground stoutly until late
afternoon, when, as already shown, they were compelled to ask the
division operating along Iverak for assistance. When this help came they
were able to resume their defense.

Thus ended the second day of the general battle. On the whole the
Austrians had suffered most, but the general situation was still
somewhat in their favor. The Austrian center, along the Tzer ridges, had
been pushed back. To retrieve this setback the logical course for the
Austrian commander in chief was to curl his wings in around the Serbian
flanks. That he appreciated this necessity was obvious, to judge from
the furious onslaughts against the Serbian Third Army in the extreme
south. But to weaken the Serbian center by these tactics it was also
necessary to free the Austrians in Shabatz, or, at least, it was
necessary that they should assume a strong offensive against the
extreme right of the Serbians, and, if possible, flank them.

But the Serbians anticipated the plans of the Austrians. Additional
reenforcements were sent to the extreme right with orders to spare no
sacrifice that would keep the Austrians inclosed within their
fortifications around Shabatz.

And true enough, next morning, August 18,1914, shortly after the hot
summer sun had r