LOCAL ACTIONS ON THE SOMME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 5

LOCAL ACTIONS ON THE SOMME

SITUATION UNCHANGED SIGNIFICANT MUSTERING OP THE ENEMY The High Commissioner reports:—, . London, August 13, 8.55 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "As a result of ■ local fighting nortli-east of Pozieres during the last two days wo retook nearly the wliolo of the _ remainder of trenches whicli tho enemy gained on' Sunday. During the niglit we also forced an eiitry into enemy trenches at Jlouquet.Farm, bringing back eleven prisoners. 'Small attempts by the enemy to raid' tlio trenches on our right were repulsed with loss." • THE LATEST-NO CHANGE ON EITHER FRONT. (By Telegraph—Press Association— <>pyright); " AustrKl'on-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. August 16, 9.30 p.m.) ' . , London, August 16. Both Sir Douglas Haig's report and the French official communiquo stats that the situation on the Somme is unchanged. ■ . 9 OPERATIONS ON THE FRENCH FRONT ' —~~ A HEAVY CANNONADING ON THE SOMME. Paris, August 15. A French official communique states: "There has been great, artillery 'firing on the Somme front. _ A German detachment after a heavy bombardment penetrated a small salient of our lines north-west of Heaurge, northward of the Aisne. Our counter-attack threw them out.' Our Grenadiers brilliantly took 300 yards of trenches to a depth 0 f 100 yards northwards of ChapelleSainto Fine." . GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ' ■ ■ > ■f-. London, August 15. A German official communique states: "The English made,repeated attacks at Ovillers and Bazcntin-le-Petit. "We again obtained a foothold in tho first-line trenches at Thiepval and Pozieres, frojn which we were repulsed yesterday morning. The French twice fruitlessly attacked at Maurepas and Hem." . < GERMAN SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD YOUTHS CALLED UP. Amsterdam, August 15. The German 1919 class, born in 1899, has been ordered to enrol. ENEMY MUSTERING. FOR A DECISION. (Beater's TelesranU Paris, August 15. Tlio newspapers consider that the Kaiser's visit to the AVestern front, together with the fact that the enemy "is sending thither all the reinforcements that can be spared, especially of heavy artillery, indicates that Germany is seeking a- decision there, and has given up hope of successes elsewhere. THE UNKNOWN GERMAN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ON THE SOMME IDENTITY CAREFULLY VEILED. Australian-Jfew Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. 'August 16, 11.35 p.m.) London, August 16. Tho New York "Times" Berlin correspondent says: "I have spent twit evenings with' the 'Man of Mystery' who is Commander-in-Chief of the German armies on the Somme. His name is not known, even' to tho German people, and lam not permitted to disclose it. I asked him if the English offensive was weakening. Ho replied, 'No. Despite very heavy losses, the British havo come hack again and again. They are stubborn foes Though' the British offensive may last two months, perhaps longer, I am prepared for a winter campaign-. Tho British are tough, dogged, , and determined, but they will not get past' me.''' ! THE KING VISITS THE ARMY ROYAL MESSAGE TO THE TROOPS. . Australian-JTew Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. August 16, 6.15 p.m.) London, August 15; Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "Tho King lias visited all parts of the front. All tho traffic and turmoil of war has surged about him, and an endless procession of the Empire's manhood has passed him on tlio roads, not in review order, but as men going to do tlio! work of war. Tlio King has taken certain risks, and gone well within range of the enemy's guns, and stood among the wrcckago and ruin of war, where the ground is a graveyard of gallant inen. The King's presence in the danger zono stirred the troops greatly. ■ _ -- "Tlio King and Sir Douglas Haig met President Pomcare, General Joffre, and General Fooh on Saturday, attendod service the troops on Sunday, and visited the King and Queen- of tho Belgians on Monday. Tho essential character of the regal visit was its informality and absence of ceremony. Hie Majesty inspected tho men's billets without an escort The King passed one thousand of tho Australians, who wore assembled round their own headquarters, and they made a great demonstration of loyalty. Tho King, addressing Sir Sv. I'. Birdwood, oxprcssod his high appreciation of their magnificent work. A-little later, quite unexpectedly, there came down tho road a largo body of'Anxacs from Pozieres in full kjfc, with all tho dirt and dust of batt-lo upon them, whistling and singing. 'Hullo, boys!' shouted an officer, 'here's Jho King.' They halted, flung'off their hats, and cheered tremendously. It 'was a fino, stirring scone, tho better for its unexpectedness."

A MESSAGE TO THE ARMY (Rec. 'August 16, 6.20 p.m.) London, 'August 15. Tho. Kind's General Order to tlio Army in. France, which has been sent to Sir Douglas Haig, says:— "It has been a-great pleasure and satisfaction to bo with my armies during the past week, and to bo able to judge of their 6plcndid condition for war, the spirit and cheerful confidence which is animat- , ing all ranks, the united and loyal co-operation of tho chiefs to one another. Since ray last visit to the front you have had almost uninterrupted fighting on parts of our line. The offensive which was recently begun has been resolutely maintained day and night. I have had opportunities of visiting some scones of your lato desperate struggles, and, appreciating the demands which ha.ve been mado upon your courage and physical endurance in order to assail and capture positions which had been prepared for two years, and stoutly defended to tho last, I have realised not only the splendid work you liavo dono immediately in touch with the enemy, but also the vast organisations behind the fighting line. Honourable alike is the genius of the initiator and the heart jand the hand of the workers, everywhere proof that all men and women are playing their part. I • rejoice to think that your noble efforts have been heartily seconded by all classes at homo. The happy relations between my armies and those of our French Allies Tias_been equally noticeablp between my troops and tho inhabitants of tlio districts where they havo been quartered, and from whom they have received a cordial welcome ever' sincc their first arrival in France. Ido not think I and' your fellowcountrymen will ever forget tho heavy sacrifices the armies have made or the braveiy and endurance displayed during tho past two years of this bitter conflict. Those sacriiiccs havo not been, in vain. The arms of tho Allies will never be laid down until our cause has triumphed. I return liome more than ever proud of you. May God guide you to victory." SAFE RETURN TO LONDON. ' ! V (Router's Telegram.) (Rec. August 16, 10.50 p.m.)' i- .. , London, August 16. . The King returned to London yesterday In excellent health.