THE BATTLE REVIEWED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3569, 2 October 1916, Page 5

THE BATTLE REVIEWED.

September 30

The lull 'on the Anglo-French'fronts has afforded an opportunity to the cor"respondents lor undertaking a general survey of the battlo. Mr K. Abhrmvid Bartlett, writing in the t: Daily Telegraph,", after visiting the French front, says: "The guns mly cease to *fire when they are seeking a I'ro.sh objective. Their piles of ihells never scorn to diminish, whereas the Germans' have to savo their ammunition. Tho French command of

tne air is so complete Ilwt' it is no longer necessary to ronreai t:icir'''guns. ' The (Jerraan artiilory is lighbi-ng in almost total blindn<-.>s' siiu-e they lost ■ the high ground near-Pennine. Many of their high, explosive shells tall in thoSommo -lUvor, tJirowing uj) rnountaiay of mud."

Mr Phillip 1 Gibbs, writing in tho "Daily Chrouiclo." upon the British front, insists upon the importance oi; tho continuance of fine weather. Tho" mist;' lie says, prevents the aviators • „ from supplying reports, so 'that tho " enemy is able to mass troops for 'Counter-attacks. Since our capture of the ridge, however, thi> Germans hayo , been unable to move their infantry, Rims, or transport by daylight. The ■ Germans on Ihe Ancre and Sorame now ' know . tho torture- of living always undoi- the iire of groat guns. - Other corre«fpoiidents stat* tlTat t'ho prisoners taken/on tho British front on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday totalled •' 6000, and that the tally *is sfciil inconi« pleto. We are pushing north of Flers,. ■ they say, clearing the enemy out ol! most iormidablQ positions, including siinkon roads and trenches • which at an o-a-lier^stage in t.he 1 battle would have cost long delay and many "livesj ' bub, t.he .enemy's resistance flooms.-to!.-have lost its .strength. We have taken' ' miles of trenches at incomprehensibiy' ' Kttlu cost." "• J