Losses of the Serbian Army in World War One and the Creation of Yugoslavia: Contribution to the Interpretation of the Causes and Circumstances of South Slav Unification

Abstract

This research paper is devoted to the issues of the human losses of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia in World War One and the interpretation of the consequences of these losses. It is claimed that the exceptionally high losses were a decisive factor which propelled the decision of the Serbian Government in favour of the formation of Yugoslavia. This fact was concealed during the life of the state of Yugoslavia. The paper draws on Russian and Serbian archival material which has not been processed to date.