MACEDONIAN CAMPAIGN.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 September 1918, Page 5

MACEDONIAN CAMPAIGN.

33 MILES IN A WEEK. LONDON, September 23 A Serbian communique issued on Sunday evening says: We liberated fifteen villages, forcing the German and Bulgarian reinforcements to retreat, We crossed to the left bank of tho Yardar and cut the'main railway line between Uskub and Salonika, and crossed the Cerna. Wc cut the railway line between Gargsko and Prilip, which was the German army’s main line of communication. We advanced 33 miles between Sunday week and Saturday. Certain infantry units reached the highest points of a very mountainous region, and advanced 24 miles in one day. Booty and prisoners are constantly increasing.” v ONE-TH iRD OF SERBIA LIBERATED. LONDON, Sept 23. The Serbians on Saturday and Sunday advanced nearly twenty miles. The total advance since the offensive began is nearly fifty miles. The number of prisoners is now between 9000 and 10,000. Over 120 guns have been captured. A division of cavalry reached the Yardar between Krivolak and the Iron Gate, Infantry followed closely, and crossed the river. Cavalry captured Vozartsi and Kavadar, cutting road communications between Prilep and Krivolak. The Serbians during the week-end captured over twenty villages. The retreating Bulgars shamefully treated the Serbian population. They transported the leading inhabitants to Asia Minor. As a direct consequence of the Serbian victory, and the Allies’ pres- , sure elsewhere, one-third of Serbian territory has been liberated.' The whole Gennano-Bulgar forces are be-. Ing compelled to retreat from Mon astir. to the Yardar. . The Serbian push has been In Ore rapid than was expected. The enemy’s only road ,of retreat is up the Kosturino-Strumnitza road, which is being heavily bombed. We are gathering a lot of booty, but there has ..not yet been time 'to count it. Important developments are expected. AIRMEN HEAVILY BOMBING RETREATERS. LONDON, Sept 23. British Salonika report: As a result of Anglo-Greek attacks, and continual heavy pressure in conjunction with the Franco-Serbian advance further west, the enemy has evacuated the whole line from Doiran to westward of the Yardar. He set on fire Cestovo Hudova station, and Tike and Tatarali dumps. Our airmen are heavily bombing and machine-gunning his troops and transport crowding along the northwards. We are advancing, and have reached the line Kara-Ogn-lar-Hamzali, a kilometre to the southward of Bogdanee, westward of the Yardar/ Y/e are advancing on Orzenci, in touch with the Greeks at Gurineet,: ' ■■■ PARIS, Sept 23. The “Petit Journal” states that the First Bulgarian Army, in the Monastir Prilep region, is isolated. ALLIES SWEEPING ON. LONDON, September 23. A French Eastern communique states: The Allied successes in Macedonia are attaining the character of a great victory. The Franco-Serbian advance towards tho middle of the Yardar compelled the enemy along the whole front of 15 kilometres, between Monastir and Doiran. to retreat precipitately, thc-i Allied troops closely pursuing

North-cast of Monastir, wc reached the lino Magili-Nanatalartis-Kalyani, while the .Serbians marching on Prilep and B'abuna Pass reached the Vardar from Demirkapu to Gradsko (nearly (20 miles.) Some detachments have already crossed the river. On the right bank, in the Vardar, Valley the Allied troops arc beyond the line Koynshc tear incot. On the left bank they have carried Ghovghcli, also the whole first enemy line as far as Lake Doiran. Rearguards are endeavouring to stem the pursuit. Enemy columns on the roads im thA region of Monastir, Krusgvo and Prilep, arc fleeing in indescribable disorder under incessant aircrafters ’ bombing and machinegunning. Numerous villages and dumps are burning Some prisoners, guns and enormous booty have been captured, including two long-range guns. Some demoralised Bulgarian elements flung down their arms and fled. Our advance Continues on the whole front of attack. allies north of doiran. Received 9.10 a.m. WASHINGTON, September 24 The Akglo-Grceks have advanced north of Doiran. and junctioned with the Franco-Grecks. The Bulgarians are fleeing.

SERBIAN ADVANCE CONTINUES j BULGARS DESERTING WHOLESALE. Received 8.50 a.m. LONDON, September 24. The Serbian advance continues across the Vardar. The Bulgarians are deserting wholesale. MUCH WAR MATERIAL CAPTURED BULGARS BURNING VILLAGES. Received 11 a.m. LONDON, Sept 24. A Serbian evening communique states: Our troops yesterday came into contact with the enemy towards Prilep, and reached the very steep massif Vrensjcn, Plamena, and several other points oh the Prilep Road. The enemy continues to fire villages and his own stores. Nevertheless a great quantity of war material has been captured, including several railway trains, , Bulgarian communique: As a resuit of our front line giving way between Cerna and Vardar our adjacent units were withdrawn to new positions south-west of Prilep.