-- ILINDEN UPRISING -- - Part 01

-- ILINDEN UPRISING --

1893 - MRO founded

In Solun on October 23rd, 1893, Dr. Hristo Tatarchev, Damian Gruev, Petar Pop Arsov, Ivan Hadzhinikolov, Anton Dimitrov and Hristo Batandzhiev founded the Macedonian revolutionary organization (MRO). The basic aim of the organization was to create an autonomous Macedonia. The Organization’s leaders and ideologists were Gotse Delchev and Giorce Petrov.

1894 - IMRO founded

As word got around an MRO committee was formed, more Macedonians got involved and a second (formal) meeting was held on February 9th, 1894 which resulted in the formation of a revolutionary organization known as the Vnatrezhna (Internal) Makedonska (Macedonian) Revolutsionerna (Revolutionary) Organizatsia (Organization), VMRO (IMRO).

1895 - First terrorist groups created

When the terrorist groups were first created their task was to seek out and punish enemy informants. The first terrorist group created in 1895 consisted of four people and began its operation by monitoring Ottoman activities in Prilep. In 1896 another terrorist group was created in Krushevo whose task was to follow certain suspects and to collect money and other needed items for the Organization. In time every revolutionary district created its own terrorist group who were assigned various tasks to suit its needs. All in all, these terrorist groups were very effective in demonstrating the Organization’s strength and authority. By October 1898 twelve terrorist groups were operating in Macedonia including Prilep, Bitola, Solun and Kukush. One of the more significant deeds performed by a terrorist group was the execution of Dimitar Grdanov, a key Ottoman spy. Gedanov was executed by Metodi Pachev on August 5th, 1898 in Ohrid. The terrorist groups were also known to have participated in battles alongside the Macedonian Chetas as well as provide secret security services for MRO revolutionaries.

1896 - First Congress held in Solun

As the number and needs of terrorist groups increased, it was decided to reorganize them into a Secret Police. The decision to form secret police units was made during the 1896 Solun Congress and was enshrined in the MRO Constitution and spelled out in the Rulebook. According to article ten of the MRO Constitution, each committee of the Organization had the right to form its own Secret Police unit for the purpose of taking actions against internal and external enemies. After the formation of the Secret Police units however, most regional Organizations used their services to investigate various matters, perform intelligence functions, follow the movements of official Ottoman authorities, identify and investigate newly arrived personnel and track the movements of the Ottoman secret militia. Each committee was responsible for appointing a chief who in turn appointed three personally selected assistants who did not know each other.

Lacking skill and experience, most of these “secret agents” made mistakes and did not measure up to Gotse Delchev’s, the Commander in Chief’s, expectations so the Organization made sure to recruit from the more experienced haiduk (outlaw) groups. In fact the Organization took a step further and made contact with the various haiduk leaders throughout Macedonia asking them to join

the MRO and fight for a free and independent Macedonia. In time the majority did and those who did not and continued their illegal activities were eventually destroyed by the MRO.

1903 - Another Congress held in Solun

By a vote taken on December 24th, 1902 it was decided that a Congress would be held in Solun on January 1st, 1903. This not only did not provide enough notice for the elected delegates to make it to the congress on time but also breached the Organization’s constitution by allowing non-elected delegates to attend and participate in the vote. In other words, Garvanov took it upon himself to rush the congress to avoid being opposed by the MRO founding leaders and only invited those who he was certain would support his initiative to start a massive Uprising as soon as possible before the MRO was ready. This would have guaranteed its failure and in the process would have exhausted both the Macedonians and the Ottomans, leaving Macedonia open for a Bulgarian invasion.

The Congress began on January 2nd, 1903 and ended on the 4th without a single delegate from the founding MRO leaders attending. In fact none of the MRO delegates who would have opposed the early Uprising were they invited or attended. In other words the holding of this Congress was not only illegal, according to the MRO’s constitution, but also was not representative of the entire revolutionary territory because many district delegates were either not invited or did not attend. Even Lazar Dimitrov, who took part in the Congress, voiced his concern in his memoirs calling the Congress “unlawfully constituted”.

The Congress was opened by Garvanov, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Organization, who requested from each delegate to individually report on the situation in their districts. Most delegates however, including Anastas Lozanchev, district representative of Bitola, admitted that they were unable to provide reliable information on the status and readiness of the districts they represented. Almost all delegates admitted that their revolutionary districts were materially and morally not prepared for an uprising. The situation however changed when Lozanchev and Garvanov assured the Congress that a large delivery of arms would soon be

arriving from Bulgaria and each detachment would be receiving its fair share of guns, supplies and other materials necessary to carry out the Uprising.

Garvanov made a strong impression on the delegates by his speech in which he assured them that leaflets calling on the Macedonian population to prepare for an uprising in 1903 were being spread throughout Macedonia. He said the fact that the Ottoman authorities had managed to capture some of these leaflets, proves that the job is being done as we speak. He went on to say that the 1903 Uprising would be even more glorious than the 1902 Gornodzhumajski Uprising. Garvanov told the Congress that he did not believe a mass uprising would be successful without external intervention.

In spite of Garvanov’s reassurances there was still some opposition to his plan. Most of that opposition came from Lazar Dimitrov who declared to the Congress that far too many districts were unprepared for such an uprising and it would be a mistake. He also added that Lamzdorf, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was against such an uprising and the Macedonians could not count on Russian support. He went further to say that he had spoken to other revolutionaries including Iane Sandanski and Gotse Delchev just before the Solun Congress and they were all against a premature uprising.

Unfortunately, despite his opposition, Dimitrov too signed Garvanov’s declaration endorsing an early uprising. Even Dimitar Ganchev, the delegate from Skopje who was sent there by the District Committee with explicit instructions to press for a postponement of the Uprising for at least a year, seeing that the other delegates agreed, also added his consent.

On January 3rd, 1902 at 11:20 AM, after all the delegates had had their say it was decided that an Uprising would begin in the spring of 1903. It was decided that this would not be a mass uprising but rather a strategic one to start things moving. All District Committees were ordered to assemble and discuss the Congress’s decisions and start preparations to ensure the Uprising was carried out.

1903 - Second Congress held in Solun

A second Solun Congress, dominated by the Vrhovists, was staged in February of 1903. Delchev and most of IMRO's loyal supporters did not attend. A resolution was reached, but not ratified by the regional committees, that an uprising would take place on Ilinden, on the 2nd of August 1903. To weaken the Turks, the Vrhovists staged a number of bombings and terrorist acts. The Solun to Tsari Grad railway was bombed on March 18th, as was the Solun Ottoman bank a month later. This did not weaken the Turks as expected but instead brought more Turkish troops into Macedonia and further escalated the violence against innocent civilians. If that was not enough, the sudden rise in violence against Ottoman institutions was not well received by European investors and businessmen, who saw Ottoman Macedonia as a safe place to invest. The few lonely voices in London, calling for Macedonian support, were quickly drowned out by the many voices of discontent calling for the demise of the terrorists.

Tragically the Turks killed Gotse Delchev in Banitsa on May 4th, 1903, a day after the IMRO Smilevo Congress had started. Termed the Bitola Congress, the purpose of the Smilevo Congress was to review the resolutions from the Vrhovist dominated Solun Congress, held earlier the same year. Damjan Gruev (a native of Smilevo) chaired the Congress and tried hard to present the situation realistically by arguing for and against an early uprising. When the matter was put to a vote, however, the majority declared themselves in favour of an uprising. With these words, "better an end with horrors than horrors without end", Gruev also voted in support of the Ilinden rebellion. From here on there was no turning back. A general staff was elected with Gruev as the head and preparations for the uprising began. In due time plans were made, a military strategy prepared, weapons, medical supplies and food-stuffs were requisitioned and stock piled. Cheti were organized and training drills were performed. On July 26th, 1903, by a dispatch to the Great Powers via the British vice-consul in Bitola, the General Staff formally announced the uprising. Then on July 28th, 1903 IMRO dispatched mounted couriers to all the sub-districts with the message "let the uprising begin". On the same day the General Staff informed the Ottoman Director of Railways to warn travelers to choose a different mode of transportation in order to avoid being hurt. Despite the odds, the brave people of Macedonia heroically rose to the task

with valour. They knew well that the fight they were forced to fight might not bring them what they wanted. They chose to fight anyway because it was a fight for freedom and freedom after centuries of slavery was valued above life itself. That, however, did not convince the Great Powers to lend a helping hand. Macedonia, for a second time within a quarter century, was exposed to treachery that would make the 1878 betrayal look like a picnic.

1903 - “Gemidzii” carry out attacks

On April 1903 the “Gemidzii” carried out attacks. A number of Macedonian revolutionaries from Solun known as the “Gemidzii”, carried out a series of attacks on a number of buildings in Solun in order to draw the attention of the European public towards the harsh situation the Macedonian people were facing under Ottoman rule.

1903 - Nikos Zahariadis is born

April 27, 1903 - Nikos Zahariadis is born in Edirne, Eastern Thrace. His father was employed as a clerk at “Razim”, a French commercial tobacco company based in Constantinople. From 1911 to 1912 Nikos Zahariadis lived and attended school in the “Ibin Paiko” settlement in Skopje, where his father worked as a representative of the “Razim” Company. In 1913 he moved to Solun. In 1922 and 1923 he worked as a sailor, a job which took him to the Soviet Union where he became a member of the Communist Party. In 1924, with the exchange of populations between Turkey and Greece, Zahariadis’s family was moved to Greece. In 1924 he visited the famous Communist University of Eastern European nations, KUTVE in Moscow. Nikos Zahariadis was leader of the Greek communist movement and secretary general of the CPG from 1936 to 1956. Zahariadis treated the CPG like a cult and had absolute confidence in Stalin and his Communist Party, which he believed to be infallible. He himself admitted to this. Zahariadis committed suicide in 1973 while serving a prison sentence in Sorgun, Siberia.

1903 - Start of Smilevo Conference

May 3, 1903 – Start of Smilevo Conference

In order to finalize all activities, the leadership of the Bitola District requested that a Congress take place on May 1st, 1903 in the village Smilevo. Dame Gruev, representing the Central Committee of MRO, was elected chairman of the Congress. Among other things the meeting agenda included discussions on (1) the distribution of military forces, (2) preparations for the Uprising, (3) duties and responsibilities of leaders both before and during the uprising, (4) what to do with unarmed people, disabled people, old people, and women and children during the uprising, (5) distribution of arms, (6) determining the exact time of the uprising, (7) establishment of regional administrative bodies before and during the uprising, and (8) method by which the uprising would be conducted.

From the discussions that took place it was determined that the best-prepared regions to enter the Uprising were Resen, Kostur, Demirhisar and several surrounding villages in the Bitola Region. Among the less prepared regions was Ohrid with only one thousand four hundred guns.

The speakers and debaters at the Smilevo Congress were very critical of Anastas Lozanchev, chairman of the District Committee, for his arbitrary representation of his District at the Solun Congress and for undertaking obligations in the name of his district without first consulting the various regions. Among the delegates who opposed Garvanov’s plan for an early Uprising were Gjorgji Sugare, Petre Atsev, Tale Hristov, Nikola Karev and Nikola Petrov. They were all bitter about how the Solun Congress was conducted and their anger was reflected during the debates in the Smilevo Congress. Overall a tense situation was created prompting Dame Gruev’s intervention. Gruev used his authority as chairman to break off the discussions, insisting that the uprising would still have to take place regardless of the protests because that question had already been settled.

1903 - Gotse Delchev (1872-1903) gets killed on May 4

Delchev was killed near the village Banitsa, Seres Region in a skirmish with Turkish forces. Delchev’s remains were transferred to Bulgaria in 1923. Then, after the Second World War, on October

10th, 1946, they were transferred to the People's Republic of Macedonia. The following day they were enshrined in a marble sarcophagus, which to this day is displayed in the yard of the Sveti Spas (Holy Savior) Church in Skopje.

Delchev will be remembered as the undisputed leader, strategist, ideologue and diplomat of the original IMRO. He was a man who almost single-handedly sowed the seeds of resistance amongst the Macedonian peasantry, through foresight, popularity, tactical skill and enormous enthusiasm.

1903 - Dispatch sent to the Great Powers on July 26, via the British vice-consul in Bitola, the General Staff formally announcing the Ilinden Uprising. Then on July 28, 1903, IMRO dispatched mounted couriers to all the sub-districts with the message “let the uprising begin”.

1903 - Ilinden Uprising begins on August 2

----- The Smilevo Uprising

Just prior to the August 2nd, 1903 Ilinden Uprising the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (MRO) moved its headquarters to the village Smilevo near the city Bitola in the Bitola Revolutionary District. The move made Smilevo the Political and Military Center of Macedonia. Being the center of Macedonia however had its drawbacks. The constant movement of people, particularly during the Smilevo Congress, which was held in Smilevo between May 3rd and 7th, 1903 attracted the attention of the Ottoman authorities. Thankfully the Congress was over when an Ottoman battalion dispatched from Bitola arrived just outside of Smilevo on May 11th, 1903 and surrounded the vicinity. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, vojvoda Pareshkev Tsvetkov with 18 of his insurgents just happened to be there near the village Mogila at the time and fell into the Ottoman trap. A battle ensued and after 12 hours of fighting and numerous attempts to break the siege, the battle ended with most of the insurgents dead. Tsetkov was badly wounded and took his own life.

To avoid being discovered, the MRO leadership decided to move its headquarters to the Golem Gar locality. The Ottomans meanwhile, to prevent further developments, decided to garrison Smilevo and turn it into a military and political center leaving part of a battalion there to guard it. After assessing the situation however, the Bitola Revolutionary District leadership concluded that Smilevo, despite the new Ottoman developments, was still the best place from which to continue preparations for the Uprising such as organizing defenses and shelters, storing food and clothing, hiding ammunition and running a secret hospital. Smilevo was also an ideal place from where the insurgents could keep an eye on the surrounding region in case of an enemy encirclement. In view of all these factors, the District leaders decided to destroy the Ottoman garrison in Smilevo and proclaim Smilevo and the surrounding territory “a liberated zone”, but this would have to wait until the beginning of the Uprising.

Having no assistance from the outside world the MRO always relied on the local population to provide it with financial aid. In the Bitola District the MRO turned to the local population, particularly to the rich Vlach villages Trnovo, Magarevo and Gopesh for money and goods which it then used to purchase weapons from the Ottomans and Albanians who collaborated with the MRO.

Just prior to the Uprising, in its preparations for combat, Smilevo assembled and trained 158 insurgents and subdivided them into six Chetas. Then four days before the Ilinden Uprising a messenger arrived with instructions and details on how to commence the attacks. All people working outside their villages, particularly those working in Bitola, were instructed to return to their homes immediately. After the District flag had been sanctified on August 1st in the fields above the village everyone was told to go home and act in their normal way in order to avoid suspicion. The next afternoon all the Chetas assembled in an area near Golem Gar and at dusk, together with the District Headquarters, came down to the villages and attacked the Ottoman garrisons. Being caught by surprise there was much panic and confusion on the part of the Ottomans as they ran for cover in nearby houses. Unfortunately the Ottomans recovered quickly and were out fighting in the streets again as the insurgents tried to contain them. In the fury of the battle

the Ottoman soldiers were pushed back in the houses, concentrating in Gjorgija Churanov’s house in the center of the village, the same house in which the Smilevo Congress was held.

When Damjan Gruev arrived at the scene he was disappointed not because the Ottomans had occupied the house in which the Smilevo Congress was held but because this particular house was a stronghold that could not easily be broken into. It was decided that the only way to dislodge the Ottomans from it was to burn it down. Fearing more Ottoman soldiers would soon arrive to join the battle the rebels, with permission from Churanov the owner of the house, torched the house in a hailstorm of bullets. And thus began the Uprising in violence and flames.

During the night the insurgents cut telephone lines and destroyed bridges on the Bitola to Resen road. One Cheta attacked the Bashibazuks in the village Dolnentsi while another kept the Ottoman soldiers pinned down leaving the rest to assist with the evacuation of the villagers.

On the afternoon of August 3rd, 1903 more than 2,000 people from the villages were evacuated and moved to a secluded place near Golem Gar where a shelter was previously prepared for them.

During the first day of skirmishes it was estimated that about 25 Ottoman soldiers were killed and two Macedonian rebels were badly wounded.

Just as the people were leaving the villages, a detachment of 400 Ottoman soldiers was spotted approaching the village Obednik, about four kilometers east of Smilevo. One of the Chetas, lead by Stojan Donski, was quickly dispatched and attacked the Ottomans just as they were about to enter the village. Unfortunately, probably to spare the Cheta from being destroyed, Headquarters ordered its withdrawal allowing the Ottomans to enter the village, release the blockaded soldiers and burn down 34 houses. Fearing the insurgents would return with a larger force, the Ottoman detachment left Smilevo and went on to attack and burned down the village Gopesh.

Encouraged by the August 3rd success, the next day the Ottomans dispatched another unit of soldiers and a group of Bashibazuks but this time they were not so lucky. As the Ottomans approached the village Obednik they were met by a more determined Cheta which inflicted a catastrophic blow. It was estimated 45 soldiers died, one rebel was killed and one wounded.

Following this defeat the local Ottomans abstained from attacking Smilevo again until the arrival of new troops, leaving the people in the region to enjoy their short lived freedom which lasted from August 4th to August 27th.

----- The Krushevo Uprising

The Krushovo Revolutionary District covered an area stretching from the Blato River in the east, the Tsrna River and Prilep in the south, the Velika River in the north and Demir Hisar Region in the west. With the town of Krushevo as its center, the Krushevo Region supported about 10,000 inhabitants of whom 5,000 were Macedonians, 4,000 Vlachs, 400 Christian Albanians and others. In comparison to other towns, Krushevo was more developed and its people more educated and highly motivated working in the fields of trade, handicrafts and cattle breeding.

Like other revolutionary Districts, Krushevo, right after the Smilevo Congress, began preparations for the Uprising by electing leaders and enlisting, training and arming insurgents. Among the six elected representatives, Nikola Karev was elected commander of the insurgency force which at the time numbered about 1,200.

Weapons for the forces were supplied by various channels from Greece, Albania, Tetovo, Kichevo and other places. Six cherry-wood cannons were especially built for the defense of Krushevo and their operators received special instructions on how to deploy them. A ten day training course was provided to all insurgents, which included various tactical exercises and instructions on how to use weapons. Special ovens and storage facilities were also constructed in several secluded places to accommodate cooking for a large number of people and for storing food, clothing, ammunition and other materials.

Upon Krushevo Region’s decision to participate in the Uprising a survey of enemy forces was undertaken and it was discovered that the town of Krushevo was garrisoned by only 60 soldiers and no more than 100 Ottoman civilians were armed. It was also discovered that it would take the Ottomans from 8 to 10 hours to bring reinforcements.

In view of the above facts it was decided to begin the Uprising with an attack and speedy destruction of the Krushevo garrison before the Ottoman reinforcements had enough time to arrive.

It was also decided that after its liberation the Krushevo Region would be defended by positioning the Cheti at various strategic locations. The insurgent force would be divided into eight units; six main and two support. Andrej Dimov’s unit would be assigned to take over the prison, telegraph, post office and the home of the state treasurer and the gendarmerie. Ivan Alabakov’s unit would be assigned to take over the barracks where the Ottoman soldiers were stationed. Pitu Guli’s unit, which would be accompanied by members of the Macedonian village police, would be assigned to protect Krushevo on the south from the direction of the villages Ostriltsi, Birino and Trsenik and provide support to other units when needed. Being the largest, consisting of 300 insurgents, this unit would also have a flag bearer. Gjorgij Dimov was tasked with that duty. Marko Hristov-Mirche’s unit would be assigned to protect Krushevo from the north-east side. Tashko Karev’s unit would be assigned to protect the Pavlena Cheshma Pass and Kosta Hristov’s unit would be assigned to take position at the Muratova Cheshma Pass. Gjurchin Naumov and Gjorgij Stojanov’s units would be assigned to occupy positions at Deni Kamen between Sliva and Bushova Cheshma to the north-west and Pusta Reka.

The Krushevo Uprising Headquarters held a meeting in Birinska Mountain on July 30th, 1903 and finalized its plan for the attack on Krushevo. It also briefed the unit leaders on their assignments. Details of the attacks were withheld until the signal to commence the Uprising was received.

While the military leaders were preparing their strategies, the government in Krushevo, headed by Nikola Karev, was busy preparing the Krushevo Manifesto which was to be distributed to all Ottoman villages just after the Uprising began. The idea of the Manifesto was to provide the people with a real picture of what the Uprising was all about and to assure the Muslims that the Uprising was not against them but against the oppressive Ottoman government. In part the Manifesto said that the Uprising was not aimed against the Muslims but rather against the tyranny and slavery of the oppressive Ottoman government which violated the honour of all people including that of the poor Muslims. The Manifesto also called on all people to rise up against the Ottoman government, join the rebellion and fight for liberty and justice for all. Surprisingly the Manifesto did exactly what it was designed to do and caught the attention of many Ottomans including the attention of Lieutenant Suleyman Ali, the commander of the Krushevo garrison who escaped the rebel attack. In a letter addressed to the Krushevo Republic, Sulayman Ali congratulated the rebels for their accomplishments and on behalf of his people apologized for treating the revolutionaries like bandits. He also wished the rebels success and gave them his blessings. At the end he asked them to destroy the communiqué.

It was believed, because of the Manifesto, less Bashibazuks joined the Ottomans in attacking and ravaging the villages which was of great help to the insurgents.

Attacks against Ottoman defenses took place as planned and the insurgent forces were deployed as expected and in a timely fashion. The attack on Krushevo itself began at midnight with Vangel Topuzov firing the first shot. The gendarmerie was stormed and everyone in it surrendered. The post office also fell without any resistance. The tax inspectors refused to surrender and were killed in a firefight. By the morning of August 3rd, 1903 all of Krushevo business district was in rebel hands.

The Ottoman soldiers however were not as easy to put down as first anticipated and had reached a stalemate with Alabakov’s insurgents. It took the additional forces of Pitu Guli’s reserve detachment to finish the job. Incendiary bombs were eventually used to dislodge

the Ottomans. Fourteen hours later 9 soldiers were captured and 17 along with their commander Sulayman Ali broke through the rebel breach and escaped. Eight insurgents were killed and 16 were wounded in this battle. The attack was unexpected and a complete surprise to the Ottomans giving them no advanced warning.

Upon discovering the rebel attack on Krushevo, the Ottomans quickly assembled and dispatched 300 soldiers consisting in part of the 3rd regiment from Prilep and some Albanian Bashibazuks. Upon their arrival in the Spili and Kale vicinity the Ottomans were intercepted by Marko Hristov-Mirche’s Cheta and a firefight broke out forcing the Ottomans to quickly retreat. The Ottomans tried again the next day and the day after to breach Mirche’s defenses but without success. After that the situation in Krushevo remained calm until August 11th, 1903 when a large Ottoman force arrived.

On August 4th, 1903 a Bashibazuk detachment was spotted near Deni Kamen advancing towards Drenovo. Gjurchin Naumov’s Cheta was quickly dispatched and managed to push the Bashibazuks back into a hasty retreat. Twenty Bashibazuks were killed in that battle.

Just as the Ottoman forces were being put down on August 4th, 1903 Nikola Karev, along with other MRO political leaders, arrived in Krushevo. Immediately upon his arrival he proposed the establishment of a six member provisional government. After being welcomed as a hero and liberator, Nikola Karev requested the presence of 60 of the most prominent residents of Krushevo. He specifically asked for prominent people from all three ethnicities, Macedonian, Vlach and Albanian which lived there. From these people six were selected to run the provisional government. They were Dinu Vangel appointed as President and head of the court, Gijorgij Chache appointed Secretary and requisitions manager, Teohar Neshok appointed Treasurer, Hristo Kjurchiev appointed Mayor and Chief of Police, Dimitar Sekulov appointed Manager of food supplies and Dr. Nikola Baljo appointed Manager of Health Care. A Governing Council was then elected and Nikola Karev was appointed President. As President, Nikola Karev declared the Krushevo Region a Republic, the first republic in the Balkans run by Macedonians, Vlachs and Albanians.

First order of business for the newly elected government was to make sure all people, including the Muslims, were protected and treated as equals.

Several houses and stores were turned into workshops and storage depots to store, manufacture and repair weapons, shoes and clothing in aid of the Uprising. Extraordinary measures were also taken to requisition food supplies, weapons and ammunition. Most of the population voluntarily donated such items as pots, pans, dishes and other utensils to be melted down to make bullets.

Headquarters in the meantime worked hard to devise defense plans in order to defend the newly established Macedonian Republic from an Ottoman invasion and looked for the most efficient ways it could deploy its limited defenses. One of the actions taken to bolster the defenses was the construction of a well stocked trench system which would protect the insurgents from enemy fire as well as provision them with supplies for prolonged battles.

It did not take long however for the Ottomans to regroup and start an all out offensive. Between August 5th and 12th, 1903 a sizable force of 18,000 Ottoman soldiers and Bashibazuks was quickly assembled. The force consisted of 40 infantry battalions, several cavalry units, 4 artillery batteries and 24 cannons all concentrated in the Bitola, Prilep and Kichevo Regions.

While the insurgents were busy bolstering their defenses three Ottoman columns were dispatched to attack the regions. The main column commanded by Bahtiar Pasha consisting of 10,000 soldiers, fully equipped with artillery, advanced towards Krushevo from the east, from the Prilep and Krivogashtani direction. The second column consisting of 3,000 Ottoman soldiers also supported by artillery advanced from the south. The third column consisting of about 5,000 soldiers equipped with cavalry and mountain artillery advanced from the north-west.

The Ottomans had good reason to act fast and suppress this Uprising as soon as possible because the Ottoman government was seen as somewhat of a villain by the European public. The establishment of

the Krushevo Republic could have had unforeseeable political consequences for the Ottoman Empire if not quickly checked. Besides, Krushevo was a rich region with a healthy economy that would support a high concentration of insurgents and a sustainable and prolonged uprising if allowed to deeply trench itself.

On August 12, 1903 Bahtiar Pasha ordered his troops to encircle Krushevo. Following that he dispatched an ultimatum to the Uprising Headquarters demanding its surrender. The answer from Headquarters however was a flat “no”. “We did not rise up so that we can surrender but rather we took up arms to fight for our liberty and for Macedonia” was the Headquarters’ response. Upon receiving his reply, Bahtiar Pasha ordered his troops to start firing.

Children and the elderly were quickly evacuated in the nearby forests and the rest took up their positions to defend Krushevo. Gjurchin Naumov’s Cheta took up position to defend the heights above the Bitola-Prilep road. Ivan Alabakov’s Cheta took up the defense of Bushova Cheshma, Deni Kamen and the road to Kichevo. Gjiorgij Stojanov’s Cheta was assigned to protect the Sliva Pass and Tashko Karev’s Cheta was sent to defend the road to the village Kochishte at Kojov Trn. Todor Hristov and his group took up defense in the rocky peak at Mechkin Kamen. By orders of Pitu Guli, inspector of the insurgent units, all insurgents without weapons were sent home. The Uprising Headquarters was moved to Gumenje which gave the leadership a good view of the entire Prilep Field.

Upon discovering the size of the Ottoman force surrounding Krushevo, the Council of vojvodas met and recommended to the Provisional Government to surrender the town of Krushevo to spare it from destruction. The plan was to surrender Krushevo and retreat, hoping the Ottomans would pursue. Then while retreating, the insurgents would lead the Ottomans into a trap at the River Zhaba’s narrow pass west of Krushevo. Unfortunately that plan was quickly abandoned when it was discovered that the Ottomans had already taken the pass. Failing that, the Council decided to save its forces by leaving the region altogether. Unfortunately too many insurgents, not wanting to leave their families behind unprotected, disobeyed the orders and decided to fight to the death. Among those who

fought suicidal battles was Pitu Guli and his Cheta who declared “if there is no liberty then there is death”.

At 10:00 AM on August 13th, 1903 Bahtiar Pasha ordered his artillery to begin firing. He then ordered his troops to tighten the encirclement around Krushevo. While Krushevo was burning, Headquarters again ordered all insurgents to retreat and Pitu Guli along with 34 of his men again disobeyed and fought until their ammunition ran out saving the last bullets for themselves. Pitu Guli and his men displayed great courage that must never be forgotten.

While most defenses fell apart, Gjiorgij Stojanov’s Cheta managed to safeguard the Sliva Pass allowing many civilians and insurgents to be evacuated. Ivan Alabakov’s Cheta took with it is as many people as possible and also retreated to the hills via the Sliva Pass. Stojanov, with 40 of his fighters however, remained active at the pass and fought to the death. His and his men’s sacrifice saved thousands of people from being trapped by the Ottomans.

By the end of the day on August 13th, 1903 Krushevo was on fire and pillaged by the Bashibazuks who took no pity and slaughtered, murdered, tortured and raped the civilian population. Krushevo and the villages Seltse, Rastoitsa and Zhurche suffered the most with 139 men killed, 165 women raped, 217 houses burned, 210 stores burned to the ground and 1,170 people left homeless. (Vanche Stojchev. “Military History of Macedonia”. Military academy. Skopje, 2004. Page 322)

----- The Kichevo and Karbunitsa Uprisisngs ----- The Dushegubitsa and Gjavato Uprisings

The Kichevo Uprising encompassed the Kichevo and Poreche Regions and was lead by vojvodas Luka Dzherov, Janaki Janev and Arso Mitskov representing Kichevo Region and Gjorgij Peshkov, Vancho Srbakov, Janaki Petrov and Tsvetan from Svetoratse representing Poreche Region. The Kichevo Region was subdivided into sub-regions Gorna Kopachka, Dolna Kopachka and Dolna Reka. The Poreche Region was sub-divided into Rabetin Kol and Poreche.

Unlike most Regions, the Kichevo-Poreche Regions, populated almost entirely by Christians, the vast majority being Macedonian, took part in the Uprising in vast numbers making them proportionally one of the strongest supporters of the Uprisings in Macedonia. Unfortunately the people in these Regions were faced with obstacles; they were poorly armed and were bordering a Region predominantly populated by Albanians and other Muslims.

Being faced with a difficult situation the Kichevo-Poreche Region leadership was hesitant to start the Uprising under these conditions prompting Damian Gruev and the General Headquarters to intervene.

On May 28th, 1903 Gruev dispatched a Cheta of 40 insurgents lead by vojvoda Maksim Nenov to Dolna Reka to raise the peoples' moral and make sure the Uprising began on time. Unfortunately the Cheta was spotted by the Ottomans and attacked by the Bashi Bazuks. Unprepared, the Cheta was defeated and suffered severe losses. With Gruev's plan foiled, General Headquarters decided to take a different approach. Instead of maintaining the Kichevo Revolutionary Center as a military base it decided to move its mountain headquarters to Dolna Reka and turn it into a logistics and strategic base for reserves which could be employed at other sub-regions. The Kichevo leadership was then asked to lobby the prominent Debar citizens to influence the Albanian and other Muslim populations to be more sympathetic to the rebel cause.

Their actions seemed to work and as more money was raised more rifles and ammunition were purchased. Just before the Uprising started 450 rifles were purchased and 23 villages participated each with their own Cheta.

In spite of the problems experienced in Dolna Reka, the four Chetas formed there were dispatched to other regions. Two were dispatched to participate in the Galichnik Uprising, one in the Lazaropole and the fourth in Tresonche. During the Uprising most Chetas were dispatched to assist with the fighting in Gorna Kopachka since there was little activity in the Kichevo and Poreche Regions.

The number of fighters mobilized in these two regions just before the Uprising numbered over 1,000 but they were still outnumbered by the Ottoman army by three to one not to mention the additional numerous Bashi Buzuk units that roamed these regions.

The orders to commence the Uprising, dispatched from the General Headquarters, arrived in the Kichevo Uprising District on July 26th, 1903 prompting the district leadership to convene on July 31st in the Prechista Monastery and prepare its plan of action.

Upon completion of the plan of action, on August 1st, 1903, the village vojvodas were briefed and given orders to mobilize the forces on August 2nd. Six hundred insurgents arrived the night of August 2nd and were divided into three detachments. About an hour after midnight the attacks commenced. One detachment attacked a camp near Jurija while another attacked the Kale barracks. The attacks were designed to shock the enemy and cause it as many casualties as possible in the shortest possible time.

While these attacks were taking place, six smaller village Chetas in the Gorna Kopachka Sub-region combined forces to form a large, 120 insurgent Cheta which in turn encircled and attacked the 150 soldier strong Ottoman garrison at Izvor. This particular garrison, being of some importance, was cause for both sides to escalate the fighting. As a result, the Ottomans dispatched another 150 soldiers to the scene prompting the Macedonians to match it with 200 of their own. A vicious fight ensued resulting in the breach of the Macedonian blockade. As soon as the garrison was freed the Ottomans retreated to Kichevo. Fifty Ottoman soldiers and eight Macedonian insurgents were left dead.

The next day (August 3rd, 1903) the Ottomans came back with 200 soldiers and 150 Bashi Bazuks intending to attack and blockaded the village Vraneshtitsa. The Macedonians sent 200 insurgents lead by Arso Mitskov to the rescue. The Macedonians divided their forces into two groups intending to attack the enemy from two sides. The first group managed to intercept the Ottomans at the village Staroets before they had a chance to do any damage. The second group attacked the Ottomans near Vraneshtitsa resulting in an Ottoman defeat. After a short engagement the Ottomans near Staroets were

also defeated. The Ottomans retreated to Kichevo while the Bashi Bazuks were pursed by the insurgents with several engagements taking place. The Bashi Bazuks disbanded after their leader Alija was killed and the pursuit ended.

On the morning of August 4th, 1903 a regular Ottoman battalion numbering 800 soldiers, along with a number of local Bashi Buzuk units, viciously and repeatedly attacked the village Karbunitsa. Three of the attacks were repelled by the 200 insurgents lead by Arso Mitskov defending the village but the defense line was breached during the fourth attack and by noon the village had fallen into enemy hands.

In their attempt to withdraw from the battle Arso and his insurgents lead the enemy in pursuit to a place near Gjugjevitsa where an ambush was prepared by 350 insurgents from Gorna and Dolna Kopachka. Then just as the Ottomans received more reinforcements from the Kichevo garrison and from the Bashi Bazuks, 150 more insurgents, lead by Jordan Piperkata and Dimitar Dechev, arrived and joined the battle.

Unprepared for a long battle the insurgents soon ran out of ammunition and the firefight turned into a vicious hand to hand massacre as the Macedonian insurgents threw themselves at the enemy, armed with only daggers and knives. But as luck would have it, one of the Macedonian insurgents killed the enemy commander responsible for directing the battle and during the confusion many of the insurgents broke through the enemy lines and managed to escape. About 700 Macedonian insurgents participated in this 12 hour battle leaving behind 30 dead and many wounded. On the Ottoman side more than 1,500 soldiers and Bashi Bazuks participated in the battle with 120 dead and many wounded. When the battle was over the Ottomans declared it a defeat and the army retreated to Kichevo while the Bashi Bazuks fled to the forest in hiding.

After failing to win in Kichevo, the Ottomans turned their attention to Poreche Region. On August 8th, 1903 2,500 Ottoman soldiers and about 1,000 Bashi Bazuks made their way into Rabetin Kol where they were met by 100 Macedonian insurgents lead by Vancho

Serbakov. Just as the insurgents approached the enemy near Poduvach in Cholaitsa Mountain, the Ottomans opened fire with their artillery forcing the insurgents to retreat back into the hills. A vicious battle ensued but without the use of its artillery the enemy was unable to break the barrier and its advance was halted. When the battle was over the Ottomans retreated leaving behind 80 dead. The Insurgents lost 12 fighters.

Frustrated, during its retreat the Ottoman army burned down the villages Orlantsi and Rabetino leaving behind 20 women, children and old men dead. After their retreat, the Ottomans stayed away from this region for at least a month. During this time the Macedonian civilian population prepared special camps in secluded areas where they remained for the duration of the Uprising. While living in the safety of the camps, the civilians served as the main providers of food, clothing, weapons and medical supplies for the local insurgents who were fighting in the Uprising.