THE BATTLE FOR LASSIGNY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 281, 16 August 1918, Page 5

THE BATTLE FOR LASSIGNY

.GENERAL HUBERT'S FUNKING TACTICS TERRIFIC STRUGGLE ON THE RIDGE By Teleg-raph-Presa Afisoclation-Copyrlfflit. London, August 11. Tho "Pall Mall Gazetto" understands that Lassigny has been captured.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HUMBERT'S FIGHT FOE THE LASSIGNY RIDGE DESPERATE CONFLICTS IN VALLEYS AND RAVINES. ; London, August 11. • neuter's correspondent at French Headquarters reports: "General Humbert, whose front as the result of recent progress' now faces east instead of north, again attacked the Lassigny or Triescourt massif' positions to-day. His left was heavily counter-attacked, and remained oil tho defensive; but his right pushed forward all round the western and southern edges of the "little Switzerland" and reached Plessior do Roye Park and the village of Belval, whero General Humbert, ■with the same army, had stopped von Hutiar's rush in March after one of tho bloodiest fights of the year. To-day's battle raged till evening, when tho French held the Saint Claude Farm, and l'Econvillon, two of the most important points cn the massif. The fighting is difficult, for the enemy.is holding the front thinly with almost as many machine-guns as men, and their whereabouts is difficult to locate. The enemy is filling the valleysj passes, and woods with mustard gas. The French are fighting their way with rifles and grenades, and advancing over the broken country by infiltration; The enemy's tactics indicate that he is retiring to a not distant defensive line."—Reuter. TERRIFIC FIGHTING ON THE RIDGE. ' (Rec. August 15-16, midnight.) . 1 London, August 14. Thero has been terrific fighting on tho top of Lassigny Ridge. The Fronch are pushing solidly down the far side, and meeting with tho fiercest resistance everywhere. It may be a 1 couple of days before the enemy is cleared off. The situation ibetween Roye and Chaulnes is stationary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A POWERFUL ATTACK DELIVERED LASSIGN,Y BELIEVED TO BE IN FRENCH HANDS. (Rec. August 15-16, midnight.) London, August 15. The "Pall Mall Gazette" states that Gfeneval Humbert delivered a powerful attack on a comparatively short front, this morning. It is believed that the operation was successful. It is reported that tho town. of Lassigny is already, in French hands. The Allied airmen aro increasingly aggressive, and hava penetrated far to the rear. They report that reinforcements of men airtl guns are coming up to threatened points. The enemy is withdrawing his heavy guns elsewhere. He has destroyed-his light weapons, ammunition stores, and other implements wholesale, with the exception of food and • clothing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RAWLINSON'S ARMY FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE. London, August 11, General Eawlinson'a army is meeting with desperate resistance west' of Chaulnes,—Aus.-N.Z. Ca'ble Assn. CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE AUSTRALIANS. New York, August 14. Tlio Australians have conquered all the enemy positions on the western outskirts of Bray, and now hold Oatcaux Wood—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICIAL REPORTS SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S DISPATCHES. London, August 14. Sir Douglas Haig reports:' "The liostilo artillery was active at night on the fvattlefront, but there was no infantry action. We repulsed local attacks in the Dickebusch sector (southwest of Ypros) at midday,on Tuesday. There was considerable hostile artillery fire in this neighbourhood at night, and also northwest of Kemniel. Wo made a successful raid in tlio 'neighbourhood of Ayette. Our patrols progressed in tlis Vieux Borquin si-ctor, established onr lino east of tho village, and took a numbor of prisoners. Ouir lino was advanced slightly east of Motoren."—Aus.-N.Z. 'Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMANS EVACUATE FORWARD POSITIONS.(Rec, Ausust 15. 7.55 p.m.) ! London, August 14-15, midnight. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "In local fighting in tho neighbourhood of Parvillors wo made progress. Following tho enemy's recent withdrawals on the Hebuterne sector, the enemy evacuated his forward positions at Beaumont Hamel, Serre, Puisioux-au-Moat and Bucquoy. Our patrols, advancing, gained ground around theso villages."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Routof. ON THE FRENCH FRONT (Rec. Angus- 15, 7.55 p.m.) London, August 14, 4 p.m. A French communique states: "Betvven tlio Avre and the Oiso there was active mutual artillery activity, notably on tho Roye-sur-Matz and Conchy-les-Pots sectors. On tho Veslo front enenr. raids woro without result. Wo raided tho onomy's lines in tho region of Mesm -les-Hurluo."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aeen.Router. , (Rec. Angus' 15, 9.15 p.m ) London, August 15. A French communique states: "Dur.ug the day we continued to make progross belween tho Matz and tho Oiso and c«:»tuired IJibecourt. East of Belval tho infantry learned that a German counter- '.thick was lieing prepared, and succeeded in taking prisoner seven officers and p number of men. In the regions of Rovo and Lassigny tho liveliest artillery lighting was continued."—Aus.-N.Z. Ca'ble Assn.-Reuter. FURTHER GERMAN RETIREMENT (Rec. August 16, 1.29 a.m.) . .. • London, August 15. A further retirement north of tbe Sommo takes the German lino behind the Somme battlo-line of 1916.—"The Times." ,