BRITISH ADVANCE BEYOND OVILLERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2828, 20 July 1916, Page 5

BRITISH ADVANCE BEYOND OVILLERS

OPERATIONS HAMPERED BY THE WEATHER STRONGLY-DEFENDED POSITIONS CAPTURED The High Commissioner reports:— London, July 18, 3.15 p.m. "Sic Douglas Haig reports that thick mist find incessant rain are"interfering with> the operations in the neighbourhood of tho Somnie. "Northwards of Ovillers the British substantially progressed, during tho uiglii on a front of a thousand yards. Tho enemy was driven but of several strongly-defended points, and wo captured prisoners and six machine-guns." HEAVY ATTACK BY THE GERMANS." The High Commissioner reports:— London, July ID, 1.30 a.m. A report from British-Headquarters states: '"This a bombardment. with lachrymatory gas shells, the Germans commenced an attack, against our positions in tho vicinity of Longuoval and Belvillo Wood. Hoavy lighting ia progressing. "On tho rest of tho front tho work is unimportant."

RAIDING AFFAIRS IN FLANDERS. The High Commissioner reportst 1 London, July 18, 8.15 p.m. "Near Whyschaeto we successfully raided tho German trenches. "Opposite Guinchy similar attempts by the enemy wore frustrated by our fire." BELGIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Oablo Association. (Kec. July 19, 8.35 p.m.) London, July 1!). A Belgian official communique states: "A detachment raided the German trenches north of Dixrnude, killing the majority of the occupants. We captured somo unbounded prisoners." GENERAL HAIG THANKED BY THE j KING. (Rsuter's Telegram.) (Kec. July 19, 7.25 p.m.) London, July 18. Tho King lias telegraphed to Sir; Douglas Haig liis great admiration for the continued successful advance of tho British troops, and also conveys tho Tsar's congratulations. VSir Douglas TTaig" replied, conveying the Army' 3 thanks for Their Majesties' gracious appreciations. SEVERE FIGHTING ON THE FRENCH FRONT ... GERMANS ATTEMPT TO RETA'KE LA MAISONETTE. ' ' Australian-New Ztaland Cable Association. Paris, July IS. 'A French official communique states "At nightfall on Monday the cneniy attacked 011 tho front from Biaches to La llaisonette. De3pito ropeated attempts, costing heavy losses, the enemy was unable to seize La Maisonette. Somo fractions penetrated along the canal into the eastern part of Biachcs. The struggle continues." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Itee. July 19, 8.30 p.m.) Paris, July '19. A French'.official communiquo states: "AYo drova out the Germans wlio for somo hours had held Biaches. "Matters are quiet clsowhere." THE OFFENSIVE ACCORDING TO GERMANY OFFICIAL CLAIMS TO SUCCESSES. London, July 18. A Gemiau'official communique states: "The enemy 011 both sides of the Somiuo used the day for artillery preparations, and directed strong attacks in the evening and night against Pozieres, Biaches, La Maisonette, Bartons, and Soyecourt. The attacks were everywhere frustrated with heavy losses." WHAT THE GERMANS ARE THINKING. (Roc. July 19, 5.5 p.m.) . Amsterdam, July 18. The Cologne correspondent of "De Tijd" writes: "On all sides it is becoming apparent that not a single German aim will bo achieved. The military operations on the Western front aro severely criticised, particularly 'the death inarch to. wards Verdun.' The Crown Princo is openly accused of having a useless accumulation of troops, thus impeding a victorious offensive on some other front. "Offioers who have been taken prisoner on the Western l'ront admit that the Germans above all fear the English and tlie French offensives at fresh points on the front, for which, there are not tsulliciont reserves. They say that every man of Kitchener's armies seems to bo a sharpshooter, and hisjcourage is equal to that of the best trained soldier. Trones Wood is a vast German graveyard—more men. liavo been sacrificed there than at any point of tho retreat." "OUR HOUR HAS COME!'.' SAYS A GERMAN PAPER. Amsterdam) July 18. The "Weser Zoitung," published at Bremen, in a remarkable article on Germany's position, says: "The hour has eoiuo wlien wo must clench our teeth, for tho situation is grave. Wo have got our teeth in Verdun so tight that we aro unable to let go. The Austrians aro at a standstill in tho Sette Comuni; tho English and French are hard upon us at the Sommo; tlio Russians are upon us from Riga to Rumania. In every quarter there aro difficulties and obstacles, which aro raising tlie anxious cry, 'How shall these tilings end?' Yet, though the present is black, the future belongs to tho Germans." OPERATIONS ON THE MEUSE The-High Commissioner reports: London, July. 18, 3.35 p.m. "On tho right bank of tho Mcu*c t'ho night was marked by gronado combats in the neighbourhood of Chapello Sainto Fino and westwards of Fleury. Everywhere the enemy was repulsed. / "Thero has boon a lively artillery action in tlio region of La Laufee and Chehois. . "Our fire foiled an attempted coup at Hill 301.'' APPEAL TO THE MUNITION MEN . • , WORKERS FULLY ALIVE TO THE NECESSITIES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, July 18. Tho Press Bureau states that Lord Montagu of Beaulien, Minister of Munitions; Dr.. Macnainara, Secretary to tho Admiralty; and Dr. C. Addison, Parliamentary Secretary of Munitions, attonded the Oaxton Hall Conference, at which there wero 400 delegates, representing 2,000,000 workers. Mr. Henderson, as chairman, said that tho Government was awaro of tho sacrifices made by tho workers,'who realised the imporativo necessities, and the two characteristics,, of our great offensive—that success was only possible by an unlimited expenditure of munitions, and that the small proportion of deaths and serious wounds as compared with slight wounds was a result due to our artillery superiority. j ' BRITISH WORKMEN WILE STA'ND BY HAIG. (Renter's Telegram.) ■ London, July 18. The National Trade Union Congress, at Caxtou Hall, discussed General Haig's appeal to munition workers to support the army, and decided to postpone their holidays till tho end of tho war. They also sent a message assuring General Haig that the munition supply:will not only'be maintained, but will bo increased to the utmost possible extent. A message was also sent to the' Allied coinmandors as a proof of the spirit of the British workmen. "HALF-A-MILLION BRITISH SHELLS FIRED PER DAY. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. July 19, 8.35 p.m.) London, July 19. The "Morning Post's" correspondent on the Western front states that 'it has been roughly calculated that 6ince June 22 wo have rained half-a-million shells on the enemy every day.