THE BRITISH ATTACK ON BAPAUME

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3029, 16 March 1917, Page 5

THE BRITISH ATTACK ON BAPAUME

ADVANCE ON OVER A MILE AN® A HALF SHARP FIGHTING ON THE FEENCH FRONT The High' Commissioner reports:— London, March 14, 10.50 p.m. A British official report states: "North of the Ancro Valley, our line advanced over a mile and a half soutli-west and west of Bapaume. We niado further progress on a front of over a thousand yards, south of Achiet-le-Petlt, and occupied a thousand yards of south-east of Essarts. A raiding party north-east of Arras did not reach our lines. Last night one of our parties raided the trenches east of Armentieres. We effectively bombarded the enemy's positions north of the Somme and'east of Arras."

BRITISH MACHINE IN MOTION i TWO MILLION MEN ADVANCING. By Tclepraph-Prcss "AesociatioTi-Copyricht- ' r _ ,„„ , ' London, March 14. Mr. Beach I'homas says the British military maclii.no in France, numberingtwo million men, is now probably in motion. The Germans' lien' retirement was forced by the terrific British gunnery for pulverising the defences on Bapaume Ridge. Wo capturcd Loupart Wood and two miles of trenches at each end, controlling the surrounding slopes. \ All the correspondents agree that important 'British movements ars ponding. Mr; Philip Gibbs forecasts that tho coming events are likolv to severely damage the enemy even if ho escapes disaster.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn v ON THE FRENCH'FRONT FURTHER SUCCESSES REPORTED. , London, March 11. A French official message states: "Throughout the night an obstinate grenade struggle continued between Hill 185 and fitaisons do Champagne, wlcro vro captured more trenches. Between the Mouse and Airomont 'our troops penetrated the German trenches at four points Teaching the sccond line captur-prisoners."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Routor. ! (Rcc. March 15, 11.1.0 p.m.) . _ , m. . . London, March 15. A French oftcjal communique states: "We continued to make progress by bombing m tho region of Maisons-de-Champagne, notwithstanding a furious bombardment of tear shells by the enemy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn - Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT.' ' .. _ _ . , . London, March M. A berraan o&cial communique states: "La the 'Anore region the English attacked without artillery preparation between Acbiet-le-Petit and Grevillers Also, m the night time, after a heavy fire, tho.v attacked on both sides of the Biicqnoy. Thej were heavily repulsed. The Champagne battles continue south of Ripont with varying success. The Frenoh .thrusts near St. Mihiel failed. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOMETHING FOR GERMAN CONSUMPTION. Amsterdam, March Jl. Major Moraht. who has just returned from a visit to German Headquarters, contributes, a sensational article to the "Tageblatt," insisting on the advantage if the Germans' Western front is considerably shortened. "Let us remember the battle of the Masurian Lakes. Hindenburg showed the Russians that, despite his voluntary retreat, he had not abandoned the initia-tive."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.