TO-DAY'S NEWS. THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3557, 18 September 1916, Page 5

TO-DAY'S NEWS.

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

THE BRITISH VICTORIES.

GERMANS OVERWHELMED

SANGUINARY STREET FIGHTING

(Received September 18, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, September The ''Daily Chronicle's" Paris'correspondent states that the British advance was most rapid in the direction of Flers. The netr armoured cars, starting from Delrille Wood, rained iron on the defenders, and new units were ceaselesßly thrown into the fight along the whole front. After taking the first lines, the British found themselves in front of new defences, well araoured and strongly manned, but the enemy, disheartened by their terrible losses and the. arrival of fresh British troops, abandoned the ground in a state of panic. The capture of Courcellette was one of the most brilliant feats of the contest. It had been proceeding since the morning, and the result was still xincertain, as the' enemy were receiving Strong reinforcements by the AlbertBapaume Road. British columns attacked the village early in the afternoon, and British and Bavarians fought in the streets with revolvers., knives, and fists. The garrison, unable to further resist the assailants' fury, surrendered in despair. The fighting at Martinpuich was very hard. The commander, in surrendering his battalion, confessed that it was impossible to withstand the irresistible British push.