BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1918, Page 5

BALKANS.

INTO THE STRUMNITZA PLAIN. British Magnificent Feat. Way Opened to Heart of Bulgaria Received Sept, 27, 7.40 p.m. London, Sept. 20. The British invasion of Bulgaria shows that troops forced their way into the Struniiiiti:a plain through the break in the mountains between Belashitza and the Plaush ranges, where there is a pass two thousand 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 way seems open to advance into the heart of Bulgaria.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

BULGARIAN ARMIES. COMPLETELY BROKEN IN TWO. A RACE FOR USKTJB. Received Sept. 28, 12.45 a.m. London, Sept. 27. The Serbians have captured Veles. The Anglo-Greeks have reached the western slope of Belashitza mountains, which constiti:t" the main defence of Bulgaria irom the south and main lateral lines. Monastir, Prilep, and Veles are now entirely in the hands of the Allies, and the Bulgarian army is completely broken in two. These forces will doubtless endeavor to unite at Uskub, but as the Allied cavalry are only fifteen miles from Uskub it is doubtful if any of the Bulgarians will slip through.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE BRITISH AND GREEKS. CONTINUE TO ADVANCE. Received Sept. 27, 11.55 p.m. London, Sept. 26. British official (Salonika): Our cavalry and infantry continue to advance into Bulgaria. The Anglo-Greeks are advancing up the steep Belashitza range. The Greeks are approaching the crest of the mountains northward of Lake Doiran. Our troops in the centre have reached Dzumaaobasi.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.

SERBIANS REPORT SUCCESSES. IMPORTANT CAPTURES. MORE BULGARIAN ATROCITIES. London, Sept. 20. A Serbian communique reports: The Serbians on the 24th gained a most important success on the left bank of the Vardar and reached Krivolak and the outskirts of Istip. In this region we captured a colonel commanding a Bulgarian regiment and a considerable number of prisoners, also four howitzers, three mountain guns, and 100 wagons with teams. Gradsko station, which was defended by Germans, was captured with enormous supplies, including mountain guns, mostly heavy. Northwards of Prilep we are pursuing the enemy near livor, where he was completely routed and retreating. We here captured a great number of wagons with material. An enemy battery Which attempted to come into action was attacked by our machine-guns, the men killed, and the guns taken. Complete German machine-gun sections, which also were captured, complained that they had been abandoned intentionally by the Bulgarians.

The Germans are continually comae!ling the Bulgarians to return to "the fighting line. At Troyali the enemy set fire to the depots, and the flames spread to the hospital, where over 100 Bulgarian wounded perished. It is confirmed that the Bulgarians continue to commit atrocities on our captured soldiers.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association, and Reuter.

STATE OF SIEGE AT SOFIA. GOVERNMENT' CHANGES. Berne, Sept. 20. A atate of siege has been proclaimed at Sofia and Ministers are sitting continuously. It is rumored that Prince Boris will be appointed Regent. It is reported that a change will take place in the foreign policy. The German Government is uneasy rejgarding the prospective changes. I It is reported that King Ferdinand is j asking that General Mackensen shall assume command of the Bulgarian armies. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. BULGARIA INVADED. New York, Sept. 26. The Allies have invaded Bulgaria. The Serbs have captured Gradsko and also reached the outskirts of Ishtip.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A BULGARIAN ARMY SURROUNDED. New York, Sept, 20. The Italians have surrounded the First Bulgarian Army in the neighborhood of Krushevo. The Serbians have captured Veles.—Aua. N.Z. Cable Assoc. KING GEORGE'S CONGRATULATIONS

Eeceived Sept. 27, 8.30 p.m. Washington, Sept. 26. The Serbian Legation has received advices from Corfu that King George has congratulated King Peter on the Serbian victories KX-Cable

IF THE ALLIES REACH USKUB FIRST. OFFENSIVE PROBABLY BE DECISIVE. IMPORTANT PART PLAYED BY BRITISH. Received Sept. 28, 12.45 a.m. London, Sept. 27. Before the Bulgarian line gave way the fighting was very severe. The Bulgarians put up a determined resistance, sustaining heavy losses.

The present situation of the Bulgarian army U dangerous. If the Allies reacli Uskub, the effect will probaMy be decisive and mean the complete defeat of the Rulgarian army. Our continuous ten day,' marching and fighting in the mountains, make of communications difficult. Wc, there/ore, cannot depend upon securing decisive results, but V 0 enemy has sustained such heavy casualties and losses of material that his recove! y, failing effective support from the Central Powers, is extremely doubt' ful.

It is noteworthy that a great deal of thp credit for the victory is due to the British, whoso persistent attacks on Doiran in the face of heavy opposition prevented the enemy from "transferring his reserves westward to meet the main attack.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A'ssoo.

FORMIDABLE MOUNTAINS. CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH. BIG CAPTURES OF PRISONERS. GUNS, ETC. Received Sept. 28, 12.25 a.m. London, Sept. 26. A French Eastern communique says: The operations on September 24 and 25 were particularly successful. The formidable Belashitza mountains have been captured, and the British army crossed the Bulgarian frontier at Kosturino, marching on the Strumnitza heights. Gradetz and Planina have been reached by the Franco-Greeks. The Serbians captured advanced positions north-west of Monastir.

The Allies are threatening tho Bulgarians towards the north and throwing them back on Albania. Some Allied prisoners have been released, and numerous further guns and prisoners captured, with considerable booty. A total of over 10,000 prisoners and 200 guns have been counted.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. '