THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 586, 27 December 1915, Page 10

THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN.

A VIVID PICTURE.

lAWFTJLNESS OF THE GERMAN ARTILLERY.

\ IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS IN MACEDONIA.

"Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. (Received December 27, 10.40 a.m.) | : LONDON, December 26. | Browne, the "Daily Mail's'' Chicago correspondent sends a ' vivid dispatch of the Serbian campaign. j The Germans nsed a wonderful new type of mountain mortar j ;■which, though light, threw immensely heavy shells effectively and ! accurately at a range of five miles. The Serb artillery was pitij fully insufficient to cope with the enemy, and the rifling of the | cannon was worn out. The Austro-Germans fired an unbelievable I number of shrapnel and high explosive shells, and apparently i they had an inexhaustible supply of ammunition. . The German engineers show amazing skill and judgment in selecting a position for their batteries in natural shelters. The torrent of shells began at daylight, and they fell with

deadly accuracy on the Serbs, who were utterly unable to escape. Wherever they moved the shells drove them out. The Germans

took artillery up the high mountains, scaling precipices and accomplishing unheard-of feats, always outflanking the Serbs and ,forcing them to retreat.

Mr Calvert, writing from Salonica, says there is great activity,,and important movements of troops are observable in the Bulgarian lines at Doiran and Ghevgheli. The enemy is fortifying strong positions. In view of the great Austro-German losses

in the Serbian and Montenegrin campaign, and the diminution of strength entailed in garrisoning the Balkans, it is believed that the army being launched against Salonica is almost entirely Bulgarian, with perhaps some Turkish auxiliaries. Bulgarian's are so elated _ by their triumphs against Serbia

and the seeming victories against the Allies, which have been magnified into a rout, that even Germany may be unable to " restrain their martial ardour. The Bulgarian programme includes the annexation of the whole of Southern Macedonia. The Sofia Press is truculently stating that other nations may pause half-way, but not so Bulgaria.