RUMANIA AND BALKANS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 November 1916, Page 5

RUMANIA AND BALKANS

Serbian Successes in Macedonia

Two Villages Stormed and Captured. British Offensive Resumed. [PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.} [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] London, November 16. A French official message states:—After a brief lull, fierce fighting was resumed in the Cerna region. The Serbian offensive developed on the 13th and 14th, resulting in fresh successes. The Germans and Bulgarians retired in the vicinity of Hill 1212 and to the north-east, and were closely pressed by the Serbians, who captured the village of Cincel. The victorious march of the Franco-Serbians continues in the direction of Tepavoi. The fighting west of the Cerna has spread to the Kehali region. Over 3200 prisoners were taken in the Cerna loop from November 10th to 14th, including 600 Germans. (Received 17, 11.50 a.m.) London, November 16. A Serbian communique says:—With the co-operation of the French, our troops on the 14th inst. captured all positions southward of Tepavoi. The German defenders who escaped annihilation or capture fled. The villages of Tepavoi and Genels were stormed. Bucharest, November 16. Two companies of Serbian volunteers swam the Danube and enlisted in the army of liberation.

BRITISH ON THE STRUMA. IMPORTANT POSITION CAPTURED. [high commissioner*b message.] (Received 17, 10.20 a.m.) London, November 16. A French official report says =—On the Struma front, the British, after brilliant fighting, took Kakaraska, the Bulgars falling back to the right of the Nihor stream. Violent German-Bulgar counter-attacks were unsuccessful everywhere. THE TRANSYLVANIAN FRONT. PRUSSIANS ON THE JIUL RIVER. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Bucharest, November 16. The 109th Prussian division from Dvinsk has been identified on the Jiul front. RUMANIAN VICTORY NEAR KIMPOLUNC. (Received 17, 12.i0 p.m.) London, November 16. A Russian communique says: —The Rumanians repulsed with enormous loss the attacks on Kimpolung, where the enemy was employing many heavy guns. (Received 17, 12.10 p.m.) London, November 16. A Rumanian communique says:—Enemy attacks in western Moldavia and Dragoslavele were repulsed. We retired on the left bank of the Alt and in the Jiul Valley. PROGRESS SOUTHWARD IN DOBRUDJA. (Received 17, 12.10 p.m.) London, November 16. A Rumanian communique says:—-We have reprogressed southward in Dobru’dja. EPIC OF THE PASSES. HEROISM OF RUMANIANS. ENEMY’S FRIGHTFUL LOSSES. f

London, November 6. Mr. Stanley Washburn, the correspondent of “ The Times ” at Bucharest, says:— “ Historians will 'point to the defences of the Rumanian passes as an epic uneXceeded in peasant soldier heroism. The Rumanians were assaulted on all fronts. Their batteries were unable to reach the enemy’s heavy guns, and the advance lines were taken from various angles. Their artillery was frequently destroyed, yet during the retreat the troops turned doggedly 7 and attacked the enemy with the bayonet until they reached the mountain wall, the King, the Ministers and the generals displaying a stubborn determination to see the issue through regardless of the dangers of the situation. Providential rains retard the enemy’s transport of heavy artillery. The rivers are raging torrents, and mists densely clothe the Carpathians.” Mr. Washburn motored to the rear of the passes. He regards the northern situation especially 7 as satisfactory 7. He states that fighting raged m Gvmes Pass and Trotus Valley for two weeks. The Germans vainly endeavoured to capture Comanesti, and threatened the north-to-south railway. They outnumbered the Rumanians by two to one. After many critical days the Rumanians counter-attacked, taking the enemy 7 on the flanks and inflicting dreadful losses in the defiles, wlrere the dead were piled eight deep. The situation on the western Rumanian front was in the most acute stage at the beginning of November, while supports were being distributed at certain danger points. The heavy rains began during the most serious day's, and continued steadily for four days, costing the enemy 7 invaluable time. The last fortnight taken from his already narrow margin of campaigning wehther threatens to make the German gains a wasted effort, for what cannot be accomplished against Rumania this vear will probably be unaccomplished next year, when the front has been distributed and the army re-organised. The fighting' in the passes shows the Rumanian as hard, earnest and tenacious a bayonet fighter as any the war has produced.

OTHER WAR CORRESPONDENTS’ REPORTS. In a message from Bucharest, Mr. Bourchier, correspondent of “The Times,” states that the announcement that the French Ministry is sending great quantities of munitions has caused satisfaction. France has informed Rumania that the Allies will facilitate Rumania’s resistance by pressure at the right time and place. M. Braun, correspondent of “ The Times ” at Rumanian headquarters, telegraphs an interesting story concerning Brigadier-General Dragalina, commander of the offensive in Jiul Valley. Dragalina’s bravery and bold leadership inspired the troops. He went out to a dangerous hill post, saw the strength of the German forces, and rushed back to his front battalion instructing them to hold on at any cost. Ihen he chose a short, dangerous route to the rear, desiring to warn his reserve battalions. He was twice hit on the arm, which had to be amputated. Reuter’s correspondent at Bucharest states that the French military mission arrived at the critical moment, and collaborated most effectively with the Rumanian high command, reestablishing a satisfactory situation. BRITISH LOAN TO VENEZELOS. [REUTER’S TELEGRAM.] (Received 17, 9.35 a.m.) London, November 16. Lord Robert Cecil announced that the Allies had provisionally advanced the Venezelist Government .£400,000.