Morava Offensive

{{Short description|Operation of the Bulgarian Army}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}

{{Infobox military conflict

|conflict=Morava Offensive

|image=M 107 9 réservistes serbes sur Morava.jpg

|caption=Serbian reservists near Morava river (Autumn 1915)

|partof=the Serbian campaign (1915)

|date=14 October 1915 – 9 November 1915

|place=front from Leskovac to Negotin, Serbia

|result= Bulgarian victory

|combatant1={{flagcountry|Kingdom of Bulgaria}}

|combatant2={{flagcountry|Kingdom of Serbia}}

|commander1={{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} Kliment Boyadzhiev

|commander2={{flagicon|Kingdom of Serbia}} Stepa Stepanovic

|strength1={{plainlist|

• First Army: 195,620 men
• 116,569 rifleman
• 108 machine guns
• 422 cannonsБългарската армия в Световната война, vol. II, pag. 892–905; Държавна печатница,София 1938

}}

|strength2={{plainlist|

• Second Army – 5 infantry divisions: 90,000 riflemen
• 94 machine guns
• 248 cannonsБългарската армия в Световната война, vol. II, pag. 918–921; Държавна печатница,София 1938

}}

|casualties1={{plainlist|

• 1,906 killed
• 10,637 wounded
• 925 missingБългарската армия в Световната война, vol. IV , pag. 1028; Държавна печатница,София 1940

}}

|casualties2=6,000 casualties

|campaignbox={{Campaignbox Serbia WWI}}

}}

The Morava Offensive Operation ({{langx|bg|Моравска настъпателна операция}}), ({{langx|sr|Битка на Морави}}) was undertaken by the Bulgarian First Army between 14 October 1915 and 9 November 1915, as part of the strategic offensive operation of Army Group Mackensen against Serbia in 1915. Under the command of Lieutenant General Kliment Boyadzhiev, the Bulgarians seized the fortified areas of Pirot, Niš and the valley of the river Morava. As a result, the Serbian forces were compelled to retreat towards Kosovo and Metohija.

Due to the harsh weather, the defenders' strong resistance and the rough terrain, early Bulgarian advance was slow. But because the defenders were severely outnumbered, the Bulgarians broke through near Pirot in 10 days, and the Serbs retreated to the Timok.

The battle continued for 27 days, and the Bulgarians penetrated up to {{nobr|90 km}} deep into Serbia's territory. The Serbs lost 6,000 men, 60 guns, and a large amount of military equipment.