ALLIES STEADILY ADVANCING IN MACEDONIA

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 866, 18 November 1916, Page 9

ALLIES STEADILY ADVANCING IN MACEDONIA

ITALIANS FIERCELY ATTACKED

BRITISH GAINS ON THE ANCRE EXTENDED

SUBMARINE DEUTSCHLAND COLLIDES WITH TUG The Allied forces are advancing steadily in Macedonia, and are closing in on Monastir on two sides. The Serbians are advancing from the east, and the Allies are making a direct frontal attack from the south. In Eastern Macedonia, the British are making steadyprogress on the Struma, and have driven the Bulgarians from important villages on the Seres railway. The majority of the prisoners taken by the Allies are Germans, showing that strong reinforcements have been sent to Macedonia. The blockade-running submarine Deutschland, while leaving New York for Germany, rammed and sank an escorting tug, and had to return to New London for overhaul in dock. The Austrians have launched furious attacks against the Italians east of Gorizia. They were repulsed with heavy loss. North of the Ancre, the British have extended their gains in the region of Beaucourt and Beaumont-Hamel, and have maintained all the new ground.

SERBIAN ADVANCE IN MACEDONIA.

ALLIES ON PLAINS BEFORE MONASTIR. GERMANS FORM MAJORITY OF PRISONERS. By Cahle. — Press Association. — Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 16. The capture of Kenali and the flight of the Germans and Bulgarians indicate that there have been decisive happenings in Macedonia. The Allies have now readied the plain within three and three-quarter miles of Monastir. Hitherto'it has been only possible to advance across rugged mountains east and west of the gap, eight miles wide, through which runs the Monastir railway. The Serbians fought with magnificent valour, and though the Germans and Bulgarians defended their entrenched positions with desperation, so that they were repeatedly taken and retaken, all have now been definitely secured. The enemy's losses were very severe. The greater number of the prisoners taken are Germans, thus proving that they had sent heavy reinforcements lo Macedonia.

MONASTIR ATTACKED ON TWO SIDES.

SERBIANS AND ALLIES CLOSING IN. United Service. (Received November 18, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. The Serbian and Allied forces are closing in on Monastir on two sides. The Serbs are carrying out a flanking movement from the easterly, in the bend of the Cerna River, and the Allies' forces, frontally attacking from the south, have forced the enemy to the weak Bestridsa line. The Serbian and Allied attacks since November 10 have compelled the enemy to retire five miles on a front of 15 miles. They are gradually increasing the pressure on the whole front.

BRITISH SUCCESSFUL ON THE STRUMA.

BULGARIANS DRIVEN OUT OF VILLAGES. llitjli Commissioner's Cable. LONDON, November 17 (5.30 p.m.). A British official report from Salonica states:—After artillery preparation, the British attacked and captured BarakliDjuma, and again drove the enemy from Posenik and Kumli. Our new positions are now being consolidated. The newly-captured positions are all important points east of the Struma River, along the railway between Demirhissar and Seres.