THE NEAR EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17427, 23 September 1918, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST

ALLIED GAINS EXTENDED. BULGARIANS IN RETREAT. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Router. LONDON, September 20. French eastern communique: Thji Allies on Tuesday and Wednesday greatly extended the two previous days' successes. , The Bulgarians are retreating in disorder on the Ccrua. Our troops, pursuing them, have reached the Ccrna at one part, and have captured the mountainous zone between Djurevkamen and Cha/.ema, crossed the river Delachichtza, and passed tho Rozden region. The enemy in his retreat abandoned many prisoners and much material. i British and Greek troops .attacked in the region of Lake Doiran, and gained a footing in the first enemy positions, despite the enemy's resistance, and have already captured numerous prisoners. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. NEW YORK, September 20. ' French and Serbian forces have advanced 17 miles, and up to the present have captured 5000 prisoners. A RAPID ADVANCE. DIFFICULT COUNTRY SECURED. ENEMY IN DISORDER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . PARIS, September 20. The Allies on the Macedonian front have retaken 375 square miles of territory in four days, despite the fact that the country is mountainous and roadless. It will be difficult for the enemy forces to regain cohesian during the retreat. ATTACK BY BRITISH AND GREEKS. SOME HEADWAY MADE.' SPLENDID FIGHTING BY GREEKS. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter. LONDON, September 20. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) A British Salonika official message states that British and Greek troops at 5 o'clock in the morning of the 18th attacked westward and eastward of Lake Doiran. Thev captured ground westward of Lake Trenchauattem and southward of Dorian town, advancing our line about 2000 yards. Heavy Bulgarian counter-attacks regained part of the ground captured on the left, but the positions in the centre and on the right were maintained. Eastward of Lake Doiran, after a night advance, we carried an enemy outpost line. Upwards of r 700 prisoners have been counted. , Tho Greeks fought with great gallantry. ALLIES ADVANCING STEADILY. STUBBORN RESISTANCE. NINETY GUNS CAPTURED. LONDON, September 20. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) A French eastern communique states: Despite lively resistance, our offensive between the Cerna and the Vardar progressed on the 19th. The Allied cavalry reached the region of Polosko. The Serbians reached the left bank of the Cerna in the region of Dumye, and progressed towards Konopiste across most difficult ground, separating Belashnitza from Besliava. The Franco-Greeks carried the villages of Tussire and Monte, at the foot of Dzema, and captured a total of 90 guns. The Anglo-Greek offensive in the region of Doiran is progressing, despite violent counter-attacks. ADVANCE BY SERBIANS. OVER 5000 PRISONERS. •VILLAGES AND MATERIAL C4P TUB-ED. LONDON, September 20. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) A Serbian communique states: Our advance continues, and we have passed the line Blatet-Tchemeske-Belashnitza. The enemy has evacuated the Cerna River, and we are crossing to the left bank. The Bulgarians are burning the stores in the camps. _ The prisoners exceed 5000, and 10 additional guns have been captured, mostly heavies. Quantities of material and several villages have been captured. BULGARS IN RETREAT. RAILWAY COMMUNICATIONS THREATENED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ■ LONDON, September 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) The Serbian advance gathers momentum. The Bulgars are retreating to the Vardar, _ which is 25 miles distant. . The Serbian advance threatens the enemy main railway communications along the Vardar. The Crown Prince Alexander commands the Serbians, with Marshal Michitch as Chief of Staff. Marshal Michitcli commanded the Serbians in the great victory over the Austrians at Radnev in 1914. J GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED. SEVERAL VILLAGES LIBERATED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, September 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 5.5 p.m.) A Serbian official message states: Our advance to the north on one day was more than 15 kilometres. The infantry passed the line Krievo-Fratogve-Dragoje-Polochko. The cavalry is north of this line, and more than 10 villages were liberated in one day at a bend in the Cerna. We have taken the village of Godeyak. Our aviators never cease bombing the retreating enemy. Great numbers of prisoners have been taken. Soldiers of New_ Serbia who have been forced to enlist in the Bulgarian army are discarding their arms and "transferring to our side. °