GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1918, Page 2

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

HAIG’S REPORT

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.j ' *

LONDON, Aug. 23. General Haig reports that fighting is proceeding on practically the whole front between Lilions and Cojeul river. Mo arc progressing at a number of points and repulsed two attacks during the night in the neighbourhood of Daillescourt farm. Eastward of Beau court we slightly advanced our line eastward of Lebouret, north-west of Ncuf Bergin .and eastward of Outtrestcne. A local hostile attack north-westward of Bailleul broke down before our positions.

BRITISH OPERATIONS

GOOD PROGRESS MADE. LONDON, August 24

Sir Douglas Haig reports that during the day we pressed attacks vigorously on more ■Elian a thirty mile front from Lilions to Mercatel, 'English, Scottish and Australians attacked south of the Somme at 4.35. a.m.

Mo captured Herleville, Chuignes, and Choignelles, and also tlio wood between the villages and between Clioignelles and th e river. During our advance, over two miles wo killed great numbers and imprisoned many. Ten minutes later the English and Scottish Guards attacked on the loft of the Battle-front and stormed Boyolles and Boiry-bocquerelle. M r c captured many. During the remainder of the day we progressed eastward of these villages. Meanwhile on the right and centre of the battlefront tho English and Welsh attacked the positions on the East bank of the Anere from south-east of Albert to tile neighbourhood of Grandeourt gaining ground after heavy fighting. We beat off counter attacks south of Grandcourt. At about eleven in the morning the English attacked on the left and the centre, along the railway. North of Grandecourt wo captured Aohiet lo Grand, Bihoucourt and the ridge overlooking Irles. M r e continued the attack during the afternoon taking several thousand prisoners. During tho day heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy.

PROGRESS OF THE BATTLE, gaining ground steadily. WHOLE FRONT ADVANCING. 1 AUSTRALIAN A: N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTF.R.J (Received This Day, at. 12.10. n.m.l LONDON, Aug. 24. At 11.20 a.m., General Haig reported continuous lighting on the battlefront north ol the Somme since early in the morning. We ar© pressing the enemy hard everywhere, allowing him no respite. We progressed on the whole front, on which we are attacking, despite the arrival of reinforcements. 1

Numbers of prisoners and quantities of material of every description have fallen into our hands. Australians after midnight, attacking along the north hank of the Somme, captured Bray-sur-Somme, securing a number of prisoners. Comtinuing their advance with great skill and initiative they carried the enemy’s positions in this neighbourhood.

On their left, the London and East County troops further progressed at night along the high ground south-easi of Albert, prisonering several hundreds. On the right, centre, the Welsh and North Country troops advanced over the old Somme TRIG battlefield, about La Boisselle, Orvillors, Mouquet Farm, Thiepval, and Graiulecoiirt. Wo captured all these strongly defended localities in the fact of determined resistance, prisonoring over a thousand.

Our troops are again astride of the Thiepval ridge. Advancing eastwards on the left ceni re, the East I,anoash ires wore heavily engaged all day long about Mironmont, where the enemy held oqt with great stubbornness, until the village was gradually outflanked by our advancing columns northwards of tlie village, with the New Zealand division in tlie centre. Tli© attack struck in the direction of Bapaume, and, advancing with irresistablo dash and determination, carried the defences of Loupart Wood. Pressing forward with great gallantry, they captured Grevillers, Biefvillers and reached Avesnes-les-Bapaunie, on the outskirts of Bapaume. On the flank of this attack the English took possession of Yilts and advanced in th© direction of Sapicgness, overcoming strong resistance at Tries and eastward of B’ehricourt.

On the left of the battlefront, th e English and Scottish divisions, and the Guards are fighting on the front of Mory, Croiselles, Neuville Vitasse, and have captured Saint Leger, Henin-sur-Cojeul, and the hills eastward of Lam. er. The captures are not yet estimntable. On the remainder of the front, successful local actions occurred north of the Scarpe. We captured a section of the German front line, north-east of Fampoux, north of La. Basso© canal. We captured the old British line east and north-cast of Givenchy, and progressed into the German positions. We secured all our objectives. Our patrols occupied Neuf Berqvin at night time. A number of German dead were found. -s

We advanced our line during the morning a mile on the front northward of Bailleul. Our artillery crushed enemy counter-attacks.