THE LULE BURGAS ROUT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 30 December 1912, Page 6

THE LULE BURGAS ROUT

FEAKEUL SCENE .OF CARNAGE. Tho London Daily Chronicle's acoount of the rout of the Turks at Lulo Burgas, as supplied by its war correspondent, Mr M. H. Donohoo, speaks of "the disaster that befol tho Ottoman troops in that engagement as "a terrible, an appalling defeat, which 'has been followed by a confusion and a rout for whidh there is ■scarcely a parallel in history—a rout 'which in its later stages degenerated j into a wild panic and stampede wluch | quickly communicated itself to the' whole fighting force." To fully understand this dash, said Mr Donohoe, it must be explained that Liile Burgas lies in a cup-shaped depression encircled by hills. As the Bulgarians approached the railway ' station they were subjected to a severe and raking lire from the batteries ; behind the station and' the neighbouring hills. Deadly shrapnel tore through their ranks. When the. confusion caused by this unexpected firo appeared at its h'eiglit, the Ottoman cavalry, under

Salih Pasha, clashing from concealment with drawn swords, and shouting the Turkish war-ry, "Allah, Allah,"' swept- like a tornado upon the exposed infantry. None could bo. expected to withstand such an onslaught. The Bulgarians turned, and the Turkish cavalry simply <rode them down, causing extraordinary havoc in thoiii' ranks. Elated by their success the Turks continued the forward movement, but suddenly found themselves exposed to the fi-re'of the, Bulgarian machine &un section. This surprise attack brought both the Turks aJid thenHorses tunvbling to the ground, a "torn

and mangled mass. Few, indeed, of those gallant fellows ever came hi' - but found an heroic death- racing J down the hard and -stony vedlt towards the enemy. MOWED DOWN BY GUNS. Events succeeded o-aelii other . u startling succession. The Bulgarians, recovering from their temporary check, rushed forward their heavy artillery, and the remaining .survivor's of the Turkish garrison beat a hasty retreat in the direction of Lule Burgas railway station. The unerring aim of the Bulgarian artillery, however, cut short this retreat, and very few escaped as they crossed the pi a'" on their way to the cover offered o.r the neighbouring hills. It was now the turn of the Turkish artillery. The town was occupied only by the Turkish dead and the van- ' guard of the enemy. The Turkish ar- ' tillei\y from its position behind Lule Burgas accordingly opened a lieavv fire on the town, inflicting severe losses on'the enemy.: Shells • rained in Lule Burgas. Ernie 3« were destroyed and those Bulgarians uninjured oy projectiles were killed by falling ruin*. Meanwhile the Bulgarian artillery had not been idle. The Turkish positions were badly chosen, inas'muoh as they were exposed and practically without cover, while no selter trenches had been made for supporting infantry. RAPID ADVANCE OF BULGARIANS. v The result of this artillery duel was decidedly favourable to the. Bulgarian?, and caused heavy 'lasses to the Turks; on the other hand, the severe bombardment by the Turks led to its temporary evacuation by the enemy. Towards evening the fire to which Lula Burgas had lieen subjected and tho Bulgarian advance became more and more rapid. Large bodies of infantry, -supported by gung were pushed forward with incredible rapidity. To the. amazement of the Turkish staff the Bulgarians occupied: artillery positions which had apparently been previously selected. The batteries took up their positions as coolly as if they were engaged in -manoeuvres in peace time. And when they opened J fire they had the range of the neigh- • bouring hill's to a nicety.' ' The marksmanship wa.s superb and murderous. TURKS RUN OUT OF AM- ; MUNITION. The Turkish Oommander-in-Chiief had watched the fight from ihc heights near the village of Satikeui duo east of Imle Burgas. As ho ob-

served the Turkish artillery and in- I fantry mowed down his face lor tfi? I first time in the engagement grew J anxious. The Turkish artillery had I from the beginning been poorly' sup- i plied with ammunition, and what they lxad was practically all expended in the fight of the morning. Now many gunners stood round the empty limbers with folded arm a, unable to reply to the Bulgarian fire. They awaited death, which came swifty in most, cases, with tnie Ottoman courage. Along the whole Turkish front th? troops were harassed by a -.erriblo i fire. As time went on it. became ,sniI ply carnage. Men were falling in hnnj dreds. 'Ylw morale of the troops was completely destroyed by this appall in • ordeal of shell fire. BULGARIANS AND THE BAYONETS. With regard to th, c attack on th* Bulgarian infantry at the Ergene, the correspondent of the Vienna. Reichpost reported as follow : "The infantry took most of the Turkish positions by storm with the bayonet, being admirably supported by their artillery, wlridh. at the decisive moment, was able to .hold back the Turks <>. V annihilating fire. At the same time Turkish positions were repeatedly at I tacked and taken by the Bui garb n «

infantry without any artillery preparation or support. ''The Bulgarian infantry translates its battle-cry 'Na. Nos!' (to the knife!) immediately into reality without any concession to modern tactical considerations. Whole regiments. 400 pac* •=; or more from the o.n«mv. rise m the firing-line, and in a single irresistible nis.lt, without halting to fire, and despisino- cover, Irur! themselves on tlx 1 enenm flrcry ainele man vvishes literally to get at the Turks with the I bayonet. . . "Ap-ainst. this frenzy "f their men

the officers" are powerless. Any a'.fcemot to hold the troons hack J> futile. A regiment which was not, yet in the firing-line but- wa.s lipid in line formation as a reserw shouting tlx- wild battle-cry, threw itself at the call of « non-commissioned officer noon the foe. without naying tho Ipast. rec-nrd to t-lie order to halt -md li? down." (