ula, known as the Kupinski Kut, was chosen as the point
at which the first crossing should be made.

CHAPTER LII

SERBIAN ATTEMPT TO INVADE AUSTRIAN TERRITORY

It was the night of September 5, 1914. So secretly was this movement
planned and begun that the Serbian field officers did not themselves
know what was to be undertaken when their forces arrived on the banks of
the river at the Kut on the nights of September 5 and 6. The marches
were made at night, to hide the movement as long as possible from the
Austrian aeroplanes, which occasionally whirred their flight over
Serbian territory.

At one o'clock in the morning of September 6, 1914, the first troops of
the invading expedition embarked on the barges lined up along the river
bank. A screening force having been ferried across, to protect the ford
against possible attack, the construction of a pontoon bridge was begun
at Novoselo, while farther up some flour mill floats were utilized for a
second bridge.

It was an ideal place for a crossing. Farther up, at the neck of the
isthmus, was an old river bed, where the Save had once cut a straight
channel. This was now full of stagnant water, while between it and the
ford the ground was covered with thick timber. The stagnant water, while
not very deep, afforded somewhat the same protection that a wire
entanglement would, and the woods served as a screen to the advance
guard of the Serbians stationed there to guard the crossing. Not far
distant, farther up in Austrian territory, was a small town, Obrez.

After the Serbian army had crossed safely, it set to work clearing the
timber away, it being no longer necessary to screen themselves from
view, and a strong line of trenches was thrown across the neck of the
isthmus, thus effectually protecting the ford for retreat, should that
be necessary.

At this moment two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery of
the enemy appeared and attempted to oppose the further advance of the
Serbians, but when the Serbian guns began shelling the forest opposite,
this force fled in the direction of Obrez. Then the left of the Serbian
force worked its way around toward the town itself and, after firing
some dozens of shells, entered it and drove the Austrians still farther
on.

The cavalry division now came up to secure possession of the town. The
two divisions then set to work to intrench themselves. Meanwhile the
Serbian right, advancing toward the northeast, encou