March on the River Drina

The film opens with Serbia declaring general mobilization on July 26, 1914, in Belgrade, signaling the approach of war and setting a tense, urgent mood. It introduces the protagonist, a young artillery officer from a wealthy banking family, who is slated for the artillery battery rather than the family’s preferred commission. This moment establishes the personal stakes and the path toward armed conflict.

The officer previously served on the commission that supplied guns during the Balkan Wars (1912–1913), and his family wants him back on the commission. He insists on joining the artillery battery and going to war with his comrades instead. The backstory explains his motivation to pursue frontline action over a safe post.

The artillery battery moves to western Serbia in anticipation of an Austro-Hungarian attack and is stationed in Arandjelovac while commanders plan. The deployment signals the preparing for imminent combat and the strategic shift toward the western theater. The men brace for the upcoming engagement.

In the Arandjelovac meeting, infantry Major Kursula argues that the main Austro-Hungarian attack will come via the Drina corridor, not across the Sava. The discussion shapes expectations for the invasion axis and the unit’s forthcoming orders. The debate reveals evolving Serbian strategic assumptions.

On August 10, the battery reaches Arandjelovac and awaits orders from commanders who are still at the meeting. Tensions run high as soldiers prepare for action and monitor the broader strategic discussions. The waiting period underscores the uncertainty of early war operations.

On August 14, the unit moves into Lazarevac for a brief stay before continuing, while the Supreme Command rejects the Sava-crossing theory and confirms the Drina route as the main axis of attack. The decision reshapes the battery’s redeployment toward the Drina front.

The division is redeployed to western Serbia toward the Drina, aligning with the new strategic assessment. The battery prepares for a potential engagement in difficult terrain and heavy fighting. The move marks a turning point in their deployment plan.

By August 15, the battery reaches the foot of Cer Mountain and immediately becomes part of the battle lineup. The men brace for intense fighting as the hill becomes a focal point of the conflict. The battlefield conditions test their resolve and training.

On August 16, the Combined Division pressures them, forcing a retreat from Cer Mountain to save lives. A sergeant disassembles a gun to ensure that it does not fall into enemy hands, a pragmatic act to deny the foe a crucial weapon. The retreat underscores the costs and improvisation of wartime defense.

After withdrawal, Major Kursula goes to Tekeriš to report to the army’s supreme commander, General Stepa Stepanović. In the late afternoon, the army conducts a counter-attack that reverses the enemy’s gains. The chain of command proves crucial in coordinating the defense.

The Serbian forces counter-attack successfully, driving the attackers back and forcing their withdrawal across the Drina River into Bosnia. The victory stabilizes the front and demonstrates the resilience of the Serbian army under pressure. This moment represents a pivotal turn in the battle sequence.

The events culminate in a transition from mobilization to frontline action, with the battery’s deployment, Cer Mountain combat, and the Drina crossing illustrating the harsh realities of 1914 Serbia. The narrative highlights personal sacrifice and strategic stakes that defined the early war period.