INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2816, 6 July 1916, Page 5

INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE WESTERN FRONT

.'V---- ..■ pAVY FIGHTING AT LA BOISELLE (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). ' ' Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. \ . '■ London, July 4. , Tho'success of Monday's operations oil the. French front was largely due to tie dash of the colonial and Moroccan troops, who in many places stormed the last of tho enemy's seoond-liae positions and reached the third line, capturing many prisoners. : . : ' The advance of the French centre was remarkably effective. Many important defences on tho right wing wero seized after a magnificent assault. A series. of hills was occupied dominating those between the new front and the Somme Valley., ; Seneral Foch is now hopeful.that he will soon engage the enemy in the open field. . ■ " 7 • The enemy has been- reinforced by many battalions drawn from other parts of the line, and continues to offer very stubborn resistance at all points. , There was heavy fighting last night "in tho vicinity of La Boisello. Our troops fought with great 'gallantry against the heavy attacks. Except for tho recapture by tho Germans'of a small portion of the defence line south of the village, the situation is unchanged. Pome progress was made during the night further south, our troops capturing a wood, and prisoners were taken. There has been continuous trench activity elsewhere; Baitta by'.the Rifle Brigade and the Sherwood Foresters were especially successful. After a heavy bombardment in the vicinity of. Armentieres, an attempted enemy raid was repulsed with losses to tthe : Germans. Some wounded and prisoners were left. ' . , - . 7 Lively artillery work on the Belgian front caused destructive fires in the German positions at Driegrachon and east, cf Steeustrae'te. - : HIGH COMMISSIONER'S. REPORT. The High Commissioner.reports:— ' V ~ London, July 4, 3.10 p.m. . 'Northwards and southwards of the Somme the night was calm. The enemy did not attempt to counter-attack, and the French troops "aro organising! the positions conquered yesterday.' ( It is confirmed that considerable material was captured, including three new tauteriei, two' of heavy calibre, proving more anu more the effects of our destructive lire. In u single dugout forty dead were found. .... < ' ' "In the ravine north of Assovillers and oil the slopes northwards of Herbecourt the Germans suffered enormous losses. ' ' ! "Between, the Avre and the Aisne, French reconnaissances are very active, penetrating the enemy's first trenches as far as the support trenches, north-east of Beuvraignes and fronting Vcngre, and taking some prisoners." „ London, July 4, 6.50 p.m. M)n the British front heavy thunderstorms with torrential rains have interfered somewhat with offensive* operations. Tho situation south of the Ancro remains generally unchanged. "Operations duringtthe day chiefly consisted of minor 'local enterprises with a view to retaining the ground gained. "The total number of. prisoners now exceeds 5000." London, July 4, 12.15 p.m. ' ■ "North of the Somme the day lias been calm on the whole of the sector now occupied by the French.. . "South of the Sominc, in/spite of the bad weather, we extended our positions. , "Towards the south and east wo captured the woods situated between Asserillers and Barleux, and also .entirely captured the village of Bclloy-en-San-terre. . 1 "Estrees was also captured, with 500 prisoners."' SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. July ft, 9.20 p.m.) London, July 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports:-"Fightin» continued all day on the southern sectors. Wo have made slight progress ac some points on tho remainder of our front. ' - *'A whole German battalion snrremJ creci in the. vicinity of Fricourt after a fighting and bombing oncounter. ; •'At La Boiselie our troops are in complete possession of the village, and wo easily repulsed, with loss, a bombing attack on the positions held by us south of Thiepvai. ."Between' Thie'pval and Ancre our newly-won trenches were heavily shelled. "There is considerable artillery activ lty at Loos and the Hohonzolleni Redoubt. "A German raid 6outh of Armentieres broke down under our rifle fire. "Our bombing aeroplanes .successfttll y attacked the railways at Coniines. Combles, and St. Quentin, while oftens't u, patrols worked far into the enemy's country, encountering hostile aeroplanes in great numliers. There was much fighting, and seren German planes were brought down." / FRENCH MOVING ON PERONNE Paris, July 1. Tho "Petit Parisien" says that-tho battle in Pieardy turns moro to tho advantage of the Allies. The French southward of the Somme are rapidly noaring Peronne. The Germans havo massed many divisions against the British. ("Tli« Times.") (Keo. July 5, C.5 p.m.) London, July 4. 'Mr. Adams, the "Times's"-Paris correspondent, states:—"lt is now possible to state, without exaggeration, the fact that tho Trench south of the Somme are well or the way to a striking success. A wedge has now been driven into the German third line at Flaucourt. The French are also masters of tho plateau of Peronne, within three miles of this township. The battlefield south of tho Somme consists of two zones: The northerly seotion is a valley in which the 6tream scatters its waters into largo ponds and marshes, dotted with clumps of trees, while the southerly section is a bare, well-knit plateau, with defensive positions. The capture of Feuilleres and the neighbouring hills enabled tho French artillery to assist in the sternor struggles nortli of the Somme. "After passing the German second lines, tho French on Monday found the way to Peronne barred by tho tremendously fortified little villago of Flaucourt, whioli they stormed with great dash. This loss is exceedingly embarrassing (o Ihe Germans, because it leaves them only three supply roads, which the French •'.•vminftte. Sometimes the roads are borne for a kilometre (3-5 of a mile) across marshes by slender bridges, which are easy marks for tho artillery. Tho f.;rtiiiej wlloffes of Belloy-En Santerre and Barleux bar tho way to Peronne, but the Fronch success on 'tho Assovillers front will onablo them to reach open country, thus compelling the Germans to evacuate Peronne."

SHELLING THE GERMANS OUT OF PERONNE. Australian-New Zealand Oable Association. (Rec. July 0, 0.J15 a.m.) Paris, .Tilly r>. Tho French are three miles from Pcronuo, and their jjuus completely dominato tho Peroime-Chanlnes railway from tho plateau of Flaucourt. Thny linvn shelled tho station, thus interrupting tho German communications, which will probably compel tho enemy to fall back beyond the Sommo. EXCITEMENT AT HIGH TENSION IN BRITAIN • * SYMPATHETIC WELCOME TO THE WOUNDED. London, July 4. The studied moderation of Sir Douglas Hfiig's reports is conspicuous. Thn nation is at high tension, but underlying all is a foeling of confidence that the obstacles will "bo surely, though slowly, overoomo. A sign ol' quickened interest is seen in the crowds round tho maps of tho front displayod in shop windows. The wounded continue to arrive. There are remarkably few shell and shot wounds, the injuries being mostly from the bayonet. Great sympathy is expressed for the sufferers. ("The Times.") London, July 4. The "Times" correspondent at Heada uavtors says that'a. gratifyingly largo proportion of tho wounds aro slight, being from shrapnel and maohino-gun fire, and that the smallest proportion will suffer poririnnont disablement, A SIGN OF THE ENEMY'S NEED OF MEN LARGE NUMBERS OF BOYS IN THE RANKS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, Paris, July 4. The disoovery that largo numbers of boys, who havo been opposing the eastern end of the I'Tonch front, have been taken prisoner as far westward as tho Somme, is interpreted as a sign of Germany's desperate need of men. Only the direst strain' would justify the sacrifice 1 of boys who will bo urgently needed after the war to upbuild trade and repair tho losses of tho population. GERMAN PRISONERS AT SOUTHAMPTON. London, July 4. One thousand five hundred Gorman prisoners havo arrived at Southampton. THE FRENCH COMMANDER ON THE SOMME (Renter's Telegram.) London, July 4. General Fooh commands the French offensive at tlio Somme. 1 ■ ■ ■ ( I : "WE HAVE BLINDED THE ENEMY."' • (Hcuter's Telegram.) , (Roc. July 5, 10.15 p.m.) ' .Paris, July 5. A semi-official message records tho remarkable fact that since Juljr 1 none of the enemy's airmen have been able to cross 'the French linos. "As aircraft aro >thp eyes of the artillery, we havo blinded tho enemy." RUMANIA DEEPLY IMPRESSED. Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. (Rec, July !>, G. 5 p.m.) Bucharest, July t. The Allies' offensive has deeply impressed Rumania. M. Filipesou has.telegraphed to the "Petit Parisien" a statement that he is confident that Rumania will shortly intervene. Rumania has prohibited exports to Bulgaria, and hasseized Hungarian rolling-stock which was sent to Rumania to evade capture by the Russians. . ' THE SITUATION ACCORDING TO GERMANY VARIOUS SUCCESSES CLAIMED. \ ' London, July i. A German official communique states:—"Tho enemy did not renew his attacks north.of the Ancre; instead,ho brought a strong forco between the Anore 1 and the Somme against Thiopval and La Boipello, awl against the lino from Barloux to Belloy; south cf tho Sommo. The attacks were ropulsed everywhere. The losses under our artillery aml infantry firo correspond with the great number employed. "We ejected the French from Hardecourt after bitter fighting. "The enemy's advances north-west of Yprefc, west of La' Bassue, and southwest of Lens were repulsed." "German patrols east and south-east of Armenticres attacked an English reconnoitring position. "We brought down nine aeroplanes." PRESS EXPLANATIONS FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION. > (Beuter's Telegram.) (Rec. July !>, 10.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 5. The German newspapers abound with explanations of the events in tho Westorn front.' They assert that fore-!7now!etTge of the offensive justified evacuation at various points, and stress as re asons our terrifio bombardment, which was acconyianied by "poisonous gases." Tho "Lokal Anzeiger" boasts that the Germans havo seven lines of defence works. NO BUSINESS ON THE BERLIN BOURSE: Australian-New Zealand Oable Association. . New York, July 4. A message from Berlin states that, owing to the British offensive, business in the principal,speculative stocks on the B ourso is at a complete standstill. DISMAY IN THE BERLIN PRESS. Copenhagen, July 1. The dismay manifested, in Germany at tho events on tho Western front ia reflected in the Berlin newspapers. Tho Danish newspaper "Politikin" quotes the German Press correspondent at the front as saying that never in history have such colossal quantities of ammunition been collected as are now in the possession of tho British, French, and Belgians. . The newspapers in Berlin hint that Germany is prepared to evacuate moro ground, although the situation is not con sidered desperate. ("The Times.") London, July 4. The Cologne "Yolks Zeitung" says the position is fraught with significance. It is possible the battle will be a decisive one. Sir Douglas Haig's army is strong and well-equipped, and now has its chance of showing its fighting quality.". The "Cologne Gazette" says the Germans welcomed the infantry attacks as a deliverance from the awful outpouring of shells. GERMAN GARRISONS IN BELGIUM DEPLETED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. July ft, 6.5 p.m.) 1 ' ' , Amsterdam, July 4. AH tho German garrisons in Belgiu m havo beou partly depleted for reinforcements hastily summoned to the Flemish front.' The remaining troops are ready to leave at a moment's notice.

' HOW FRISE WAS TAKEN I SUBURBS CARPETED WITH DEAD London, July 4. Tho capture of Frise was due to the unflinching heroism of tho French. It was a two-hours' operation, and involved fierce bayonet-fighting, and a fearful massaore of Germans. A German column _ attempted a flank movement, but, was intorcopted and captured. According to prisoners, many units wero wiped out. The carnage has greatly shaken tho enemy. The suburbs of Fricourt are carpeted with dead, while the roads beyond, where the fleeing Germans maintained a running fight, were strewn with prisoners. SOME PEN PICTURES (Roc. July 5, 9.35 p.m.) London, July 5. Tho "Morning Post's" correspondent ■writes-.—"The fighting on the Western front has failed to reveal the fact that tho Gormans are the possessors of any Biirpriscs. Their much-heralded terriblo weapons Lave not materialised, but, patienco will bo necessary to overcome thoir unscrupulous tactics and tricks. Tho British plans are making normal progress. Officers and men are performing prodigies of valour, and tho people at Homo must patiently trust them, and not expect rapid development. Our re. serves are busy at Ifametz burying our dead. Tho doctors worked like heroes, separating tho living from the dead, and attending to tho wounded, who ha<l lain in the open, for hours." The "Post's" correspondent was disappointed over an inoidont botweon Mamota and Fricourt. "I was posted where I was told I would sco a fino sorap. A few hundred Germans bad tenaciously clung to tho trenches, so our infantry, supported by tho bombers. dashed to tho end of the trench. Tho Germans threesome grenades, fired a few tiflo shots, and then ran for thoir lives, with up lifted hands and handkerchiefs, veiling 'Kamnrad!' "Some of their dug-outs woto palatial, and contained prodigious quantities of sausages, potted-meats, preserved vegetable, chooses, casks of beer, whisky, and gin. _ One officer's suite was fitted with olectric bolls, to summon the servants from tho adjoining kitchen." Tho correspondent adds"Prisoners stato that such was tlio devastation caused by tho artillery on the French front that thirty-ono German battalions wore completely disorganised. Their trenches wero wrecked, preventing control or tho situation by tho Geririan high command." NEW ZEALANDER'S IMPRESSION OF THE BATTLE DISrATCir. FHOM MR. MALCOLM BOSS. Tho following special message lias been received from tho Now Zealand official war correspondent (Mr. Malcolm Boss):— "The battle of the Sommo is continuing successfully for tho Allies. Our artillery is doing magnificent work, while the steadiness and heroism of the New Army is beyond praise. Tho- roll of prisoners, which includes many officers, is doily increasing. "The battle of La Boisolle, , which I watched yesterday, ended in our favour. The Gormans had been told to hold tho position at all costs. It fell, after a dosperate resistance. The Manchester; 'gained ground by a splendid charge. In one placo fivo men and a little dog, (the

mascotteof the regiment) lay dead in a line in No Man's Land. "Tho local French peoplo are displaying intenso interest, and are dolighted at tho splendid work our armies are accomplishing." INTO ACTION—AND OUT OF THE WAR Paris, July 4. An entire battalion of the 16th Prussian Infantry, from tho Upper Khine, surrendered to the British at Fricourt. Tho battalion was rushed np to replace tho heaviest casualties. Tho nien detrained immediately and occupied the trenches, which proved to be shallow, al fording indifferent protection from the devastating British artillery. After a short show nt resistance, the survivors —20 officers and 600 men —left the trenches and made signs of surrender. WHEN THE GORDONS CHARGED London, July 4. A man who participated in a charge by the Gordon. Highlanders sEale "The dead were an unforgettable sight. Wo encountered about "*OOO corpses. Human limbs were scattered over tho battered defences. There wero some plucky ones among the enemy. The Bavarians know how to use the steel. Tho new big French guns eclipse the Gorman 18incher. Tlioy wiped out a village on tho Soinmo front on Friday. Each shot swept away a.do*en houses." LADS OF FIFTEEN TAKEN PRISONER London, July 4. The "Morning Post" publishes an interview with a sergeant of a Manchester regiment, who said: —"T was ashamed to bring in lads of fifteen, but they were liioe lads, and rut off their buttons and offered them to us as keepsakes. There wore also a fair number of middle-aged prisoners. Our men harbour no deeprooted animosity against individual Germans. They say they are clever people, but they are compelled to obey their superiors implicitly. The war will tench them the lesson that they can never b otho top-dogs while Englishmen aro alive." THROWING UP THE SPONGE London, July 4. . Mr. W. Beach Thomas, writing in the "Daily Mail," says that one group which' surrendered put their hands up and waited patiently for the British troops to arrive. The British were unable to opproach, owing to machine-gun liiro, and finally the Germans scuttled back to their trenches. The British constantly bring back prisoners, singly and in parties, who give messages such as "Don't lire. The Germans are trying to surrender. Knock out that machinegun over there." Tho whole front is stiff with our guns. The cm rase of the German mnolnne-gun-ue'-s is greatly in excess of that shown l>r Ilm i'lfantry, but they savagely attacked Hie British wounded; turning ""on I V'ii th"ir devilish weajlons like a hose "l (, i" wounded lay in tho open. The British mostly charged at a walk. The infantry are splendid. One of the liest advances and finest fighting was done by clerks recruited from Lancashire TRENCH RAIDERS STILL BUSY / Paris, July 4. Apart from the main British activity, isolated attacks continue, the Worcesters, New Zealanders, and Australians repeating their gallant feats. 1