On the Serbian front, the Neretva Corps began to display remarkable prowess, and for the Neretva region with a population of more than six hundred thousand, Austria-Hungary naturally could not turn a blind eye.
This place became a key recruitment area on the imperial frontier. Large numbers of Chinese and mixed-blood people were drafted into the army, and using the original Neretva local forces as a framework, the newest Neretva Corps was formed. Unlike other Bosnian units, it was pulled out as a separate formation to fight on the Serbian front.
This change itself signaled the elevation of the Neretva region's status. After all, the original Neretva area had been a subordinate district under Bosnia Province, mixed with part of southern Croatia's territory.
Now, because of setbacks at the front, Austria-Hungary, in order to win over the local government and civilians, made a major decision: after the war, this region would be incorporated into the New Dalmatia Kingdom.
Mostar.
