SIDELIGHTS ON THE BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 297, 4 September 1918, Page 5

SIDELIGHTS ON THE BATTLE

INCOMPETENT GERMANS RELIEVED OF THEIR COMMANDS NEW GERMAN POISON HORROR EXPLOITS BY THE ANZACS Amsterdam, September 2. One hundred and fifty senior German officers, ranging from generals t° colonels, havo been rolieved of tlioir commands on tho Western front. Bw Crown Prince of Germany and tho Crown Prince (Rmpprccht) of Bavaria are not likelv to return to tho Western front for a long time Prince Rupprecht is living in a chateau, in Bavaria, and the Crown Prince is at Potsdam.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEW GERMANWAR HORROR POISON GAS THAT DESTROYS THE EYESIGHT. New York, September 2. Mr. Charles Grasty, in a. cablo messase from Paris to the New \ork "Times," states that he learns from a military source that the Germans hare invented, and arc now usintc m small quantities, a gas which complotely destroys tho eyesight—Aus.-iVZ/. Cablo Assn. . new zeaianderslefuse to be relieved London, September 2. The' United Press correspondent states that tho New Zealandcrs. aftei their marvellous advance to the edge of Bapaunie, rofused to consider a proposition that they should bo relieved before the city was .icbually taken.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ENEMY TRICKEdTt PERONNE CLEVER TACTICS BY THE AUSTRALIANS. London, September 2.

The story of the Australian success around Peronne, says Iteutcr'e correspondent, is a splendid one. Between August 29 and 31, the troops covered seven miles and a half on a front or throe miles. Tho frontal crossing ot the river was abandoned owing to the strength of the enemy and the marshy state of tbo ground: ' Tho Germans fullv expected an attack upon Peronne from the river, and all their dispositions were made in view of frontal resistance, but the cleverly executed turninc movement completely surprised the Germans and threw them into confusion. Our casualties were amazingly small, working out at one-tenth of tho number of prisoners taken.— Reuter.

NELVE EGLISE AND PERONNE GERJIAN DEATH LIST "UNUSUAL." . ' y (Rec. September' 3, 7.20 p.m.) t London, September 2. ■ The United Press correspondent states:—"The capture erf Neuvo Eghse was achieved mainly by the British working round from the north, compelling an evacuation, and allowing the Germans no rest. In tho region of Pennine part of the Fourth Army attacked them to-day. Tho German counter-attacks on Sunday against Mont St. Quentin were intended to stave off a renewed rush. While the Australians brilliantly recaptured positions on both sides of the mountain, including Feuillacourt; others forced their way across the river southwards of the city, and in spite of the mashes readied tho high ground beyond Poronne. Another unit, took Anvil ."Wood; pushed through Peronne and Flamicourt, and attacked the Eacqets and Flisques Woods. Many Germans were taken prisonor, and the enemy also had an unusual death list."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A/ssn.

AUSTRALIANS ESTABLISH A WAR RECORD PRISONERS EXCEED CASUALTIES TENFOLD. London, September 2. Mr. Philip, Gibbs writes: "Between August 26 and 31 the Australians have taken t'eu timos more prisoners than the whole Australian, casualties. This is« record for the present war."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A REMARKABLE" EXPLOIT y THE AMERICANS' CAPTURE OF JUVI6NY. London, September 2. Tlio Americans' capture of Jtivigny was a remarkablo exploit; The town lay on the further slope of a hill. Two parties crawled among the shell-pits over the crest, and got near the- town before they were observed, and'then rushed the town, wherein there were a thousand Germans. Fierce fighting with the bayonet resulted; 250 Germans were taken prisoner, and all the rest were killed or wounded.—Aus.-INi.Z. Cable Assn.

AMERICAN FIELD GUNNERS AT THE GALLOP HOW THE ENEMY'S BIG C4UNS ■ WERE CAPTURED. London, September 2. Tho "Times" correspondent at the American Headquarters states that a picturesque feature of the fighting at Juvigny was the galloping up of a largo force, of American artillery in the° nick of time to prevont the Germans saving their heaviest guns. _ It was a fine example of rapid fighting. Supplementing the pushing in advance of scores of machine-gunners, who swept the fugitives with deadly effect, the artillery laid down a triple, barrage covering wide strotehes of the fields, woods and well-wired trenches *on which'the enemy especially relied. The infantry following tho barrage captured the guns, nnd took 1000 prisoners. French tanks smartly assisted in cleaning up tho outlying machine-gun nests. The Germans retreated beyond Terny, with the Americans at their heels.— "The Times."

"THE BRAVEST MAW I EVER SAW", TRIBUTE TO A NEW ZEALAND OFFICER, London, September 2. 2nd Lieut.-Coloncl Cecil Humphries died of wounds received while in command of a battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, during a heavy. counterattack. He enlisted in August, 1914, and immediately went to France as a private, and won the D.0.M., and a Bar, and tho Military Cross. His Brigadier says: "Ho was without exception the bravest man.l ever saw. Lioutonant-Colonel Humphrios was sin old New Zealand footballer— Aus.-I\. L. Cable Assn. TROOPS HARVESTCAPTURED CROPS London, September 2. Mr. Perry Itabinsun states Uiat troops have harvested tho ■Germans crops in tho recaptured territories.—' .1 he Times."