SERBIAN SUCCESSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 25

SERBIAN SUCCESSES.

POSITIONS RETAKEN. PARIS, October 17. L’Echo de Paris states that the Serbians have retaken the positions at Rshana and Bonkva (between Sofia and Nish), which the Bulgarians captured on Tuesday. LONDON, October 17. Le Matin’s Athens correspondent states that the Serbians, with the assistance of French troops, obliged the Bulgarians tc retire. The Serbians further north advanced towards Strumnitza (75 miles north of Salonika). Moreover, the Serbians have assumed a counter-offensive on the Save River, and threw back enemy detachments towards the river, annihilating them. ROME, October 17. II Seccolo states that 50,000 Bulgarians attacked the Serbians on Wednesday in the region of Dpiran, and obstinate figating continues. ATHENS, October 17. The Austrian Prince Widischoraetz and his staff have arrived at Sofia. The Bulgarians have concentrated only feeble forces at Pirot, but are holding three complete divisions between Pirot and Sofia, with strong artillery at intervals along the railway. PARIS, October 17. The German attempt to surround the Serbian left wing near Semendria was repulsed with enormous losses. The Bulgarians are stubbornly attacking in the Timok region (east of Nish), hoping to join up with Mackensen. The Serbians have entrenched in the hills near Belgrade. They are strongly supported by artillery, and are repeatedly repelling assaults. Ls Matin’s Nish correspondent says that General von Mackensen is greatly depressed over Serbia’s unexpected resistance, which has upset his calculations and necessitated Bulgaria delivering her attack earlier than had been intended. An official communication referring to the Balkans emphasises the significance of the German attempt to secure Turkish soldiers to fill the places of Germans, indicating a shortness of men. SERBIAN CROW 7 N PRINCE’S BRAVERY. LONDON, O.tober 18. The German newspapers pay a tribute to the hero'c bravery of the Serbians. The Crown Prince directed the defences of Belgrade to the last, and did not think of fl'ght until the enemy were within the town, when he escaped with a captain of the general staff. The rest of the staff were either cr.ptured or killed in fighting. ANOTHER BULGARIAN ATTACK. LONDON, October 18, Athens messages state that 40,000 Bulgarians are attacking Valandovo and Houdovo bridge. Fighting continued till midday on Sunday, without the Bulgarians securing a decisive result. Reuter’s Athens correspondent states that it Is unofficially stated that the Ser= bians and Allies at Valandovo repulsed the Bulgarians, who are retreating upon Strumnitza. The Bulgarians are disappointed at the smallness of the German forces. Diplomatic circles state that General von Mackensen has demanded reinforcements to continue the offensive along the whole front. He admits that his advance is slow, and that it will cost a great effort. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, October 17. A German communique states; Von Mackensen is further advancing. We stormed, southward of Semendria, Varnovo Hill, eastward of Pojarevtz, also the village of Smajina. Bulgarian forces are crossing the frontier ridges between Negotin and Strumica. They captured the 'eastern forts of Se witch ar.