THE CAPTURE OF KIRK KILISSE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 30 October 1912, Page 5

THE CAPTURE OF KIRK KILISSE.

DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING

A DESPERATE ENCOUNTER

GREAT BRAVERY DISPLAYED

CONSTANTINOPLE. October 28

Owing to the Turkish commander's impatienco to take the offensive, an advance was authorised for the night or tho 21st. A column of infantry, cavalry, and volunteers, under Mukhtar and Prince Aziz, moved northwards of Kirk Kilie.co with the intention of surprising the Bulgarians. The night was extremeIv stormy and wet. The column was divided into two sections, following different paths. Tho vanguard came into contact with the Bulgarians at dawn, tho Bulgarians 'being in overwhelming strength. Then a mistake arose, both Turkish sections firing at one another, and heavy loss was inflicted before the error wag discovered. The Turkish cavalry attempted to charge, but were severely punished. Thpv fled, and created n pan in nmon^st the retiring infantry, esnecinllv tho volunteers, who precinitatelv bolted, throuino; tho reserves into confusion. Ultimately the second fliv'sion -of tho Con^t-nntinonlo Army Coi'nn ictomme-rl tho rout.

Dptni^ of tho losses p^p unknown, but it i«! believed that ono division was decimated.

SOFT A, Ortober 28

General T>'mitvir>ff rooovting r>n tfcov f-nrv+iiv-, of T^'rk T^il;=(=o. says that a division sTfWI nt'ii'^hf-time. The Bulgarian stnrTiprs fp^nod v. reti-p.ot. nn.'i flrsw the. T,,rVc. T-ttn'r, rn "<™ of tho B"l----sfai'i^n Tv.!?f»Ti.'no cnin^ whi^h nrn^tipnllv anrnViiint^d tlipm. T^er^^fter ]Wukhtar quitted the town. MuVhtar's baggage wag enptured. containing tho whole plan of campaign.

A. wvjir^nr? "P'linrjirioTi O^CPr reports a. four hours' series of bayonet assaults, dur-np; which all tho more important positions were taken. One. storming party, under> a. cross-fire, suffered sovereIv. but nevertheless no^i^t-xl. and eventual )v captured two Kirk Kilisso redoubts.

Tho bayonet chnrcres were so rapid that tho defenders bnd ro timo to "fix bayonets before meeting tli9 attack.