WISH THREATENED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16537, 10 November 1915, Page 5

WISH THREATENED.

DIRECT RAILWAY TO CONSTANTINOPLE. BUCHAREST, November 9. (Received Nov. 9, at 10.50 p.m.) The Germans are within 30 miles of Nish, and when this section is capturcd the direct railway to Constan* tinople will be cleared. BULGARS MEET FRENCH. A SURPRISE AND A DEFEAT. FRENCH LEFT WING MOVES FORWARD. ROME, November 9. (Received Nov. 9, at 10.50 p.m.) Following are the details of the opening fight between the French and the Bulgars on the east bank of the Vartlar and the terrain adjoining the Strumnitza railway station :— The stony hillside is divided by ravines, and the rain rendered it more difficult.

Four Bulgarian regiments, preceded by bomb-throwers and Macedonian irregulars, advanced to the attack in dense formation. The French reserved their fire until the enemy were a few hundred yards away, and then the entire front burst into a devastating hurricane of fire. The attackers wavered, and the French " seventyfives'' opened with shrapnel, while the machine guns completely surprised the Bulgarians.

.. Suddenly a forlorn hope of SOO Bulgars, supported by Krupp " seventy-fives," dashed forward , with the bayonet, and in a hand-to-hand struggle broke the French centre. Colonel Bailloud signalled to the Chasseurs to advance, and the. struggle was renewed in the middle of the battlefield, the artillery firing over the heads of the combatants. The forlorn hope was wiped out, and of 30 prisoners 18 were wounded. The whole French line advanced, forcing the Bulgarians to abandon their wounded and a quantity of munitions. The victory enabled the French' left wing to be extended to Negotin and Krivolak.