THE BATTLES IN MACEDONIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 271, 1 November 1916, Page 5

THE BATTLES IN MACEDONIA.

Attack on Monastic Renewed. Gradual Progress Maintained. „ j [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] A ' London, October 3 1. Mr. Ward Price (the “ Daily Mail’s ” correspondent at Salonika) says that after a postponement of two days, caused by bad weather, the French and Serbians on the2/th renewed the attack on Monastir. The Allies continue to make gradual progress, especially in the loop of the Cerna river. The fighting for Monastir may seem to be tedious, but it must be remembered that we have lengthened the line of communications, whereas the Bulgarians are falling back on prepared defences. Big guns and heavy ammunition move slowly on the steep Macedonian roads, and only partial attacks are possible the artillery is in position. When everything was ready for the assault the weather let us down. The mud made the branch roads insuperable even for the lightest cars, which sank up to their axles. Admiral Troubridge and two French generals are co-operating with General Mishitch. When the weather c ed General Mishitch launched impetuous infantry attacks. The Serbians swarmed up the hill and gained eight hundred yards towards Novak Bridge, which is the side door to Monastir. The dogged Bulgar resistance was due to a stiffening of Germans, but the prisoners were delighted to exchange the firing line for the safer task of road-making. SERBIAN AND FRENCH DESPATCHES. Salonika, October 31. A Serbian communique states:—Violent combats continue on the whole front, especially on the left bank of the Cerna. [HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE.] (Received 1, 10.15 a.m.) London, October 31. A French official report states.-—At the Cerna salient the Serbs continue to progress westwards of Presba Lake. ‘ The Serbs have occupied Singieri Monastery. THE GERMAN CONCOCTION. (Received 1, 12.20 p.m.) London, October 31. A German communique says:—After preliminary success on the Cerna salient, the Serbians fell back before the Bulgarian counter-attack.

CREEK NATIONALS ATTACKED BY CONSTANTINE’S TROOPS. [UNITED SERVICE.] (Received I, 11.25 a.m.) Salonika, October 31. Greek troops attacked a battalion of Venezelist soldiers from Katerini, and many were wounded. The Venezelists cut their way through and reached Salonika.