14 Facts About Radomir Putnik

Radomir Putnik's career, spanning every major conflict involving Serbia from 1876 to 1917, left a lasting impact on Serbian military strategy and national identity.

Radomir Putnik was born on 12 January 1847 in Kragujevac, Principality of Serbia.

Radomir Putnik's family originated in Kosovo but fled to the Habsburg monarchy during the Great Serb Migration of 1690.

Radomir Putnik continued his education in Russia and later joined the General Staff of the Serbian Army.

Radomir Putnik was promoted to colonel in 1889 and became deputy chief of the General Staff in 1890.

Radomir Putnik's career was affected by political conflicts, particularly with King Milan I Putnik's refusal to support a favoured protege of the monarch led to tensions.

Radomir Putnik was rehabilitated following the coup d'etat against Alexander I Obrenovic in 1903.

Radomir Putnik secured a crucial victory at the Battle of Bregalnica in 1913 defeating the Bulgarians in the Second Balkan War.

The king refused, insisting that Radomir Putnik continue to lead the army in a strategic capacity, while younger generals such as Stepa Stepanovic, Zivojin Misic, and Petar Bojovic assumed operational duties.

Radomir Putnik successfully orchestrated the campaign, culminating in Serbia's victory over Austro-Hungarian offensives during the Battle of Cer and the Battle of Kolubara in August and September 1914, driving the enemy out of Serbia by December.

In early 1915, Prince Alexander sought to assume direct command of the army, a proposal that Radomir Putnik firmly opposed on constitutional grounds, arguing that a monarch could not take on such a responsibility.

Radomir Putnik felt deeply embittered upon learning of his dismissal in a particularly undignified manner through a cashier who issued his salary without the supplement for the Chief of General Staff.

Radomir Putnik died on 17 May 1917, never returning to his homeland.

Radomir Putnik is included in The 100 most prominent Serbs.