The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1918. THE BALKANS OFFENSIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1918. THE BALKANS OFFENSIVE.

The rapidity of the Servian thrust, being far greater than was expected, has drawn attention to the position in the Balkans, with somewhat dramatic force. There has been a long period of comparative inactivity in this theatre of the war, and the operations now proceeding must create considerable interest, especially as they coincide with the crushing victory over the Turks in Palestine. In following the movements of the Allied forces it is as well to bear in mind that the Italians occupy the Albanian front south of the Semeni River, from the coast to the Devoli River. The sector from the bevoli River to Lakes Ochrida and Presba is held by the French. From the lakes to near the Vardar the French and Servians hold the

front, with some iiitl from the Greeks, while the Vardar valley and country to the eastward appear to be held by the British and Greeks. Considering that the country through which the advance lias been made by the Servian;;—who have been, so far, taking the leading part in the offensive—is very rugged and mountainous, the success, achieved has been surprising. An important factor in this success lias been the Work of the Allied airmen, who cleared the way for the advance by destroying the enemy's aerodromes, thus securing the command of the air, whereby they have been enabled not only to ma ? ; terially assist the land forces, but also to bomb and machine-gun enemy troops and transports when crowding along the road northwards in a hasty retreat. There is no question as to the extent of the defeat inflicted on the Bulgarians, who have been compelled, to fight desperate rearguard actions. An advance of nearly fifty miles, the capture of between nine thousand and ten thousand prisoners, and the liberation of twenty villages, testify to the energy with which the Servians are dealing with the enemy, emphasised by the fact that the Bulgars have evacuated the whole of the Doiran—Vardar line. The progress of the Servians has received no check, and appears to have gathered momentum as they advanced. They are now approaching Prilep, a vital centre in the enemy's road communications, about twenty-five miles north-north-east of Monastir. The boldness of this thrust shows that the Servians were pr-epared to take a great risk, but, assuming that it can be developed and maintained, we may look for far-reaching results. The latest news states that developments of importance may l)e expected, so that there is much ground for satisfaction at the progress of events on this front. Besides the splendid work accomplished by the Servians, the Allies have all taken action. On Saturday the Italians, in conjunction with the general offensive, began a vigorous advance in the Cerna bend, capturing the enemy's front positions. The Franco-Ser-vian armies on the Drachevico massif broke the serious resistance of the Bulgars, and advanced northwards,- while the FrancoGreeks co-operated Avith the Servians. The cutting of the railway line between Gradsko and Prilep, which was the German army's main line of communications, is of the greatest import in the general scheme of operations. All the Allied armies are pushing forward, presumably on a definite and well-thought-out plan, and it is stated that the only route of retreat for the Bulgars is up the Kosturino— Strumuitza Road, which is being heavily bombed. The crossing of the Vardar by the Allies indicates that they are prepared to follow up the offensive. The disposition of their armies appears to be strategically sound, and designed to secure the best results, as well as to afford that protection which is so essential in such a complex offensive as that which the nature of the country renders necessary. The present position may be regarded as most favorable, and if the Allies have sufficient forces to meet emergencies—as, no doubt, they have—there should be a prospect of invading enemy territory in the near future. Meanwhile developments will be watched with keen interest, especially as it is .possible in this theatre to deliver a telling blow against Germany. Later cable messages are distinctly encouraging. The GermanoBulgar troops have been forced as a result of the Allies' advance, out of the Monastir—Prilep region to the Vardar, thus liberating a third of the former Servian territory. A message from Paris says the First Bulgarian Army, operating in the Monastir—Prilep. region, has been isolated. This conflicts somewhat with the other message. The rapidity of the advance of the Servians in this region, liqwever, would make such isolation possible, seeing that Ihey have cut the main lines of communication. The Servians are superb fighters,, as they showed in their campaigns against Turkey, and later against Bulgaria, and during the earlier part of the present war against Austria. In the Crown Prince they have a proven leader of unusual capacity, and in Marshal Mich itch, the veteran Chief of Staff, a, general of genius. The Servians are animated by the passionate resolve to redeem their country from, the hands of the tyrants who have murdered and oppressed their people, and they have for the past two and a half years been awaiting and preparing for the opportunity now afforded them. The Bulgars have been particularly cruel and vindictive, and it is likely the Servians will soon be in a position to exact full payment.