THE RETREAT OF VON MACKENSEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2929, 15 November 1916, Page 5

THE RETREAT OF VON MACKENSEN

TURKISH TROOPS SACRIFICED IN THE DOBRUDJA N . SERBIAN VICTORY ON THE J CERNA - i Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. ' Potrograd, November 13. A. wireless report states that General von Mackonsen continues to retreat. His forces aro in ,a disastrous condition. Having lost one-third of its effectives, the army is demoralised by diseaso and failure, and tho reinforcements sought wore not provided. The Russians have passed tlie Danube at two points south of Cornavoda. Tho Black Sea Fleet lias renewed the bombardment of Constauza. .RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. • London, November 13. • A Russian official communique states: "Tho enemy pushed back the Rumanians in the Oituz Valley, but the Rumanians occupied tho heights north and south of Toidvedoluig. The enemy is ficrc.ely attacking in the region of Kimpolung,' and battles aro proceeding in tho .liul Valley and at Orsovst. Our left'has slightly advanced in the Dobrudja." RUMANIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. ' __ London, November 13. A Rumanian official communique stales: "'Wo repulsed two_ attacks northwest of tho Bustcui. In a battle lasting all day in tho region of Dragoslavelc, wo maintained our positions. AVn also repulsed all attacks on the left bank of tho Alt River, but yielded ground at Saracibite, -.on tho right bank. Tho pressure of the enemy continues to he very strong in tho Jiul Valley. Thcro is violent fighting south-east of Orsova." TURKISH TROOPS SACRIFICED BY VON MACKENSEN. '..'"' (Rcc. November 11, 6 p.m.) '" Berne, November 11. Telegrama frftin Constantinople allege that A r ou Mackensen froely sacri- ■".' ficed his Turkish' troops in tho Dobrudja. An entiro division was'wiped out.

A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION (Rec. November 14, 11.15 p, u) ,) London, November 14. The "Morning Post's" Petrocrad correspondent states: "There are no official details of tho fighting in the Dobrudjii. ",Tuo Germans appear to havo crossed tho Danube near Cernavoda, but the combined ltusso-Rumanian forces stopped their progress westward. A 6trugglo is now proceeding for tho recapture of Cernavoda, which will bring tho llusso-Rumauian progress in the Dobrudja southwards, and must help m tho operation or compel the enemy to bring larger forces. In view of tho approaching winter, this operation must be regarded as of local importance. Tho original plan of campaign fell through when tho Salonika army was unable to advanco owing to Greece's attitude. Rumania's intervention camo too late, as Groeco had been allowed to prevent the Allies' scheme for cutting off tho Germans' supplies." BULGARS DRIVEN BACK TWO MILES VIGOROUS ATTACK BY THE SERBIANS ' (Aust.-NX Oablo Assn, and Router.) I • v Parts, November 13. A French official communique states: "Supported by.intense fire from' the French artillery, the Serbians, in tho loop of tho Cerna, after sanguinary fighting, compelled the Germans and Bulgarians to-abandon the village of Iveu, and to fallback twoiniles to th'o northward. Five counter-attacks by the enemy were repulsed! in disorder, with considerable loss. Tho Serbians, assisted by the French, alsoinado further progress north of Voliselo. Already more than a thousand prisoners havo been counted. The Allies have taken 6000 prisoners and captured seventy-two giius aid fifty machine, guns since the offensivo began." SERBIAN OFFICIAL' COMMUNIQUE. London, November 13. A Serbiau official communique states: "Wo not only broke counterattacks against the Cuke Range, but continued our victorious advanco to tho northward, pursuing tho beaten enemy. Polog is entirely in our hands. AVe ha.ve captured fifty-six guns, exclusive of trench ordnance, since September; 14.'? STORY OF A BRILLIANT ATTACK Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, November 13. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Athens gives details of the brilliant Serbian advance. Since September 30 the Bulgars had ample time to' fortify a network of precipitous mountains to tho northward of the Macedonian armies. At dawn on Friday the French and Serbian artillery, began shelling the front, leading the Bulgars to>expect an attack on the wholo sector. Instead, the Serbians' object was to drivetho Bulgars'from tho formidable Cuke Heights, a lifficuie undestrking, which was completely successful. The batteries concentrated on the heights, and the Serbians commenced a converging attack, advancing on a two-mile front from tho south, and on a two-mile front from the east. The Bulgars put up a stout and prolonged resistance, beating back the first assaults. The Serbians,' at 7 o clock in the evening, captured the' last and topmost height of 1100 ft. They inflicted saili guinary losses, and! the survivors fled in disorder. Bulgars Warned Not to Expect Assistance. The Salonika correspondent, of the "Daily Chronicle" states: "Twice on Friday night the Bulgars unu'successfully attempted to regain the lost ground on the Polog slopes." ~,,„■ , ■ ,„•' ~ An order found on a dead officer, and! signed by General von • Winckler. commanding the Germans and Bulgars; warned the Bulgars not to expect reinforcements. He declares.,that the French would not push the attack with: the infantry, therefore if the Bulgars dug in deeply there was no fear of defeat. The order added: "Upon the Serbian sector the Bulgarians are numerically equal to their opponents, and ought to be able to maintain the [.defensive without assistance." ' DESTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE-AND A DRAMATIC SEQUEL.' '.'...» Salonika, November 14. Two Greek and two Allied aeroplanes destroyed a bridge- over the Augusta, near Boya. A train loaded! with soldiers was unable to pull up, and was hurled into the river and entirely destroyed. ' i ROYALISTS AND NATIONALISTS OF GREECE INCIDENT #1 EATERINA-AND A PROTEST. Athens, November 13. Fifteen hundred Rovalists are advancing north of Katerina, on the Gulf of Salonika, receptly occupied by tho Nationalist troops, who drove out_ the. Royalist'garrison. They are occupying the _ villages, and installing garrisons in them, requisitioning, cereals, and' terrorising the population.

A COMPLAINT BY M. VENIZELOS' , London, Novdnib'ec 13. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Athens states that M. Venizelos complains that the Royalists have broken the agreement under which the Eoyalists and Ver.izelists were to withdraw from Katerma. He also announces a movement'of troops from Athens with tho intention of occupying Western Macedonia, where the Allies had'cleared out the .Bulgarians and tho Salonika Government had established: authority. M. Veuizelos has protested to the Entente Powers, alleging a breach of faith. King Constantino appears to be willing to arrive at an amicable settlement with tho Entente Powers, but when questions involving the Venizelists arise, ho .declares stubbornly that they are rebels. . THE GERMAN NOTE TO GREECE \ , \ A BLUFF BY 'THE .AMBASSADOR AT ATHENS. Athens, November 13. The German Minister's Note was not taken seriously. Count von Mirbach was cut off from communication with Berlin, and it is bolioved lie acted on his own responsibility, and with the co-operation of the_ Gounarists drew up the Note, with a view to frightening the Government into a refusal of the demands of the Entente..! The.Note is firm and courteous, and l deals with all the points upon which, according to German diplomacy, Greece has departed from her neutrality by aiding the Entente, chiefly bv the use of the Greek Meet. Tho Note declared that Greek neutrality had become unstable, and the pro-Germans were waiting for something decisive and the opportunity to point out to Greece that neutrality was the best course. _ - ' ... • Count von Mirbach is afraid of his life. Ho is never seen m a cafe without a revolver beside his plate. 1 Popular indignation is high, because officers have_ been compelled, to resign before joining the Nationalists. Tho Entente insisted that they should retain their pensions and seniority.