What Comes Next
With the Ottoman defenses broken at Catalca the events of the next few weeks would have one common factor shared by not only those involved in the current conflict, but by those who would soon be dragged into it as well. This common factor was a feeling of panic.
The defeat at Catalca ensured the loss of close to twenty thousand soldiers on part of the Ottoman Army as portions of the defending forces guarding way to Constantinople were surrounded and killed or captured by the bulk of Bulgarian forces lead by the Third Army. The most crippling blow of their loses was the capture or destruction of a large portion of their artillery cannons which had been neutralized by the Bulgarian night attack or destroyed in succeeding artillery bombardment. The cannons themselves represented a large portion of not only the Ottoman army's modernization, but their defenses for Istanbul. The only guns not disrupted by the Bulgarian victory was those on the Ottoman naval ships, but throughout the conflict their prescence had hardly contributed to any military edge due to the Ottoman's rusty navy. The battle was also unfortunate for the Ottomans because a great deal of their military staff had flocked to the battle sight to overlook the Bulgarians. Besides Mahmut Pasa casulties included many high and low ranking officers (which contributed to the sorry affair that was the Ottoman retreat) which included such notables as Mustafa Ismet.
Following the breakthrough Nazim Pasa the leader of Ottoman forces threw in support reserve corps at the Bulgarians while carefully reorganizing forces left over from the battle for a new defense. Repositioning guns still operational from the battle and even from Istanbul itself to stop the Bulgarians. In part this strategy worked as the resulting reorganized defenses halted the Bulgarians after three days of fighting, but at the same time it dashed any hope of armistance. With victory at Catalca the Bulgarians had advanced through the stoney, pastures of Gaziosmanpasa. To the world it seemed that Bulgaria was on the cusp of taking Istanbul. Especially to Serbian and Greek commanders who began to draw back from the Bulgarians slowly. Especially to several Ottoman military officers who stormed the Sultan's palace on the day the Bulgarian advance was finally halted. Especially so to Russia as military forces that crossed into Bulgaria. Especially so to Great Britain and Germany as they decried Russia's actions. Especially to Tsar Ferdinand who already was planning his triumphant walk into Constantinople.
With the Ottoman defenses broken at Catalca the events of the next few weeks would have one common factor shared by not only those involved in the current conflict, but by those who would soon be dragged into it as well. This common factor was a feeling of panic.
The defeat at Catalca ensured the loss of close to twenty thousand soldiers on part of the Ottoman Army as portions of the defending forces guarding way to Constantinople were surrounded and killed or captured by the bulk of Bulgarian forces lead by the Third Army. The most crippling blow of their loses was the capture or destruction of a large portion of their artillery cannons which had been neutralized by the Bulgarian night attack or destroyed in succeeding artillery bombardment. The cannons themselves represented a large portion of not only the Ottoman army's modernization, but their defenses for Istanbul. The only guns not disrupted by the Bulgarian victory was those on the Ottoman naval ships, but throughout the conflict their prescence had hardly contributed to any military edge due to the Ottoman's rusty navy. The battle was also unfortunate for the Ottomans because a great deal of their military staff had flocked to the battle sight to overlook the Bulgarians. Besides Mahmut Pasa casulties included many high and low ranking officers (which contributed to the sorry affair that was the Ottoman retreat) which included such notables as Mustafa Ismet.
Following the breakthrough Nazim Pasa the leader of Ottoman forces threw in support reserve corps at the Bulgarians while carefully reorganizing forces left over from the battle for a new defense. Repositioning guns still operational from the battle and even from Istanbul itself to stop the Bulgarians. In part this strategy worked as the resulting reorganized defenses halted the Bulgarians after three days of fighting, but at the same time it dashed any hope of armistance. With victory at Catalca the Bulgarians had advanced through the stoney, pastures of Gaziosmanpasa. To the world it seemed that Bulgaria was on the cusp of taking Istanbul. Especially to Serbian and Greek commanders who began to draw back from the Bulgarians slowly. Especially to several Ottoman military officers who stormed the Sultan's palace on the day the Bulgarian advance was finally halted. Especially so to Russia as military forces that crossed into Bulgaria. Especially so to Great Britain and Germany as they decried Russia's actions. Especially to Tsar Ferdinand who already was planning his triumphant walk into Constantinople.
This would also be the case if a more widespread war didn't occur. Hence, if Bulgaria somehow took target of the city then, unless they got a lot of Russian support, don't expect them to hold it for long.