AUSTRALIAN EXPLOIT IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 196, 8 May 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN EXPLOIT IN THE WEST

BRITISH LINE ADVANCED

GERMAN ATTEMPT ON FRENCH FRONT FOILED

By Telegraph-Preen Aesocklion-Copyright.

,„,.,,. . , , .„. London, May 6, 3.45 p.m. ■ rho Australians, in two brilliant actions between tho Ancre and the Somnie advanced their line along twelvo hundred yards moro of front. Man? Germans wero killed, and 150 were taken prisoner. Tho Australians reached tho lower elopes of a ridge in the neighbourhood of Vaux-sur-Somme, an important tactical point.—Aus.-N.55. Cablo Assn. STORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN ATTACK. (Eec. May 7, 7.10 p.m.) London, Mav 6. The United Press correspondent writes:—'The first of our two successes (last week) advanced tho British line seven hundred yards on fifteen hundred yards of front. Early yesterday morning the Australians swept forward silently in the darkness, surprising tho thin garrison that waa holding tho front lines just northward of Somnie. The Australians established thomselves in tho position Similarly, in pitch darkness, this morning, the Australians pushed on aiiother iivo hundred yards on two thousand yards of front. They met with obstinate resistance, but killed many Germans, and took 150 prisoners. Tho weaUior is now showery/'—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM (Eec. May 8, J. 15 a.m.) London, May 6. Mr. Perry Robinson writes: Tho quiet at the front become ominous. Tho dovil's dance is about to recommence. Continual rain delays tho enemy's plans, but another great blow is surely impending. The Australians' £no advance between Sailly-lc-Lac and Morlancourt not only relieves tho immediate- pressure on Amiens from Corbie, hut gives additional observation over tho German bnck areas eastwards of Brelonnoux. The Australians, besides inflicting licavy casualties, took about two hundred prisoners and captured machine-guns.—"The Times."

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT.

(Eec. May 7, 7.10 p.m.)

i London, May 6, 12.40 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig Teports:—"As tho result of a minor operation our line westward and south-westward of Morlancourt, between the Sommo and the Ancre was advanced on a considerable front, in spilo of strong opposition. Tho ene'my's losses were heavy, while our casualties were slight. Local fighting improved our positions in tho neighbourhood of Locon and tho Lawo Biver."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeutcr. (Rec. May 8, 0.45 a.m.) London, Mny C. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— We earned out a successful locul operation dur- | ing the night in tho neighbourhood of Morlancourt. We took over 200 prisoners. The French repulsed attempted raids southward of Locro. Reciprocal I artillery activity continued all day along the baftlefronts. Our artillery caused I several fires behind fho enemy s lines northward of the Lys."— Cablo Assn.-Eeuter. ON THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT A RAID ON THE ENEMY'S LINES. (Special from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent.) During minor operations last nisht the New Zealanders advanced into tho German trenches, and after killing between thirty and forty of the enemy, brought back ten arisoners. Our position was very slightly improved. Prisoners state that the preliminary bombardment killed several men. Tho trench mortars did I effective work. GERMAN ADVANCE SMOTHERED BY THE BRITISH GUNNERS ' London, May 6. I Eoiiter's correspondent in France states that the British firo' in Flanders during the past three days has completely provonted any enemy movement. Tho enemy had undoubtedly prepared an attack for Saturday, but thu British gunners smothered it before it could b* launched.—Router. ATTACK ON THE FRENCH COLLAPSES , SERIOUS LOSSES INFLICTED. (Eec. May 7, 7.10 p.m.) , _. , . . , ~, London, May G. i p.m. A Fronch official communique, states:— An attempt by the enemy after a violent bombardment to reach our line south-west of Anchin Farm failed completely. Many of the enemy woro killed. Une of our dotachments penetrated the German organisations in tho region north of Loivre, west of Reims, and indicted serious losses."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assu.-Reuter. (Eec. May 8, 0.45 a.m.) . * , , ,m, . London, May G. A French communique statos:—"Tho front is somewhat nuiet. There is reciprocal artillery activity north and south of the Ivre."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Asan.Reuter. THE GERMAN REPORT 'lien. May 8, 1.10 a.m.) ..... , , London, May G. A wireless German omcial report states: "A local enemy attack southward of Locre failed. We took pome prisoners during reconnoitring engagements near Hangurd, eouth-weet of Brunont, and also with tho Americans couth-west of Blamont, and with tho Froiicb at Ilartmannswoilcr Kopf."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Eeuter.

ENEMY REORGANISING HIS DIVISIONS CROWDED MASSES CAUSE "MAD CONFUSION." ~,. „.., ~ „.. . London. May 6. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes:- Nearly a week lins passed without a German attack. Tho oiiomy is reorganising us divisions and preparing nnotlior offensive Ho has many divisions in the fclemish. fields and on tlio Soinmc and also has divisions crowded in reserve. But there are few roads for marching! not much room for tho masses to assemblo, and little cover in iroiichcs and dug-outs, eo that we pound many Germane to death. Beliefs coming up got wildly mixed with divisions returning. There is mad confusion at night in the ranks of the marching men and tho transport columns, while the Red Cross convoys arc overloaded with wounded, llieso things aro upsetting tho plans of the TIMi German Command, but U; villi continue to pour out tho blood of tho infaiitrv in this great gamble. Ihe only chanco of tho onslaught stopping is that the Gorman people may bo hornflod, and neo in a passion against the spilling of tho soldiers blood.— Aus,-:N.Z, Cable Aeen.