THIRD DAY OF THE GREAT BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3154, 4 August 1917, Page 7

THIRD DAY OF THE GREAT BATTLE

NEW LINE STRONGLY HELD NEW ZEALANDERS AND AUSTRALIANS AT WARNETON ' ', (Bj Telegraph—Prem Afeociation—Copyright). : London, August 2. Sir Douglas Kaig reports: "For forty-eight hours there has been incessant, rain. The enemy yesterday afternoon succeeded, at great cost, in gaining a. foothold in our advanced positions near the Ypres-Roulers railway. Our counterattack drove him out at all points, and completely re-established the former line. We successfully raided the enemy's trendies south-east of Hardcourt."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. VIOLENT BUT UNSUCCESSFUL ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY. (Roc. August 3, 7.10 p.m.) ' ". ' London, August t. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The enemy during the morning and afternoon violently but unsuccessfully attempted to recover his lost ground north-eost of Ypres. Strong forces repeatedly attacked, regardless of the increasing severity of their losses, our positions between the Ypres-Roulers railway and St. Jitlien. In every case wo broke up and dispersed the advancing lines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. SEVERE FIGHTING YESTERDAY London, August 2. Renter's correspondent at Headquarters states: "In spite of the bad weather, which impedes the operations, there has been severe fighting during the past twenty-four hours. The Germans are manifestly perturbed at our gaining 6Q much of the high ground on the Pilkem Ridge, and launched several desperate counter-attacks, throwing in their best storming troops, to try and retrieve the situation. Our preponderance of gun-power enables us to maintain a steady barrage on the German rear, through which reinforcements have to come before an attack can be organised."—Reuter. (Rec. August 3, 10.30 p.m.) v London, August 3. Mr. Philip Oibbs writes: "Tho weather is still abominable, and the battlefield is waterlogged. There are ceaseless rainstorms, but the fightin" continues The enemy, strongly counter-attacking northwards of Frezenburg, encountered thf tire of our artillery and machine-guns, which swept them down. • The Germans suddenly attacked two hours after, emerging from (he dense smoke of the barrage. Our guns poured shells on to this portion of the ground, which wo regained in the evening. The German gun lire is intense over a. great part of this lost territory, the enemy's long-range puns shelling far behind our lines. The ntuation is exactly the same as at the end of the first day of the battle."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. , ON THE FRENCH FRONT London, Aiurust 2. A French official communique states: "The bad weather continues. There are violent artillery actions on various, sectors. Tho Germane, without result, again attacked at Avicourt Wood (west of tho Meuse)."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Router. (Rec. August. 3,'9.50 p.m.) London, August 3. A French official commuuiqao states:—"The Belgium artillery fire is dominating the German batteries, whose activity is greater east and north of Bixchnote, and prevented any attempted .attack. Wβ stopped two enemy attacks east of Cerny. A reciprocal artillery bombardment is in progress en' the left bank of the Meuse. i "Between July 21 and 31 we brought down twenty aeroplanes and two balloons, and caused twenty-one neroplanesto descend; ten flying squadrons threw many tons of projectiles over the enemy's stations at Rouiers, *s\tetz, Thionville, and,elsewhere, besides bombing factories, cantonments, bivouacs, and munition depots, causing considerable damage.'.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. : GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Rec. August 3, 7.20 p.m.) London, August 2. A German official report states: "We-repulsed tho enemy in Flanders everywhere in heavy fighting, frequently pushing forward our battles lines by counterattacks, and taking several hundred prisoners. We repulsed five French attacks on the Chorain-des-Da.mes. The Trench fruitlessly attacked on the -west bank of the Meuse. We captured 750 prisoners yesterday."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. SIGNIFICANT RHETORIC IN THE ENEMY'S REPORT COUPLED WITH MENDACIOUS ASSERTIONS. London, August 2. Military critics point out the significance of the Berlin communique in mendaciously implying that Tuesday's assault was triumphantly repelled, and that the day brought a. great German victory. The .newspapers interpret the rhetorical communique as a sign o£ political desperation, and consider it a remarkable pendant to the Kaiser's two bombastic and defiant proclamations.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ... GERMAN COUNCIL OF WAR ■ Amsterdam, August 2. The Kaiser has summoned a. Council of War at Brussels to-da.y. The Crown Prince, von Hindenburg, von Ludendorff, Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, Admiral j. von Capolle, the Grand Duke Albreoht, and others iril be present.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OPINIONS ON THE BATTLE OPENING PHASES A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT. (Rec. August 3, 6.50 p.m.) London, 'August 2. Colonel Repington says that, considering the extraordinary difficulties of terrain and the defences and strength of the defenders, the opening phases 'of the third battle of Ypres will always remain a wonderful achievement for the British I Army. The objectives did not include the enemy's main artillery positions, and therefore largo captures of guns were not anticipated. The onemy, alarmed at his previous artillery losses, of .course kept his guns far back, tsavint; them at the expense Df the infantry, who fought less valiantly than usual. Sir Douglas Haig employed merely a fraction of the troops at his disposal. Aβ the reputation of tho German Command is at 6take, and the spirit of the troops cannot stand these' contmnous defeats and immense leases, it must be expected that the German General Staff will-shortly try to do something to restore their inuch-tarnisli- ; ed- -prestige.—"The Times."

IS THE DEFENSIVE IN MODERN WAR IMPREGNABLE? SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY. * - ... London, August 2. General Sir William Robertson (Chief of Ihe Imperial General Staff), asked for a, soldier's frank opinion on the progress of the war, replied: "The tremendous content between the armed millions is also a lost of racial qualities. Supposing it is impossible to roll uptho enemy's Hanks, you can still break his heart and destroy his people's confidence. Remembering Germany's readiness, compare our position in 1!)W and now. Wo have armies of millions where we formerly had thousands. Wo no longer have our backs to tho Germans, but are driving them before us, taking positions they regarded as a. matter of life and death. It is too early to Bay the defensive in modern warfare is impregnable. If the Army does not crack, the notion behind it may crack. Considering the respective numbers and leeources, it is fair to conclude that the Allies, if they are steadfast.and sound-hearted, will compel the Central Powers to submit sooner or later. Quality is_ going to win the war, character being the deciding factor. Tho Germans affect to despise America's intervention. America's numbers and resources must play a prodigious, perhaps a decisive, part. When an unmilitaristic nation with such energy was forced in for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the world's democracy, it made the end of the war certain. America has begun splendidly. When she strikes, her blows will bring despair to the hearts of the War Lords, who already are troubled lest their own people should find them out."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A&sn. THE TASK ALLOTTED TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND DASHING TACTICS OVER DIFFICULT GROUND. (Kec. August 3, 10.30 p.m.) London, August 3. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes: "The Australians and New Zealanders were allotted difficult country on the extreme right of the attack below AVarneton, where the enemy had. gone to great trouble to wire .the hedges, and cover shell-holes with wire-netting for hiding machine-guns and snipers. When the New Zealanders took La Basse Ville, the place was a mere muddle of broken bricks. It had already been taken and lost, but tho New Zealanders, once established firmly, held on despite the fact that the cellars were temporarily useless, being choked with the dead. The Australians, after hard fighting, captured an old windmill near La Basse Ville, an important point, as it stood on. a knoll. Wavee of Germans in the morning advanced across the Warneton Road, encircling the windmill and compelled the Australians to evacuate the position, but after several hours shelling the Australians at midnight returned and routed out the garrison, and now firmly hold the position agaiin. Our airmen performed un ; .maginnble feats, machine-gunning down chimneys and then flying TOund the front of the houses and squirting streams of lead through the open doors."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GALLANT FIGHT BY NEW ZEALANDERS Paris, August 2. _ The Paris "Journal" states that the New Zealander.; showed splendid 6pirit in seizing a, machine-gun at the cross-roads redoubt at La Basse Ville, after a terrific hand-to-hand fight, and which in spite of two great counter-attacks they held on firmly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VIVID STORIES FROM THE BATTLEFIELD GERMAN DIVISIONS TERRIBLY SHATTERED. London, August 2. Correspondents (state that during Tuesday's battle we used, from the booty captured, a quantity of the newest German gas-shells. Four German divisions, pounded and pummelled, and wrecked by the bombardment, were taken out before the battle proper, and were followed by six othifrs who in the battle faced artillery, burning oil. gas, and ehowers of molten liquid, before they encountered tho indomitable infantry of tho Allies. Altogether, the bulk of thirteen divisions was so punished and shaken that their recovery will bo slow aud costly. The Welshmen captured Pilkem and a large portion of the ridge, other troops assisting them, while the Scottish and English captured tho slope of Zonnebeko Ridge. Experts consider that the lino of thn Lys River, where we are facing determined opposition, is of more importance, strategically, than tho co.untry further north. Appalling Carnage on the Enemy's Side. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes that a rainstorm veils the battlefield in a. donee mist. Tho wretched German infantry are lying in the open woods in a frightful condition. Wet to the skin and cut oft' by our barrages, tho sufferings of the Germans who aro huddled in expo 3l ''' places are, a<; hideous as anything in human agony. Slashed to bile by storms of shell, they are urged forward to counter-attacks, knowing that death is inevitable. The prisoners have the look of men who have passed through hell. Drenched, their boots full of water, with sunken eyes and ash-grey faces, they look like eick and hunted animals. Many groiiiied loudly and piteously from cramp in their stomachs, due to long exposure and hunger. Others wept bitterly, saying that they hate the war. They do not hido the sufferings of the people at home, or that the Army is filled with gloomy forebodings, and lives in terror of our tremendous gunfire. About: one-fourth of the prisoners ::ro anaemic lads, who became terrorised, and were incapable of fight. Some nf our own men were, stunned by tho terrific blast of gunfire, and were amazed to find our field-guns wheel to wheel. They describe rows of German dead, including a brigade staff, clasping their gas-mnsks, as they were caught suddenly by the blackest terror of modern warfare. Signal Triumph for Gunners and Infantry, The "Dailv Chronicle'*" correspondent writes from the French Headquarters in Flanders: "The French Army is fighting in the sector between Noordschote and Boesinghn. Tt is difficult, flat country, offering little possibility of concealment, while tho inundations extend south to the neighbourhood of tho Ferryman's House. Tho sector is important because it points eastward on the left to the forest, of Houthoulst, a. Gorman stronghold since nutnmn, 1914, and on tho right to Routers. The German first line, beyond the canal, was inado untenable by Sunday's bombardment, and wns abandoned. The passage of the moderato ■ watercourse' thus proved a relatively easy proposition, and the whole of the three stretches of fieldworks of the first position passed into French hands in three hours. The armies holding tho ground won aro breaking successive countpr-sitlacks. The German Staff has not yet abandoned hope of recapturing tho lost defences, but we aro awaiting their etl'orti with calm confidence. Tho battle was a signal triumph for the gunners and infantry. It was tho first great battle of the war entirely without tho assistance of aeroplane observation, but venturesome aviators played a new part. They Hew ]ow through a dense mist, and engaged tho machine-gun redoubts. They silenced many strong point;', and thus became tho cavalry of the air. Some intrepid pilots dropped so low that the wings of the machine nearly brushed the concrete forts, while their machine-guns raked the surrounding trenches. It had been a laborious day for tho gunners, who hnd to bring their batteries over flooded roads in a. dismal drizzle which continued all' , day." French Correspondent's Story. The "Petit Parisien's" correspondent writes that nfter the first day's formidable bound the Allied troops contented themselves with repulsing strong counterattacks, especially ou the Yprcs sector. The Germans threw in formidable massed forces, biit the British, who endured the struggle, had been rendered hardier by tho first day's work. The heavy artillery continues the work of devastation, though the'sodden ground renders it less effective. When the Welsh had cleared nil the enemy trenches with grenades, they pentrated St. Jnlien on three sides. Fierce street fighting followed, and they had to lay siege to every house in turn. The carnage was frightful, but tho Welsh covered themselves with glory. The Prussian Guard obeyed their orders to die on the spot, and prisoners were not taken. One young prisoner declared that the Guards were promised that they would not have to take paTt in this fight, and worn to constitute, tho last reserve; but as things were going badly they had to go forward. Only two out of 150 were loft alive. Tho tanks did great work. One attacked a concrete redoubt, and all the garrison surrendered. Another made for a spinney bristling with machine-guns, and crushed everything flat; and here also the garrison surrendered.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN LOSSES ESTIMATED AT 20,000 Paris, August 2. ' It is estimated that the German casualties on the first day of the Battle of Ypres totalled 2Q.OOO.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. RED CROSS WORKERS SURPASS THEMSELVES SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE EDGE OF THE BATTLE. London, August 2. The Red Cro?s surpassed itself in its immediate and unceasing succour to the wounded. Specialist surgeons attended tho surgical stations on the edge of the battlefield, and body wounds were as expertly tended as in the base hospitals, while within a couple of hours of injury the same treatment was extended to the German wounded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. •FRENCH WAR MINISTER CONGRATULATES HIS BRITISH COLLEAGUE. London, August 2. M. P.iinleve, French Minister of War, has telegraphed to Lord Derby, the British Minister of War: "The advance hat. aroused enthusiasm in France. The heroism of your troops has dealt the Germans one of tho heaviest blows of the war."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.