THE NEW OFFENSIVE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 311, 20 September 1918, Page 5

THE NEW OFFENSIVE IN THE BALKANS

FOUR THOUSAND PRISONERS AND FIFTY GUNS New York, September 18. The Allies Lave captured four thousand prisoners in Macedonia, and fifty additional guns. The Bulgarians are showing signs of weakening.—Aus.N.Z. Gable Aesn. ADVANCE OF TEN MILES (Rco. September 20, 0.15 a.m.) London, September 19, 0.10 a.m. The latest reports from Salonika.show that tho Allies have penetrated to an average depth of ten miles along the Zborsko-Cherna front, ho Bulgarß are fighting with less vim than at the outset. A division of Greek volunteers raised by M. Venizclos participated in the attack.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT London, September 17. A Frenoli Eastern oommunique states: "The operations beguii on the 15th wore continued to-day, with complete success. The breach mado hi Dobropolje-Vetrenik front was widened to tho west and east, and now extends over a depth of twenty-five kilometres with a dopth of seven. West of Sokol tho Serbians carried the fortified zone between Gradesnitza and Okol, and crossed the river Gradesuitea, throwing the enemy back in disorder. On tho Itflzinibey bridge enemy units were caught by the fire from the airmen's machine-guns. East of Vetrenik the Allies curried tho Chelo and Golobilo massifs and the Zborsko defences. Over four hundred prisoners, over thirty guns, and considerable other booty were captured. The Serbian troops fought heroically in repulsing the Bulgarian counter-attacks, The offensive con-tinues."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. \ [The Dobropolje mountains aro situated between tho Koshuf Raugo, on the ■Serbo-Greck frontier, and the Eiver Clierna, where it runs north (east of Monastir) to the Vardar. The ■wostern spurs of the Dobropolje system command the Chorna valley.] " THE ALLIES HAVE GAINED COMPLETE SUPREMACY " (Ilea September 20, 1.30 a.m.) London, September 19. A'French Eastern communique states: ."Despite important reinlforcemeiits being hastily brought up and a desperate detenco, the Allied offensive continued successfully on September 17. All tho day's objectives wero reached. Our attacks wero developed on a front of over 20 miles, and reached a maximum depth of over 9 miles. The Serbians, co-operating with the. French an'tl Hellenic detachments, after a severe struggle-, captured the villages of Zovik and Stravilla, and tho heights of Volohitelta and Becmcate. Northwards ol! the Diver Gradestritza, tho village of Gradesnitza was captured. Despite a severe defence in the centre tho Allies progresssd on tho orest rising from luwiac to the north wnrd, and gained a 'footing on the heights of Kuchkowkamenx. Over fifty guns, including twenty heavy guns, have been taken, and very great booty. We also captured a number of prisoners, and the number is growing. The Allies have gained a complete air supremacy. The airmen are participating most actively in all directions."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.