The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 October 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY. ~ Servian Success — Enemy Retires in Disorder —Russians Cross tbe Zlota-Lipa—Another Enemy Airship Destroyed. By the capture of the whole of Mount Kajmacklan they have secured the key to the plain of Monastir, and have broken the enemy's lines on a front of 18 miles. Through this breach they are pouring as fast as the natural difficulties of the region permit. The Bulgarians are retreating in disorder. A terrible battle has raged for ~^^fe days at Brzezany, on the . The Russians crossed the river, and captured the opposing heights. The destruction of a Zeppeiin at Mannheim, on the Rhine, on September 22, by allied airmen, has been admitted in Germany. Of the two Zeppelins brought down in England on September 23, one was destroyed by Lieutenant Sowrey, and the other disabled by Lieutenan Brandon, formerly of "Wellington. Both officers have been awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

SATURDAY. New Zealand Attack—All Objectives Gained—Russians Press Forward —British Transport Sunk. The Otago and CanterbuTy regiments attacked enemy positions beyond Flers on Sunday afternoon, and gained all their objectives. The attack was preceded by a very heavy "bombardment. The flanks of the assaulting force were supported by the AucKland Regiment and the Rifle Brigade, while the Wellington Regiment was in reserve, and afterwards occupied the ground taken by the Otago Regiment. The- Russian* are gaining the upper hand in Galicia and Volhyuia. It is believed that they have forced the passage of the Naraiuvka.

The Russians have resumed the offensive in the coastal region of Armenia, and have swept forward on a wide front under the cover of the guns of the Black Sea fleet.

The Cunard steamer Franconia, of 18,150 tons, was sunk by a submarine in the Mediterranean on Wednesday. The vessel was engaged on transport duty, but was not carrying troops when attacked. Twelve members of the crew are missing. A total of 302 persons were saved.

MONDAY. More Gains on Somme — Capture of Le Sars — Terrific Battle in Russia — Unparalleled Enemy Losses—Bulgarians Driven BackBritish Capture Villages.

A striking success has been gained in Picardy. The British and French made a joint attack on a front extending from the Albert-Bapaume road to Bouchavesnes. The British advanced from 600 yds to 1000 yds, and captured the village of LeSars. The French carried their line forward 1300 yds, gaining the crest of the Sailly ridge.

On the Struma front, the British have occupied Nevoljen, and six other villages on a ten-mile front east of the river.

After three days' stubborn fighting the Roumanians have captured positions in Eastern Transylvania. Violent fighting continues on the Dobrudja front.

A telegram from Sir Douglas Haig has been communicated to His Excellency ; the Governor, in which the Commatder-in-Chief of the British Army warmly praises the New Zealand Division for its gallantry and success during 23 days of continuous fighting on the Somme front.

I TUESDAY Bulgarians Retiring—Allies nearing > ifHonastlr — Sinking of British jijyhips ••■— German troops in

In their progress towards the a Servian town of Monastir, the allies *}tave reached the Bulgarian third line, which they are now attacking vigorously.

The Somme front has been comparatively quiet, but the British have advanced considerably north of Courcelette and south-west of Ghieudecourt. The capture of Le Sars, reported yesterday, iemoves another fortress defending Bapuume. /i semi-official statement issued by Boumania explains that the with» drawal in Translyvania was due to stronger enemy forces, mostly German making an attncic. Everything shows that the enemy ia attempting to strike a desperate blow in Transylvania, and is collecting troops fjom other fronts.

It i* lepjrted 'that an Austrian battleship has been blown up at Pola.

Two, and possibly four, British. ships—ono employed on Red Cros? work — have been sunk off the American c ast by the Geiman submarine which was reported to have called at Newport News.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

WEDNESDAY Gain in the Balkans—Roumanians Forced Back. The allies have gained ground at several points on the Balkan front. The British are following up the retreating Bulgarians east of the Struma, The Servians continue to cross the Iserna River, south-east of Monastir, and have again defeated the Bui gars.

The Roumanian retirement in Transylvania, which was made necessary by the concentration of German troops, was skilfully executed, and the position of the army is excellent.

Further slight gains have been made by the British on the Somme front, in the course of which heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy.

M. Venizelos and other leaders of the National movement in Greece received a cordial welcome on the island ofMitylene, where the Greeks denounced King Constantino. It is reported that the Greek fleet has gone over to the National movement. THURSDAY French Gain Ground—Fierce Battle for Monastir—Servians Attack Key Position. The French have made a successful attack on a three-mile front in the suuthern sector of the Somme battlefield, advancing between Berny and Chalunes, carrying portion of the outskirts of Ablaincourt. The enemy sustained heavy losses, and the French captured 1250 prisoners. The Bulgarians are withdrawing on the Struma front, Eastern Macedonia, and the British have occupied two more villages. The Bulgarian losses here and elsewhere are reported to have been very heavy. Thf> Servians are now fighting for a height which is the key to Monastir.