Battle of Luleburgas

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 143, 4 November 1912, Page 5

Battle of Luleburgas

400,000 Men Engaged

THE BATTLE OF LULEBURGAS. THE INVINCIBLE BULGARIANS. DESPERATE FIGHTING. 400,000 MEN ENGAGED. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. London, November 2. The Times's Sofia correspondent says that the Turks on Thursday made a desperate effort to retrieve the situation. They rallied between Chorlu and Istrandffia, reinforced by a division from Constantinople, but the Bulgarians were completely victorious, and captured Chorlu, Istrandja and Rosbots. Four hundred thousand participated in the battle at Luieburgas beginning on Tuesday and continuing obstinately with wavering success until Wednesday. Thereafter the Turks yielded all along the line. Skeuket Torgut Paslia attempted to create a diversion on Thursday. He landed at Midia (on the coast, east of Adrianople) with 20,000 men, and advanced towards Visa (about 25 miles inland), where General Kutchineff, with a body of Bulgarians, routed him. A GRAPHIC PEN PICTURE. FRENZIED FIGHTING. BULGARIANS' DASH UNEXAMPLED. DETAILS OF ME FIGHT.

Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Vienna, November 2,

The Reich Post, describing the final struggle, says that the decisive stage opened on Tuesday, Monday's bloody initial engagements having ended favorably for the Bulgarians' right wing at Luleburgas. The Bulgarian left wing, advancing vigorously near Bunarhissar (no t far from Visa), passed from the defensive to the offensive.

The Turks, here, had attempted to forestall the advance, threatening the line of retreat from Serai to Chataldja by taking the offensive from Serai, via Visa, against the Bulgarians. When, on Tuesday, a counter offensive attack began from a line running from the township of Uskub, nine miles eastward from Kirk Kilissia to Hajaefakti and Monastirdagh, the foremost Turkish lines were roused by a startling attack, executed with unprecedented elan, but fresh reserves enabled the Turks to' temporarily reform.

A bitter battle raged the whole day, the Turks eventually emerging in formless masses.

Simultaneously the Bulgarian right wing attacked the Turks' position near Luleburgas from Babeski and Yenikieni, driving the Turks from their fortified .lines on Elandere, Kavakk, Besi and along the Ergene river, back upon Luleburgas. Most of the positions were stormed at the bayonet's point. The infantry, admirably supported by the artillery, kept the Turks down at decisive moments by an overwhelming Are, but some of the positions were taken without artillery support. The Bulgarians' dash was unexampled. The infantry transited the battle cry "Na Xost!" meaning "To the knife!" into reality without any concession to modern tactical considerations. Whole regiments, 400 paces from the enemy's l line, threw themselves in a single rush on the foe without firing a shot or taking cover. Each individual went for the Turks with the bayonet. The officers were powerless against the frenzy of the troops, and were obliged to adopt tactics of frenzy themselves. THE TURKISH ARMY. IN DESPERATE STRAITS. Received 3. 5.5 p.m. London, November 2. The Chronicle's Constantinople correspondent says that thousands of troops at the front are unarmed and without uniform. The commissariat has failed. He reports that the reverses have embittered the Moslems, who were buoyed up by false statements of successes, and who are now anxious whether they are on the eve of terrible deeds. Five thousand wounded arrived at Stamboul on Thursday, and 7000 more are coining. The war correspondents are practically

prisoners at Abdullah's headquarters. A PANIC-STRICKEN STAMPEDE. "THE BULGAR f SNS ARE COMING." Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, November 2. The inhabitants of Kirk Kilissia were unaware of the Turkish disaster until two in the afternoon, when the cry "The Bulgarians are coming!" arose. In a twinkling pandemonium broke loose. The population flocked to the railway station, and the soldiers stormed the trains and compelled the drivers at the point of the revolver to steam out. Others trudged afoot towards Luleburgas. All the villages between Adrianople and Lule Burgas are burning, the Moslems firing their own villages before quitting. STREWN WITH THE DEAD. FURTHER ATROCITIES. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, November 2. The roads towards Chatnldja are scattered with dead and , dying, and weapons and clothing. The Christians in the forefront of the Turkish lines in the recent battles endeavored to attract the notice of their co-religionists on the opposite side by the sign of the cross. The newspaper Mir states that the Turks, before evacuating Bunarhissar. imprisoned and incinerated 200 Bulgarians in the barracks. They massacred the Bulgarians wholesale. THE BATTLE OF KIRK KILISSTA. A GRUESOME WAR STORY. STARVING REFUGEES. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople. November 2. Details of the terrible fight at Kirk Kilissia show that Hilmi Bey. commanding 20.000 troops, advanced and encountered three divisions. They attacked

Bulgarians' Frenzied Fighting

British War Vessels Mobilising

Belgrade, November 2.

simultaneously, sending a flanking column against each wing. The fight with the central foody continued from noon until night, but the flanking columns failed to come into contact with the enemy. One division had, without informing Hilmi, advanced and stationed itself behind Hilmi's two detached columns. The. latter was between the Bulgarian and Turkish fire, leading to a panic. A captured Turkish officer subsequently remairTfd: "We have been starving for a week. I was scarcely able to obtain a small roll. A number of horses are dying each day. It is impossible for soldiers worn out and starving to fight." Upwards of ten thousand ragged, starving Kirk Kilissia refugees, including many women and children, are camping in the courtyards of the Sta r >iboul mosques. •A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE. THE PORTE APPREHENSIVE. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, November 2. The Porte, with a view to preserving order and preventing outbreaks, strenuously keeps the public in ignorance of events at the front. It is also sending a division to stop all fugitive solaiers between Chataldja and Stamboul. The reported shooting of Aziz is officially denied. THE SIEGE OF ADRIANOPLE. AN OFFER REFUSED. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Sofia, 'November 2. The Bulgarians have invited civilians to quit Adrianople. The commandant has replied that he rs willing if the garrison is likewise given a free passage. The Bulgarians have refused. NAZIM PASHA'S ARMY. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Vienna, November 2. The Reichpost states that only fractions of Nazim Pasha's army got behind Chataldja. SCUTARI IN EXTREMES. APPEAL~FOR HELP. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, November 2. Essad Pasha, himself an Albanian, has telegraphed to Salonika asking for Turkish troops, adding that it is impossible to hold .Scutari with the Albanians alone. THE ALLIES TO CONFER. I

The Parliaments of the Balkan States will hold a joint Parliamentary session, lasting for three days, at Uskub (where Dushan in 1349 sanctioned the first Servian laws)' immediately after the close of military operations. DIPLOMATIC DUPLICITY. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. London, September 2. The newspapers consider that the publication of Nazim Pasha's despatches was a mere attempt to keep the Stamboul populace quiet. A GREEK MASSACRE. THE HORRORS OF WAR. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. Athens, November 2. The Turkish flying columns on the evening of October 22, traversed from Sarantaporos to Metaxa, seized fiftytwo inhabitants, conveyed them to Servindji and cast them into prison, where seventy-three Greek captives were imprisoned. The Governor liberated 125 soldiers, and an armeil crowd surrounded them and massacred 121, including five priests. Their noses anil hands were then cut off. I A Christian villager was brought to Janina and murdered in the market place in the presence of the authorities. THE FEELING IN BRITAIN. THE PUBLIC HORRIFIED. Received 3, 5.5 p.m. London, November 2. Intense interest is being displayed in the war, and the public are horrified at the details. A full meeting of the Cabinet was held to-night. The King is constantly informed of any developments in Turkey. THE FEDERATION PROPOSALS. Received 3, 5.45 p.m. Vienna, November 3. The proposal from M. Poincare (Foreign Minister) for mediation has been received. RUMOURED TURKLSI-I VICTORY. Constantinople, November 3. Nazim Pasha reports that he has resumed the offensive and has recaptured Bunarchissar. BRITISH VESSELS MOBILISING. Received 4, 1.5 a.m. London, November 3. There is unwonted activity at Portsmouth. The sixth and seventh destroyer flotillas and several battleships are preparing for sea. The authorities' explanation that this is a quarterly mobilisation is unsatisfactory, and it is supposed that the vessels are intended for the near East. THE BATTLE OF LULEBURGAS. A PANIC-STRICKEN ENEMY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Vienna, November 1. The Reiclipost says that 230,000 participated in the battle on the line from Visa to Luleburgas. The Turks' retirement from Babaeski and their right ■wing's attack on Bunarhissar led the Bulgarians to bring the left wing earlier ' than expected into contact with the advancing Turks. The shock of the battle 1 at this point was extremely violent.

The engagements were fiercely fought out in the woods, where the Redif'battalions. or reserves from Asia Minor, behaved with great gallantry, but their advance, despite the continual summoning of fresh reserves, was gradually checked. The Turks' line was completely

broken, and being hemmed in they retired with heavy loss. It was Kirk Kilissia over again.

The Turks began a courageous rush; then the broken ranks became panicstricken, and the panic spread to | the entire army corps. Four divisions Were shattered and dispersed in disorder.

The Turks had entrenched several strong lines on cither side of Luleburgas. The Bulgarian artillery took a position on the flank of the entrenchments, and shelled the lines. The rout was complete, threatening the last line in defence of Chatalja. The Bulgarian infantry showed remarkable contempt of death. NEWS FROM SOFIA. Sofia, November 1. The train captures of the advanced Bulgarians are enabling rapid transit of troops and supplies to the south and east of Adrianople. It appears that the Turks two or three years ago maintained a garrison of 15.WW men at Mustaffa, near the Bulgarian border, but, acting on the advice of General von der Golt'z, reduced it to a comparatively weak force. The Turkish authorities before the outbreak warned the Bulgarian notabilities that if the town was attacked the Turks would shoot all the Bulgarians; but they retired without carrying out the threat. The Mir newspaper says that if Turkey desires peace she must negotiate with the Allies and not seek the intervention of the Powers. GARIBALDIAN VOLUNTEERS. Rome, November 1. Ricciottt Garibaldi has gone to Athens to raise 3000 volunteers, including a thousand Greeks at Patras, where his wife will organise a Garibaldian ambulance corps. CONSTANTINOPLE THREATENED. London, November 1. The first Austrian squadron is at Trieste in readiness to proceed to Salonika. A large force of Servians is quitting Macedonia and proceeding to Adrianople. Fanatics at Stamboul, aroused by the defeats, threaten to massacre the Christians. It is stated that a state of siege has been proclaimed. The Bulgarians are within twenty-five miles of Constantinople. Owing to the atrocities after recent defeats, the Bulgarians intend to- command the capital in the interest of Christians. Sofia reports the capture of Utrumitza. AUSTRIAN NAVAL MOVEMENT. Vienna, November 1. The cruiser Kaiserin Maria Teresa has proceeded to Salonika to protect the Austrians. THE TURKISH ROUT. Constantinople, November 1. The Turks held their own well at Ivirk Kilissia until the fatal night attack. In the general sauve qui peut, the Turks discarded their coats and boots. THE SERVIAN ADVANCE. Belgrade, November 1. There are now fifty trains daily be- ; tween Vranja and Uskub. ANOTHER ISLAND OCCUPIED. Athens, November 1. The Greeks have occupied Samothrace. FATE OF A CRUISER. TURKISH VICTORY CLAIMED. Constantinople, November 1. A Greek torpedo sank the cruiser Feethibulend in the Gulf of Salonika. The Feethibulend sank in five minutes. Part of her crew were ashore; and nearly all the remainder were saved. The Turks claims to have repulsed the Bulgarians at Visa, a small town midway -between Adrianople and Constantinople. IMPORTANT POSITIONS IN THE WAR.

Adrianople (which is now invested by the Bulgarians) is the third largest city in European Turkey. Its population is about 100,000, of whom half are Turks, about 20,000 Jews, and the rest Greeks, Bulgars, Armenians, etc. It is only a few miles from the Bulgarian frontier at Mustafa Pasha (which has been already captured by the Bulgarians), and is defended by a ring of powerful modern forts. It occupies both banks of the River Tunja at its confluence with the Maritza, which is navigable to this point in spring and winter. Adrianople is on the railway from Belgrade and Sofia to Constantinople and Salonika. It is only 137 miles from Constantinople, and its importance from a strategical point of view is therefore apparent. In appearance it is thoroughly Oriental—a mass of mean, irregular wooden buildings, threaded by narrow, tortuous streets. The town was occupied bv the Russians in 1829, and also in 1878. Salonika, the capital of the Turkish province of Salonika, towards whicli the allied armies are marching, is in Western Macedonia, and is one of the principal seaports oi south-eastern Europe. The population is about 130,000, includi«g some 80,000 Sephardic Jews, whose ancestors fled in the 16th century from Spain and Portugal. The city lies at the head of the Gulf of Salonika, on the Aegean Sea, and is picturesquely situated. There are electric traimvays.and a good water supply. All the import trade of Macedonia and two-thirds of that of Albania goes through Salonika. It is the terminus of four railways. One goes west to Monastir, one north _to Mitrovitza, through Uskub, one to Xish (Servia), through Uskub, and the fourth east through Constantinople. Scutari, whicli is now being besieged by the Montenegrins, is the capital of the vilayet (province) of Scutari, and the principal city of Albania. The town is situated in a very picturesque position on the south-eastern shore of Lake Scutari which is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, in the centre of a plain, enclosed on all sides by lofty mountains, except where it adjoins the lake. • The population is about 40 000 and the principal trade is done in grain 'wool, hides and skins, tobacco and sumach. But Salonika and other districts served by the railways, tend to divert commerce. Its bazaars and mosques give Scutari an Oriental appearance, but the finest of its buildings are Italian—an old Venetian citadel on a jiitrh crag, and a Roman Catholic Cathedral. The Austrian Government subsidise a Jesuit College and a seminary, and the town is the seat of a Roman Catholic Archbishop. Scutari has a history. Its ancient name was Scodra, and Livy relates that it was chosen as the capital by the Illyrian King Gentius, who was here besieged in 108 8.C., and carried captive to Rome. ■ In the seventh century it fell into the hands of the Servians, from whom it was wrested by the Venetians, and finally, in 1479, the Turks acquired it by treaty. The Servian army, in capturing Uskub (the capital of the vilayet of Kossovo), have entered a district which recalls both

glorious and sad memories for the Servian people. In the 14th century the Servian territory extended far beyond its existing boundaries, and embraced most of the district now known as Macedonia. Its famous ruler Dusnan, declared Uskub to be' the capital of its kingdom, and was crowned and held a Parliament there in the year 1346. But after Dusnan's death in 1355 the glories of the empire passed away. At Kossovopolie ("field of black birds") the Turkish army annihilated the Servian forces in the year 1389, and heroic deeds accomplished at the Battle of the Plains of Kossovo have been the subject of many a legend and folk song of the Balkan peoples. In ancient times Uskub was known as Scupi, and the city was one of the chief cities of Northern Macedonia. It was destroyed by earthquake in A.D. 518, and was rebuilt by the Roman Emperor Justinian, who called it Justinian Prima.

THE COUNTRIES AT WAR. The area of European Turkey is 63,350 square miles (about the size of the North Island of New Zealand). The total area of the Turkish Empire (including Asia Minor) is 1,157,000 square miles. The population of European Turkey is 0,130,200, and the total of the Empire 24,600,000. The areas and population of the States at war with Turkey are as follows: Area in Square miles. Population Greece 25.014 2,632,000 Bulgaria .... 24,380 4,329,000 Servia 18,650 -2,912,000 Montenegro . 3,630 250,000 Total .... 71,674 10,123,000