IN MACEDONIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 25 September 1918, Page 5

IN MACEDONIA

VIGOROUS SERBIA,'i OPERATIONS TWO RAILWAY LINES CUT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighv , Aus. and K.Z. Cable Assn, and Eeuter. LONDON, September 23. A Serbian commumpue, dated September 22nd. states: We have liberated. fifteen villages, and are forcing the German and Bulgar reinforcements to retreat. We have crossed to the left hank of the Vardar. and cut tho main railway line between Uskuh and Salonika. We also crossed the Cerna, and cut the railway line between Gorgsko (? Gradsko) and Prilep, which is the German army's main line of communication. We have advanced thirty-four miles between September loth and 21st. Certain infantry units, which have reached the highest points in a very mountainous region, advanced twentyfive miles in one day. Tho booty and prisoners are constantly increasing. Australian and JS.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 24, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 23. The Serbian push was more rapid - than was expected. The enemy's only way of retreat is up the KostunuoStrumnitza road, which is being heavily bombed. We are gathering a lot of booty, but have not yet time to estimate it. Important developments are expected. ONE-THIRD OF SERBIAN TEiUUTORY LIBERATED. (Received September 24, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 23. Tho Serbians on Saturday and Sunday advanced nearly twenty, miles; their total advance since the offensive began has been nearly fifty miles. The number of prisoners is now between nine and ten thousand. Over 120 guns were captured. A division of cavalry reached the Vardar, between Krivolak and the Iron Gate. Infantry followed closely and crossed the river.- The cavalry captured Vozartsi and Kavadar, cutting the road communications between Philip and Krivolak. The Serbians during the week-end captured over twenty villages. The retreating Bulgars shamefully treated the Serbian population and transported the leading inhabitants to Asia Minor. As a direct consequence of the Serbian victory and Allies’ pressure elsewhere, one-third of the Serbian territory has been liberated, the whole of the Germau-Bulgar forces being compelled to retreat from Monastir to the Vardar. It is anticipated the enemy will take up the Babuna Vardar-Erivalakayista line. DOIRAN-VARDAR LINE ABANBONED. NEW YORK, September 23. The Bulgars have evacuated tin whole of the Doirau-Vardar line. MANY VILLAGES~CAPTURED. Aue. and N.'Z. Cable Assn, and Eeuter. LONDON. September 23. An Italian communique from Macedonia dated-Saturday night states: We ■continued to pursue the enemy after an advance of eight miles, and captured 'Sixteen villages. Our left owing and centre reached by dawn the lino of Cairli, Dobrusovo, Musa, and Oba. On our right we carried a strong positions on Mount Bohisti. Numerous prisoners were/ captured. SATISFACTORY RESULTS OF ALLIED PRESSURE. (Received September 24, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON. September 23. A British Salonika report states: As the result of Anglo-Greek attacks and continual heavy pressure in conjunction with the Franco-Serhian advance further west, tho ouemv has evacuated the whole line from Doiraa to westward of the Vardar. tie set on fire tho Cestovo-Hudova station and Tike and Tatarli dumps. Our airmen are heavily bombing and machine-gunning his troops and transport crowding along the road northwards. We are advancing_ and have reached the lineo Kara-Ogular-Hamzali, one kilometde to tho southward of Bogdance. Westward of the Vardar we are advancing on Orzenoi and are in touch with the Greeks at Gurincet. ENEMY FLEES IN INDESCRIBABLE DISORDER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 25, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 24. A French Eastern communique states.: The Allied successes in Macedonia are attaining the character of a great victory. The Franco-Serhian advance towards the Middle Vardar compelled the enemy along the whole front of 150 kilometres, between Monastir and Lake Doiran, to retreat precipitately. Tho Allies are closely pursuing them north-east of Monastir. We h a )’ G reached the line Mogili-Ivanatalartis-Kalyani, while the Serbians, marching on Prilep and the Babuna, Pass, have reached the Vardar from Demirkapu to Gradsko. Some detachments have already crossed the river. On the right bank of the river, ii the Vardar Valley, the Allies are beyond the lino Koynsket Burincet. On the left bank of the Vardar they carried Ghevgheli, and also the whole first enemy line as far as Lake Doiran. Rearguards are endeavouring to stem the pursuit. . 1 Enemy columns on the roads in the region of Monatir, Kruevo, and Prilep are fleeling in indescribable disorder, under incessant aircraft bombing and maphine-gu nnin g. Numerous villages and dumps are burning. Some prisoners, guns, and enormous booty have been captured, including two longrange guns. Some demoralised Bui-’ garian elements flung down their arms and fled. Our advance continues on the whole front of attack. FIRST BULGARIAN ARMY ISOLATED. (Received September 24, 11.50 p.m.) PARIS. September 23. “Le Petit Journal” states that th« First Bulgarian Army in Monastir is the Prilep region is isolated.