We Marched Away into Serbia: The 10th (Irish) Division at Kosturino, December 1915

Published on 11 April 2021
Submitted by Alan Wakefield

Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, the 10th (Irish) Division was sent to the Balkans and landed in Salonika in October 1915. Moved inland to support the Serbs against the Bulgarians, the division crossed the border into Serbia but the Kosturino ridge was dominated by Bulgarian held ground.

Rain turned to snow and then into blizzard conditions. After the rigors of Gallipoli, the division was once again in unfamiliar lands fighting an unfamiliar enemy. They had to hold the line as long as possible to support a French withdrawal. The fighting was savage. 

This account of the first Allied military operation in what became the Salonika Campaign by Alan Wakefield of the IWM is supported by accounts from diaries and memoirs as well as contemporary and modern photographs of the battlefield.

We Marched Away into Serbia: The 10th (Irish) Division at Kosturino, December 1915
Key benefits of membership

Becoming a member of The Western Front Association (WFA) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's just three of the benefits we offer:

Bulletin Magazine Icon
Bulletin Magazine

This magazine provides updates on WW1 related news, WFA activities and events.

Virtual Battlefield Tours Icon
Virtual battlefield tours

Access online tours of significant WWI sites, providing immense learning experience.

Podcasts Ebinars Icon
Podcasts

Listen to over 300 episodes of the "Mentioned in Dispatches" podcast.

Other Articles

Gemini Generated Image 5Gquzz5gquzz5gqu
6 June 2026

Loyal to Empire - The Life of General Sir Charles Monro

Read more
Gemini Generated Image Ylj4wiylj4wiylj4
31 May 2026

The First World War career of René Fonck

Read more
Rnd Gallipoli (1)
24 May 2026

Jack Tar: Churchill’s Little Army at Gallipoli

Read more
Jardin Ward 3
18 May 2026

The other nurses of Mudros – France’s Red Cross at Lemnos, 1915

Read more
Gemini Generated Image 7D9krb7d9krb7d9k
12 May 2026

Francesco Baracca: Italian WW1 air ace and the Ferrari connection

Read more