The Balkans September–November 1918

General D’Esperey, commander of the Allied Army of the Orient was, in theory, well matched by the German-backed Bulgarian forces facing him along the Macedonian Front in September 1918. The Bulgarians had proved doughty opponents in the past but their Central Powers allies were now in a state of collapse and their government had tried, unsuccessfully, to sue for peace. At the eastern end of the front, the Bulgarians once again repelled the attack at Lake Dojran but when the Allies were victorious in the region to the northwest of the lake, the front rapidly collapsed. On 29 September, the Bulgarians signed the Armistice of Thessaloniki but the Allies continued their advance. The British swerved east towards Constantinople, while D’Esperey continued north through Serbia. The advance continued until the Ottomans, followed by Austria-Hungary, sued for peace. This was only days before Germany signed the armistice on 11 November.