THE FRENCH SUCCESS AT SAILLYSAILLISEL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2908, 21 October 1916, Page 9

THE FRENCH SUCCESS AT SAILLYSAILLISEL

WHOLE VILLAGE NOW OCCUPIED COSTLY BUT UNAVAILING COUNTER-ATTACKS The Higli ComwiaiioDßr reports:— London, October 19, 1.40 a.m. A French official report states: "North-,of the Sommo we completed the capture of Sailly-Saillisel,'and chased the enemy from tho ridges north-west and north-ea6t of the village: South of tho Somme the German first line was carried by a rush on all the front'between La Maisonetto and Biaches." London, October 10, 3.10 p.m. A French official report states: "At Saillisel tho.position has been consolidated. Tho enemy's counter-attack was broken by our barrago of fire, and our gains maintained. South of the Somme new progress has been made between La Maisonette and Biaches." FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Außtralian-Naw Zealand Cable Association. (Ree. October 20, 9.20 p.m.) Paris, October 20. A French official communique states: "Our artillery repulsed attacking wares of the enemy, who were leaving the trenches in a vain attempt to deliver a counter-attack on our linos northward and eastward of Sailly Saillisol. Tho enomy's losses were 6erious. AVe mado fresh progross between Biaches and La Maisonette."

■'SIR . DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. „• -r. , rr • , „« ■, London, October 19. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our raiders entered trenches at Loos and south of Arras." . • (Rec. October 20, 7.30 p.m.) „• London, October 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports: ' Heavy rain has fallen all tbo morning. We slightly advanced our line at Butte-de-Warlencourt, and ou rbarrage stopped a counter-attack by the. enemy." TACTICAL VALUE OF SAILLY-SAILLISEL V' COMPARATIVE LULL ON" THE SOMME EXPLAINED. _ ~„,,<•, London, October 19. The comparative lull on the Somme continues. Nevertheless the offensive is progressing the whole time, as the big guns are' slowly creeping nearer the German positions. It takes immense labour to construct tho roads and railway tracks, by which the guns are brought up. The capture of Sailly Saillisel is most important, as tho Germans had there installed numerous machine-guns, which greatly hampered the British advance at- Le Transloy. . Sailly-Saillisel is the key to the position on the crest of the ridge dominating the Wood of St. Pierre Vaast. The fighting for the village was of the heaviest, and was continuous since Sunday evening. It is the last natural stronghold on the edge of the plain stretching north-east to Cambrai. Every* thing possible was' done to elaborate the defence of the village. The Germans crowded as much garrison as the trenches and ruined'buildings and cellars would hold. r ■ ' ■ ■ ' — • . ENEMY FORCED TO TAKE UP FRESH LINE •. —— / i ' (Rec. Octobe.r 21, 0.40 a.m.) " London, October 20: The "Daily Telegraph's" Paris correspondent states that owing to the loss of Sailly-Saillisel the Germans are hastily forming a fresh line of defences between Warlencourt, Le Transloy, and Sailly. Buttl Le Transloy is in imminent danger of capture by the British, which would probably compel the Germans to.withdraw their first line three or four miles eastward. St. Vaast_ Wood has been virtually lost, and the Germans have already removed their artillery to Vaux Wood, three miles eastward, under a harassing French fire. RECENT EVENTS ON BRITISH FRONT SUMMED UP HOW WE ARE WEARING DOWN THE ENEMY'S MORALE. (Rec. October 20, 7.30 p.m.) c- t, ', Ti • • ~ • London, October 20. • bir Douglag Haig, summing up tho operations since the publication of the last summary, in the area between Thiepval and Lo Sars, says: "We have gradually won a series of strong positions. The fighting wa s heavy and prolonged, and tho enemy resisted stubbornly until surrounded in one place after another, and large numbers of prisoners were taken. We had to repel repeated counter-attacks. Generally, these were stopped by the artillery and machine-guns, but where tho enemy traversed the barrage' and reached our lines they were thrown back by infantry rifle fire with heavy losses. Once or twice they secured a foothold in a trench, and were then promptly driven out with the bayonet. Tho number of prisoners taken sinco the. beginning of July now totals 28,918. One of our divisions, which had • previously had many days' hard fighting, took prisoner in the action of October 7 eight officers and 474 men. "A captured document from German Headquarters, acknowledging the superiority of the British airmen, suggests methods of reorganisation Whereby 'it is hoped that it will he possible for at.least some liours to contest our enemy's supremacy in the air.' Assisted by tho aeroplanes, our artillery has established and maintained a clear superiority over the enemy. They have supported the infantry, disorganised the arrangements behind the enemy's front lines, and also hindered the arrival of reserves and supplies. They allow fho enemy no rest, day or night, and materially assist in wearing down that morale which is vital to success in battle. The German infantry has been shown to be wanting in endurance and devotion: Captured documents bear clear testimony to tho effect of our contindus artillery fire, the dash and discipline of our infantry attacks; and tho quality of our men." REPORTED DECISION TO FIGHT ALL WINTER ENEMY'TO HAVE NO REST. • • .: ■ (Rec. October 20, 11.50 p.m.) , ■ , Paris, October 20.' "L Intransigeant" states that the 'Anglo-French high commands have decided to prosecute a most vigorous winter war, not permitting the Germans, to transfer troops, _or keep their, reserves'and homo garrisons for the spring 1 campaign. The Allies are making.all arrangements for winter comforts in thetrenches.. ''"".' "" '""..'.' "•" ,■-■■.-.-■ ; ■• •.■-■• . GER.MAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. - ' ' . _ .'•.■-. London, October 20. • A German official communique states: "The English made an unavailing attempt for several hours to break through between Le Sars and . Morval. They secured unimportant gains north.of Eaucourt-l'Abbaye and Gueudecour.t, I while the; French' achieved similar results at Sailly-Saillisel,- and between I Biaches and La Maisonette."