First Battle of Çatalca

Battle of Çatalca

Date	17 and 18 November [O.S. 4–5 November] 1912
Location	Çatalca Line
Result	Decisive Ottoman victory

Belligerents

Bulgaria

Ottoman Empire

Commanders and leaders

Radko Dimitriev

Nazim Pasha

Strength

176,430 men
(118,092 rifles, 146 MGs, 462 guns, 56,410 animals, 20 aircraft)

140,571 men
(103,514 rifles, 62 MGs, 316 guns, 22,058 animals, 5-8 aircraft)

Casualties and losses

1,506 killed
9,127 wounded
1,391 missing

Total: 12,024

5,000 - 10,000 killed and wounded

1,506 killed
9,127 wounded
1,391 missing

The First Battle of Çatalca fought between 17 and 18 November [O.S. 4–5 November] 1912 was one of the heaviest battles of the First Balkan War. It was initiated as an attempt of the combined Bulgarian First and Third armies, under the overall command of lieutenant general Radko Dimitriev, to defeat the Ottoman Çatalca Army and break through the last defensive line before the capital Constantinople. The high casualties however forced the Bulgarians to call off the attack and allow their adversary to claim victory. This was the greatest military success of the Ottoman Army for the entire duration of the war and the first major defeat of the Bulgarian Army since its establishment in 1878.

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