Chapter 72: Volume 2 Chapter 7: Ottoman Invasion of Montenegro (1)

Ottoman Invasion in Montenegro

The border between the Ottoman Empire and the Principality of Montenegro

Lively and bustling scenes fill the border as thousands of Ottoman soldiers are stationed more than a mile from the border. Every ottoman soldier is busy wearing their uniforms and preparing weapons and things necessary for the operation that would be conducted today.

As today is the day of the deadline for the demands that the Ottomans have given to the Principality. The terms essentially demand the Principality to nominally become a vassal to the Ottomans and lose its sovereignty as a free and independent nation. Rejecting the Ottoman offer would mean war between the Principality and the Empire.

The Ottomans who were stationed for weeks at the border has been in high morale and confidence that this war would be an easy one. The Principality is very small compared to the Ottoman Empire, there are even more Ottoman soldiers who would invade it than its total population. The battle had been clearly won before it even started.

The Ottomans might lose the few wars between them, but it is because the Ottomans have not sent an army large enough to suppress the Principality. But this time is different, the Ottoman has mobilized a very large number of troops to thoroughly crush and end once and for all the existence and independence of the Principality.

Sultan Abdul Mehmed V wants to follow the greatness of his ancestors like Mehmed II the second who conquered Constantinople. For Sultans, conquest and expansion are a necessity to show that there are competent and strong rulers and Sultan Mehmed V is eyeing to expand in the Balkans as a way to show its strength.

For centuries, the Ottomans have dreamed of expanding their empire in Europe and there are attempts to do so like their war against the Habsburgs and the sieges of Vienna. But every attempt of these has failed to produce results, their conquest would also be thwarted by their enemies and rivals.

But now, with the Ottomans allied with the Germans, they feel comfortable that they can expand to the eastern part of the Austrian Empire while the Germans can have the rest if they want it. The Ottoman military is it is at its peak strongest for decades and in this region, they are the strongest force to be reckoned with.

Even the British and the French needed to take the Ottomans' stance and influence into consideration regarding issues in the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean. The Principality of Montenegro is only a tiny state compared to the power and influence of the Ottomans and it seems that the Ottoman has enough of this tiny thorn on its side.

General Ekber Tuncer is now at the border leading two of his divisions in preparation for the Invasion of Montenegro. He observed the men in his camp with watchful eyes. This is his proper war after a long time of fighting irregulars and rebels in the Balkan regions so he feels nervous but also excited. The honor and prestige that he can gain in this campaign are vastly superior to fighting rouge and rebel elements in the empire.

All his men are having a good time and talking about the glory and loot that they can gain. General Ekber feels optimistic as his men are bursting with energy. The Principality of Montenegro is already given an extension to the 4th of January at noon for a response to the deal and they are just waiting for the time to come whether the Principality would fight or not. As of now, there are no concrete responses sent by the Principality and it seems that war would be inevitable.

“General”

“General”

“General”

Men salute and greet General Ekber as he trotted across the Ottoman camp. Men are cleaning their rifles and preparing their things as the noon deadline is only a few minutes away. Some are going to the camp mess hall to get some food and consumables for the days to come. While some are praying to Allah for guidance and luck to survive this operation.

He knows that his men are excited to fight a formal war for they have grown weary of fighting rebels and irregulars who fight in unconventional warfare. Many men from different parts of the Empire have volunteered to be sent here to fight in the upcoming war as they see this war as a way for greatness, honor, and riches.

For soldiers, war has always been a great way to earn their honor, prestige, and wealth and this war would be no different. Especially since they are now fighting an external enemy and a country that has been able to thwart the previous attempts of the Ottoman Empire, there would be no greater honor and prestige to be gained than this enemy which is a thorn in the eyes of the Ottoman sultan.

General Ekber then enters his general’s tent where some of his officers are already waiting for him. The central command of the Ottoman Army commanded each general to never disclose the operational and tactical arrangement of the army to their officers until a few minutes before the end of the deadline and the start of the operation.

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And now that it would be a few minutes before the deadline, he calls his officers to brief them on their objectives and tasks. When the officers noticed that the General has returned, all of them had a stand on attention and salutes him. General Ekber then salutes back and orders them to be at ease. He can see that all the officers are also excited and optimistic about the operation, he can see in their eyes the greed of men for prestige, glory, and wealth.

“This is the area of the Operation that we are assigned to, the Moratcha region.”

In the table, there is a huge map showing the northern region of the Principality – Moratcha region. This region is where he and his men are assigned to conduct their operation against the Montenegrin forces in the region.

“The Sultan has ordered us to take this region and reach Lipitsa in less than a week. We would advance in three groups with the center under my command while you too would lead the left and right groups.”

General Ekber points to the map where would the troops are to be deployed. All 30,000 men of the two divisions under his command would be divided into three groups – Center, Left, and Right groups. Both left and Right groups would be consists of about 9,000 troops each while the center would have 12,000 troops under General Ekber’s command. The Left and Right groups were commanded by two of his most trusted officers under his command.

Each group has its own objectives and areas of the operation and it needs to be finished in less than a week and all of them would unite to take Lipitsa. There are also other army groups commanded by other Ottoman Generals in the area and they could coordinate with them if need be. But most of the Generals and officers would not cooperate with one another as the accomplishment and rewards would be divided.

All the officers present, including General Ekber, didn’t see the Montenegrins as a threat to their forces. Even if it is an independent and free nation, the small size and population it has to mean it can’t compete with powers like the Ottoman Empire which has a large territory and population of tens of millions.

“Officers, I want you to finish your objectives in three days and we would take Lipitsa on the fourth day. We must show the Great Sultan that we are strong and I heard that the Sultan would personally inspect the frontline in a few days. If we can be noticed by the Sultan, our future is set in stone.”

“Yes sir”

“Yes sir”

“Yes sir”

General Ekber wants to impress the higher-ups, especially the Sultan that who is rumored to inspect the battlefield a few days from now, that they have contributed and achieved their contribution faster than others. He wants to gain the favor of the Sultan so that his rank and power would increase and he also knows that the other Generals would do the same.

For the Ottoman Generals and officers, it is not the Montenegrins who are the enemy but it is their fellow officers who also want to earn more merits and loot in the war. They didn’t even see the Montenegrins as a threat but more of a way to earn merit and power.

The officers also want to earn glory and power in this war, for men in this age, war is a very profitable venture. The wealth and power that they can have in war are vastly different from those that can be earned during peacetime. It can change the fates of men quickly, from poor to powerful individuals in the empire.

General Ekber even called his servant to get the precious wine that he stashed in his luggage so that he and his officers could drink before the war would start. They don’t seem to mind that the Montenegrins are preparing for a stalwart defense beyond their imagination, the Ottomans would pay dearly for their carelessness and neglect. Blood will soon fill the battlefield.

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Last Chapter to post before I would take a long rest. To anyone who wants to read more and advanced chapters, you can visit my Patreon Page.

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