BY FRANCO-AMERICAN TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 3, 28 September 1918, Page 7

BY FRANCO-AMERICAN TROOPS

TWELVE TOWNSiAND MANY PRISOIRS WTURED f

BULGARIA: INVADED

ENEMY SURROUNDED

BRITISH ATTACK ON . WIDE FRONT

.There is spleMd news to-day from several theatres -of.,war. -In

France, French and American armies are attacking on a front of

more than fifty miles extending from the' region of Reims to the '■-Mense north-of. Verdun.i. The French: officially report, an advance of four milesin 'places, and it is said; that "the Americans have advanced seven miles in .the area immediately west of the Meuse. A statement made by General Foch' to.an interviewer is interpreted to mean that there will be no cessation-'of operations during the winter.- The" outlook in the-Balkans is .growing brighter day by day. . 'The Serbians.: have captured'Veles, so completing their conquest of ■the great system of lateral communications which'' supported the .Bulgarian front -before;'the offensive opened, anjl are still pressing ''.",. forward. The British.'have:broken through the formidable mountain •-defences on the south-western frontier of Bulgaria, and as news stands the invasion is" developing.. According to. a' Bulgarian army in South-western Serb la has been surrounded by the : Italians.. In Palestine; novv. hold .the western and south- "'. ern shores of the Sea of Galilee,'and;a Turkish army on the. Hejaz' railway is ■ imminently threatened with the fate of those which were ■~ lately annihilated .in .the area wesVof.the Jordan. Considerable sees' tions of the.railway.and other workers on strike in England and , . Wales have resumed work, and a general resumption of work is anticipated. Further accounts are given of serious'internal conditions in Germany! \ ] :. ..--,.■ . : Ina late message Sir Douglas Haig reports-'that the British are on a wide front v east of Arras.

THE NEW FRANCO-AMERICAN ATTACK EIMY LINES PEMATED TO DEPTH OF SEVEN MILES \ ; ;ny& THOUSAND PRISONERS AND TWELVE ;".'. ; - ■ v: ~ S ;-,towns"captured:. ' ; 'Br Telejraph-Preu Asigclatlon-CopTriiW. . !■ ■'■'■' •'■' ''■■'" ■■..-'" ..'■.'■ (Rec. September 27, 9.15 p.m.) '.I,', -";.- : ;'vl':.. '".'.'':-\ '".''V. ■ ■ • ' September 26. The Americans north-west of' Verdun have penetrated the enemy lilies .toan.average depth of seven'miles, and captured eight towns. They' also ." seoured more than fivo thousand prisoners.. The towns captured sare Malaiicourt;' Bethincourt, Montfaucon, Xuisy, Nantillos,. Septzarges, Danneroux, and Gercourt.—Aus.-N.Z.;Cable,'Assn! '': ..'

■■■ '••»'.■'■■■' (R*c; September 27J 11.15 p.m.) Ottawa, September 27. '■ The Americans in,the Verdun region captured-a total, of twelve towns.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. \ •',■". (Rec.- September 27, 10.50 'p.m.) . >.. :. .' . ' ,\; ■.■.'■'.■•'' Paris, September 26..;. • The Fourth French Army is engaged in the new.battle.' The field is the same as 1 the battle of September 25, 1915, was< fought upon. The German.B •seem to have - got .wind of .the attack during the past week. They •multiplied their raids, and .special rations were served /out to the men..— ,Ays.-N.Z. 'Cable Assn. ...--. '/ ALL FIRST OBJECTIVES TAKEN; ~•'.":."-...■'.■'•'•', Chicago, September 26. . Mr, Bell Price,, correspondent in Paris for the "Chicago Daily News," says that the Franco-American' offensive is the largest they have undertaken. .The 'front extends for fifty-four' miles. There was an enormous concentration of artillery and gas shells.' 'AH'the first objectives are reported"• to haye : -been. taken;—Aus.-N.Z. : Cable, Assn. -•,■'"' ■■> ENEMY'S 1 FORWARD POSITIONS VOLUNTARILY ABANDONED. ''• / : ":\ "-'■■'■ ; .'■• (Rec. September 27,'11!55 p.m.) ." • "'■:"'■... ■'■",.'■ , London, September 26. The. Franco-American.offensive was on a forty-mile front between the Rivers Siiippe and"Meuse. ; The attacking forces have progressed to a depth of. some - miles. The enemy volniitarily abandoned his forward positions, consequently there was little artillery or infantry resistance.—Reuter. 7 ~".'.BRmSH ATTACK ON WIDE FRONT SATISFACTORY PROGRESS MADE. ■ •■ ■ The High Commissioner reports:— London, September 27, 11.50 a.m. . Sir, Douglas Haig. reports: "South of the Senses River, at 5.20 this ttorning,wo attacked, on. a-wide front. Satisfactory progress is reported.".

OFFICIAL DISPATCHES ..'... ■;■■:;■ THE FRENCH REPORT ./.'■■'' •" "•. '" " London, September 26. "• A French communique.'states:—"At 5 o'clock this morning we attacked in, the Champagne in co-operation with the American Army operating farther east. Between the Ailette and the Aisne the enemy renewed his attacks last evening' in the regions of Alemaiit arid Moulin de Laffaux. He succeeded in penetrating'our lines at the latter point, but our energetic coun-ter-attack .re-established the situation. Farther south weextended our gains eaßt of ■'Saucy', and took prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. The High Commissioner- reports: London, September 26, 11.20 p.m. A French-communique states:—"ln to-day's attacks we.made progress at je,rtain points to a depth of six kilometres (about 3| miles). The battle continues." '■ '■' ■' SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS BY THE BRITISH •■■■/■■ .1 ........ London, September 26. ' ,Sir- Douglas Haig reports:—"We successfully continued local operations during tlie afternoon and at night north-west of St. Quentin. The English made progress, ami captured i certain strongly-defended'localities in the neighbourhood of Selency and Gricourt, and took a huniber of'prisoners. Besides the; counter-attacks launched by the enemy north-west of Fayet, ho. also twice 'unsuccessfully- attacked us north-west of Gricourt. The English were successful in minor operations north-west of La ; Bas'see, and advanced the line. We : repulsed a counter-attack in this locality in-tho night. Wo improved pur'positions slightly north-west of A'rmontieres."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter, ; THE GERMAN REPORT ■ ; London, September 26. '.A German wireless official report states:—"Tbe enemy temporarily gain-ed-a footing on the height between Potftruit and Gricourt,'but our counterattack recaptured it.'' "The French made small breaches-iii our positions be- ■ tween Francilly. and the Somme,"—Aum.-N.Z, Cable Assu.-Reuter.

BRITISH IMPROVE THEIR POSITIONS . London, September 26. •The Germans heavily.shelled many points from St. Quentin towards Cambrai. The British have slightly improved their positions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .. INTERVIEW WITH MARSHAL FOCH • NO OF OPERATIONS DURING THE WINTER. . London, September 26. ; , An interview with Marshal Foch has been "published. . The terms of it are interpreted as' meaning that 'there will, be no .cessation of. .operations, during the winter.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '.';..•■, '' ■ • THE ENEMY'S.'DREAD OF THE TANKS. • . '...'.■ London, September 26. Mr! ...Beach. Thomas "writes:—"Owing to the enemy's dread of the tanks, ■water is playing an. increasingly lar?e part in,. the'._Germans'- : defences. Their engineers are-busy flooding the canals and rivers in the. Soiichez Valley ■and the Sensee, south' .Cable Assn.'; THE WAR IN THE AIR London, September 26. The Air Ministry reports:—-"Squadrons yesterday, attacked the aerodiome at Buhl, and also Kaiserslauterii, with good results.. Large numbers of.ewmy machines attacked.ours on the homeward journey. Two were brought down and three. British aire missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu-ter, .. ■ \ ■ 'V 'FRANKFORT FACTORIES ATTACKED. .'■-....•■ . (Kec. September 27, 11.55 p.m.) ■ ■..•; ■ ■. London, September 26. .The Air Ministry reports': "Our aeroplanes on Wednesday attacked factories at Frankfort, with good results, Large numbers of enemy aircraft were encountered, and very heavy fighting ensued. We shot down five hostile machines.out of control.., Four of ours have not-returned.—"Aus.-N.Z. Cable • ; ■ "

FIRST BULGARIAN ARMY SURROUNDED

BRITISH FORCES ENTER BULGARIA SERBIANS WIN IMPORTANT VICTORY ; .''.. . '.*■ V New York, September 26. '-.' The Italians have Surrounded the First Bulgarian Army in the neighbourhood of Krushevb. The Serbians have.reached the. outskirts, of Islvtip (twenty miles east di Veles, or Koprulu). The Serbians. havo captured Gradsko (fifteen miles 6outli-east of Veles), and Veles—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii. .'.. • ' : ; The New: Zealand High Commissioner reports:—• , . : '.■ ''-'.. London, September 26, 2 p.m. .'The British.forces entered-Bulgaria jjeßterday,: .opposite Kosturino (five mile's south of Strumnitza). • o

WAY .OPEN TO THE HEART OF BULGARIA

(Rec. September 27, .740 p.m.).

London, September 26. The. British invasion of Bulgaria' shows that the troops forced their way. into the Strumnitza plain'through a break in the' mountains between the Belashit'za and the Plausli ranges, whero there is .a pass 2000 feet high. Serbian, military'experts in London describe it as a magnificent feat of arms. The British are within five miles of .Strumnitza, and the seems open to '»«' advance into the heart of Bulgaria.—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Assii.

'" BRITISH CONTINUE THE ADVANCE INTO BULGARIA,

(Rec. September 27, ILSS p.m.)

London; September 26. ~ A British official report from Salonika states: "Our cavalry and infantry continue to.advance into Bulgaria. The Britisli and tho Greeks are advancing up the steep Belasbitza Range. Tho Greeks are approaching the crest of the mountains northward of Lake Doiran. Our troops in the centre have reached.. Dzumaaobasi'.—Aus.-N. Z. Cable Assn.-R-euter.

BULGARS ROUTED BY THE SERBIANS

ENORMOUS SUPPLIES CAPTURED

■••..■" ( '■ London, September 26. A -Serbian communique states :■ —"The Serbians won a most important' success "on' 'September 24. On the left bank of thoVardar we reached Kriva. Takovitza'and the outskirts of Ishtip. In this region we captured a colonel commanding a Bulgarian regiment, a considerable number of prisoners, four howitzers, three mountain guns, and a hundred wagons with the teams. ' Gradsko siatioii, which was defended by Germans, was'captured,' with enormous supplies, including mountain guns, mostly heavy. North of Prilep-we are pursuing the enemy near ■Izvor (seventeen miles north of Prilep), where he was completely rooted, while; retreating. Here wo captured a great number of wagons, with material. 'An ;enemy_ battery) which attempted to come into action, was attacked by-our machine-guiiß. - The men were killed, and the .guns were taken. A complete German machine- [fun section whioh was also captured complained that-they had been abandoned intentionally by the Bulgarians who were continually compelling the Germans to roturn to tho fightiiig-line. At.Troyali the enemy set nro to ■• his depots. Tho flames spread to a hoßpital,'.and over a hundred Bulgarian.wounded perished. • It is confirmed that the Bulgarians continue to commit atrocities on our soldiers whom they haveVcaptured."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. '•'.--. .."..'.. —~— '" ! ■ BULGARIAN ARMY BROKEN IN TWO. '.'." ' (Rec. September 27, 11.55 p.m.) ' '"" •-'.■- . ■■/ • London, September 26.'-. • The 'Serbians have captured Veles.. The .Anglo-Greek troops Jiave reached the western slope of the Belashitza mountains, wliich- constitute -tho main defence' of Bulgaria from the south. The main and lateral lines between Monastir,;, Prilep, and Voles aro now entirely in the hands of the Allies, and the Bulgarian Army is completely, broken in two.' These forces will-doubt-less endeavour to unite at Uskub,.but as Allied cavalry are only fifteen miles from Uskub, it is doubtful if any will slip through.—Aus.-N.Zi Cable Assn.

GREAT CAPTURES/OF GUNS, PRISONERS!.AND BOOTY,

(Rec. September 28,- 0.25 a.m;)

■,".." •;/.. - _''"' ". '•' London, September 26. 'A French Eastern communique states: "The operations on September fli and 25 were particularly successful.' The formidable Belashitza mountains have been captured. The British Army has crossed the Bulgarian frontier at Kosturiiig,'and is marching on tho Strumiiitca heights. Gradetz and Planina have been reached by the Franco-Greek troops, Tho Serbians have captured advanced positions north-west -of Monastir. /The .Allies are threatening the Bulgars towards the north; throwing them back on Albania. Some Allied prisoners have been released. Numerous additional guns and prisoners have been captured and considerable booty. ' A total of over ten thousand prisoners and.two hundred'guns has been counted."—Aus.-N:Z'. Cable Assn.-Router. "

.-';'■- SITUATION OF BULGARIAN ARMY DANGEROUS (Rec. September .28, 0.45 a.m.). London, September 26. Before the" Bulgarian line gave way the fighting was very severe. The Bulgarians'put up'a" determined resistance, sustaining beavy losses. The present situation of the Bulgarian Army is dangerous. If the Allies reach tJskub, the.effect will probably be decisive, : and mean the complete defeat of the Bulgarian Army. Our ten days' marching and fighting, in the'mountains, however, makes the organisation of communications difficult. , We, therefore, cannot depend on securing decisive results, but the enemy has sustained such heavy casualties and losses of material^ that the army's recovery, failing.effective support from the Central, Powers, is extremely doubtful. It is noteworthy that a great deal of the credit of the victory is due to the British, whose persistent attacks at Doiran, in face of heavy opposition, prevented tho enemy transferring rcscrves : to the westward to meet the-main attack.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' .'». STATE OF SIEGE PROCLAIMED IN SOFIA CHANGE IN FOEEIGN POLICY REPORTED. ■ ■ Berne, September 26. A-state of siego has been proclaimed in Sofia, and the Ministers are sitting continuously. It is rumoured-that Prince Boris (the- ! Crown Prince) will he appointed Regent. A change in tho foreign policy is reported, and •the German Government, is uneasy regarding _ the prospective changes. There are' reports that King Ferdinand is asking von Mackensen to assume command of the Bulgarian armies—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. KING GEORGE'S CONGRATULATIONS ON SERBIAN VIC- . -;■ . ..;.'' : TORIES. . $ ■ ■'.'■:. .(Rec. September 27, 8.30 p.m.). . .'•' '■'.■■ ' Washington, September 26. ''The' Serbian] Legation, has received advices from Corfu'that King Georgo has congratulated King Peter on tho Serbian victories in Macedonia.— Auß.-N.Z. Cable Assn,'