Kaymakchalan is one of the peaks of a large mountain range called Nidze. This mountain is in the far south of FYR of Macedonia, the then Kingdom of Serbia and it practically represents the border with Greece. It is at an altitude of 2,525 meters, hence the name “Ridge 2525“. On the very top, there is a monumental complex built by the order of the king Alexander I Karađorđević, with a small church dedicated to St. Ilija, which is at the same time a memorial chapel dedicated to the soldiers perished in the Battle of Kaymakchalan. Built in a nontraditional Christian spirit, this building resembles towers from the Gothic period.
The Battle of Kaymakchalan is considered to be one of the greatest battles of the Serbian Army in the First World War. It lasted from 12th to 30th September 1916. Conflicts occurred between the units of the First Serbian Army led by General Petar Bojović and excellently fortified units of the Bulgarian Army.
By liberating Kaymakchalan, the Serbian Army stepped on the territory of its fatherland, again, after almost a year. In these bloody battles, the Serbian Army lost almost 4,500 people, of which Drinska division only, had 3,804 soldiers and officers who were put out of action. The commander of the Volunteer Regiment, major Vojin Popović – Duke Vuk, heroically died at the very doortsep of the fatherland.
The position at Kaymakchalan made it possible for the Serbian First Army and Allied troops to prolong the operations which resulted in the final liberation of the city of Bitola. This victory regained soldiers’ self-confidence and gave them hope in the final victory.
Motif on the stamp: Below the Ploče at Kaymakchalan, 105 mm cannon, Drina Division in action, аrtillery battery commander Captain Garalović (with beard) – photo by the military priest Risto Šuković. Motif on the envelope: Photos of the Serbian military actions in Kaymakchalan in the year of 1916, by authors Risto Šuković and Dragoljub Pavlović, among which is a photo of the Regent Aleksandar observing Bulgarian positions at Kaymakchalan from an observation post on Chegan mountain, at the Ridge1500, accompanied by the Commander of the Army General Pavle Jurišić Šturm, Commander of the Drina Division Colonel Krsta Smiljanić, and other officers.
