SERBIANS' GREAT FIGHT FOR MONASTIR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 869, 22 November 1916, Page 7

SERBIANS' GREAT FIGHT FOR MONASTIR.

ENEMY ROUTED IN THE MOUNTAINS. PRILEP WITHIN A FEW HOURS' MARCH. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 22, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 21. The "Daily Chronicle's - ' Athens correspondent, referring to the far-reaching effects of the fall of Monastir, states that already more than a third of New Serbia has been freed of the Germans ami Bulgars. Seven thousand of the enemy were taken prisoner iii eight days, 1500 of whom were Germans. Nearly 100 cannons have been taken since the beginning of the attack on Kajmackalan. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy, with comparatively Allied losses. The Serbians fired 1.000,000 shells in 10 days. The Kenali lines, guarding the railway line from the south at the C'erna Bend, were frontally impregnable, and Monastir was won up in the bleak mountains by the splendid Serbian artillery and infantry. When Hill 1212 fell, the enemy was compelled to abandon Monastir, retreating in disorder on the whole left front and abandoning (lead, wounded, and booty. On the right bank of the Cerna the veteran General Stephanovich captured several heights, and is now driving the demoralised enemy without halt towards the. river. He ought, in a few hours, to threaten the exits of the Babuna Pass. His left wing has carried Grondista, and is advancing along the hills on the right bank of the Cerna. Statarovina has also fallen, while his centre is advancing along the road from Veterinik, and should now be before Yerbsko, near the Cerna. Inside the Cerna Loop, General Mashiteh's Ist Army is sweeping on, and has taken i'ernik, north of Iven, and Jarotak. The finest triumph of this army was the capture of Hill 1378, in the Upper Murichovo Mountains, giving command of the route towards Prilep. On the left, Genera] Vassitch's 3rd Serbian Army is clearing out the foe from the mountains east of Monastir, with the aid of French and Russian forces. The advanced detachments of the Serbians are now within a few hours' march of Prilep.