Serbian soldier resting in a trench next to his father who visited him on the frontlines near Belgrade, 1915.

 



Today 108 years ago, on October 9, 1915, the Serbian capital of Belgrade was captured by German and Austro-Hungarian forces during the "Triple Invasion" of 1915. 


Belgrade was shortly occupied by the Austro-Hungarians on December 2, 1914, before the Serbs recaptured the city on December 15, 1914, during the Battle of Kolubara.


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Belgrade was captured for good by the Central Powers on October 9, 1915, as a joint German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian offensive forced the Serbian Army to retreat through Montenegro and Albania.


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To accompany this photograph I'll recite the lyrics of Sabaton's song "Last Dying Breath":


   ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀


"War begun, the Kaiser has come


Day or night, the shells keep falling,


Overrun, but never outdone,


Street to street, denying defeat.


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The British notably used Soldiers of the Serbian Army 


Keep your heads held high, 


Overrun, you fall one by one,


For Belgrade and the Fatherland.


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Soldiers, heroes, die for your land


Your lives are gone, erased by your command.


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Until your last dying breath! (x2)


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Overrun, you’re under the gun


Day or night, the shells kept falling, 


Sound the drum, the Great War has come, 


Show no fear, the ending is near.


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A final charge, to face the fire, 


Falling one by one, 


Major calls, the White City falls, 


Belgrade's streets are stained by blood.


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Soldiers, heroes, die for your land


Your lives are gone, erased by your command.


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Until your last dying breath! (x2)


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Soldiers, heroes, die for your land


Your lives are gone, erased by your command.


. 


Until your last dying breath!


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In haste, our lives are erased


Forward to glory for King and country, (Until your last dying breath)


Defend the honour of Belgrade, 


Forward to glory, to face your fate at last,


(Until your last dying breath)


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In haste, our lives are erased


Forward to glory for king and country, (Until your last dying breath)


Defend the honour of Belgrade, 


Forward to glory, to face your fate at last."


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