THE SALONIKA FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 21

THE SALONIKA FRONT.

Serbian reports state! Violent local infantry actions, in which a fairly large number of prisoners was taken, continue. The Bulgarians, without military _ necessity, are bombarding; Monastir and killing civilians. There is fircc fighting north of Budimerci. French official reports from Salonika

state: Germans and Bulgars desperately resisted Allied attacks north ot Monastic. Tho fighting was heaviest north of Hill 1050, where a height attacked by Russians .changed hands frequently. The French progressed 8W) yards near tne village oi Vlakelar. We carried five small Bulgarian outposts south of tho River Hojumtiy-cu, on tiie right bank of the Vardar. Snow checked operations. The Italians repulsed a Bulgarian counter-attack. The enemy bombarded the whole Monastir front, also the town itself, causing some civilian casualties. Wo effectively replied to the fire. There is intermittent artillery lire along the whole front in Macedonia, especially in the Doiran region. Our fire dispersed an enemy column north of Monastir. The Allied airmen are active. An isolated Bulgarian attack on our new positions on the Struma was repulsed. Official: His Majesty the King, on the occasion of the capture of Monastir, cordially congratulated the Serbian commander and his valiant army, who are struggling shoulder to shoulder with their Allies.

The Czar sent a similar message, saying that ho was persuaded that the common efforts would be crowned with complete victory, assuring Serbia of tho free development of her political life and the realisation of her national aspirations. Mr Lloyd George and M. Basitch (Serbian Premier) have exchanged messages on the Allies' determination to prosecute the war until Serbia's independence has been restored.

Admiralty seaplanes on the 14th heavily bombed the Kuleliburga bridge, southward of Adrianoplc. The damage was extensive. The Admiralty reports that naval aeroplanes on Friday effectively dropped bombs on Razlovic, eastward of Istib.