The New York Times/1916/11/22/Serbians Capture 8 More Villages
SERBIANS CAPTURE 8 MORE VILLAGES
Follow Up Retreating Germans and Bulgars in Mountains Northeast of Monastir.
ALLIES ADVANCE ON WEST
Krani, on Lake Presba, Occupied by the French, While Italians Engage Foe in Muzn Region.
LONDON, Nov. 21.—Serbian troops, pressing to the utmost their advance which caused the hurried evacuation of Monastir by the Germans and Bulgarians, have captured the villages of Makovo, Crahovo, Vranovtsi, Ribartsi, Bilyanik, Novak, Suhodol, and Rapesh, all in the sector east and northeast of Monsastir.
In addition to many prisoners, the Serbians are said to have taken three field guns, a considerable number of machine guns, and a great quantity of other war materials. To the west of Monastir Italian forces have repulsed a counterattack, while French troops have occupied the villages of Krani, on Lake Presba.
The Paris War Office today issued the following report of the operations:
Army of the Orient, Nov. 20.—To the north of Monastir rearguards of the enemy, supported by strong detachments of artillery, are being strongly pressed by the allied troops.
To the west of Monastir Italian forces have repulsed a violent counterattack delivered by detachments of the enemy from the mountainous region of Muzn, seven miles southwest of Monastir.
We have occupied the village of Krani, on the eastern bank of Lake Presba.
The official communication from Serbian Headquarters, as received here from Saloniki, reads:
Despite the stubborn resistance of the enemy, the Serbians advanced northward and occupied the village of Rapesh. North of Suhodol the Serbians defeated the Germans, forcing them to beat a hasty retreat. A great number of prisoners, Germans and Bulgarians, and considerable booty were captured. In this retreat the enemy abandoned a quantity of stores, engineering materials, and other material.
The Paris Petit Journal’s correspondent on the Serbian front, telegraphing Sunday, says the Bulgars and Germans will attempt to form upon a line, seventeen miles to the north, which was prepared two months ago and which passes approximately along the Topolchani heights by the villages of Klepat, Kahartlachi, and Hill 1,506 of the Vlocho range. He adds:
“During the last two days the enemy has been obliged to abandon an enormous quantity of material. We found, among other things at Monastir, a number of locomotives, which will be precious to us.”
PARIS, Nov. 21.—General Joffre has sent a telegram to General Sarrail, commanding in Macedonia, cordially congratulating him and his men for having taken Monastir. The message includes a special general army order addressed to the officers and men of the Army of the East, praising them for having driven the Germans and Bulgars from Western Macedonia. In conclusion the message says:
“You have deprived the enemy of Monastir. Tomorrow you will end it by beating him.”
BERLIN, Nov. 21, (by Wireless to Sayville.)—Attempts of Serbian troops to advance in the Moglenica region of the Macedonian front yesterday were defeated, it is announced officially. In the Monastir district the Entente troops are still advancing. The official statement reads:
Between Presba Lake and the Cerna the enemy is feeling his way with his advance guard toward the German and Bulgarian positions.
Serbian advances at some points along the Moglenica front, prepared for by heavy fire, failed.
On the inundated Struma plain there have been engagements between reconnoitring detachments.