On the preceding Wednesday General Franchet d'Esperey had ordered General
Milne's divisions and the Greeks to deliver a holding attack on the Bulgarian left in the seemingly inaccessible hills east and west of Lake Doiran. A hard day's fighting gave us the enemy's outer line. Last Saturday the Italian divisions outside Monastir delivered an equally vigorous blow at the Bulgarian right, and by Sunday had taken the key position of Bobiste, west of the Cerna. The pressure had now become irresistible. On Sunday the Bulgarians and Germans were in full retreat on their whole ninety- five-mile front from Monastir to Doiran, and the Allies took up the pursuit. The Serbians and French in the centre had now thrust a great wedge into the enemy forces and strove to drive it home. They crossed the Vardar to the right, thus compelling the Bulgarians from Doiran to retire north-eastward through Strumnitza. On their left they made for the Prilep-Vales road through the Babuna Pass. Prilep was occupied on Tuesday. If Vales and Ishtip are taken quickly, the Bulgarian right wing will have a weary and circuitous march before it can rejoin the rest of the army. All the Allied contingents seem to have fought superbly, but the Serbians, nerved by patriotism and righteous anger at their oppressors, have shown a superhuman oourage in the battle of the hills. We need not fear for the future of such a gallant people.
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