ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1918, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT

(PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPVBIaHT.J FRENCH REPORT. (Received This Dny at 1.20 a.ni.) LONDGSN, August 25. A 2.30. a.m. French communique states between the Ailette and Aisne 0c progressed south of Coroyauko and took prisoners. Americans west of Fismes carried the line to the KoissonsRheims road on a front of eight hundied metres. It was quiet elsewhei* Nine German aeroplanes were downed on the 23rd. FRENCH OPERATIONS. f AUSTRALIAN & 'V.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.] LONDON, Aug. 25. A French Communique states the enemy coup de main north of Roye, only resulted in our prisoning twenty three. There was a fairly violent bombardment in the region of Bcauvraignes. Between Ailette and Aisne we increased our advance, east of Bagneux on the right bank of the i\Jeuse, and our Wocvre patrols brought back prisoners including Austro-Hungarians. FRENCH OFFICIAL-. LONDON, Aug 25. ! French official.—We crossed the Do- j vello in the region of Fraicourt. Between Ailette and Aisne our progress ' • continued east of Bazneux and west of Crecyaunix. , ' •

APPROACHING BAI’AUME. BRITISH PRISONERS TOTAL 1800. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOoCATiOX <3C REUTER. J (Received This Day at 0.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 25. General Haig reports our at tack north ward of the Somme continues. We hold the road from Albert to Bapauine, as far as the outskirts of Lc Sars. We have captured Contalmnison, Wariencourt, and Eaucourt. Northward of Bapaume we have taken Sapignes, and Beliaignies. The number of prisoners taken by the Third and Fourth Armies on the battlefront since the morning of August 21st now exceeds 18,000. A counter attack against our posi- . tion recently gained northward of Bailleul broke down.

APPROACHING BAP A UMF. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.^'i.’; LONDON, Aug '24. The Australian Press Association learns that the British ’Third and Fourth Armies are pressing their attacks, south of the Somme. The army.advanced four to 4.J miles at the furthest point on a thirteen miles front and it is now fighting on the slopes of Thiepval Ridge, along the eastern AnAre. Our patrols entered 'Miraumount which is now probably complete ly in our hands. The importance of the advance is that wc have been able to get along very quickly towards Bapaume which is a' very important road junction. We are now two miles from Ba'paume. Our -advance north Und south or Tlriepval seriously threaten the German positions on the Old Somme battlefield. V’

' BRITISH PROGRESS. (Received 'fins Dav at- i 1.25. a.in.) LONDON, Aug. 24. The Australian Press report continues.—Undoubtedly before our attacks were launched, the enemy contemplated a* big retirement, but he intended taking his time and we hustled him, thus preventing him from carrying out his plans. This is proved by tho number of guns we have captured and tlie very large number of prisoners taken. The British Third and Fourth Armies, during the’ last three days, have taken a total of fourteen thousand prisoners. T'iid Fourth ~Army ’has captured a large slice of ground on the eastern bank of the river opposite Albert.

The line now runs right round Albert just west of Becordel, and Beeourt, and thence turns southward to the western outkirts of Brav. Although Chaulnes is not yet in our hands, its railway junction is useless to the enemy. The only line now at his disposal is that from Chaulnes to Ham, which can onl>* be used partially, as Chaulnes Junction is under our fire.

OFFICIAL NEWS. WELLINGTON, This Day The Higli Commission reports from London, 24th, at 11. 10 p.m. General Haig says the Australians captured Bra'y-sur-Somme. The troops are once more astride Thiepval Ridge north of Miraumont. The Now Zealanders in. the centre attack, advancing irresistibly carried Louport, taking 400 prisoners. Pressing forward they captured Orevillers and Bieffillers, and reached Avesnesles-Bapaume. All ranks are pressing forward.

. GERMAN ADMISSIONS. (Received This Day »it 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, August 215. Wifeless German official —Our ad- i vnnced troops, in accordance with orders, withdrew from the fighting on Croi- J selles, St! Leger front. Renewed enemy as [ snults gained ground in the direction of Mory. The enemy pressed back our lines towards Behaignes Pys, where they were brought to a standstill by our reserves. Four attacks on both sides of Miranmont were shattered. The enemy gained a footing on the east bank, of the Anere eastwards of Hamel. His attacks from Albert broke down. Eastward of the town, for the purpose of joining our line near Pys, we removed our lines from Miranmont to eastward of Albert from the Anere. GERMAN REPORT. German evening official —English attacks southeast of Arras and against Bapaumo failed. The enemy gained ground east of Thiepval. Repeated English attacks southeast of Arras and against Bapaumo failed. The enemy gained ground east of Thiepval. Repeated English attacks from eastward of Albert to the Somme, broke down. French attacks between the Ailette and tho Aisne were repulsed.

BAPAUME CAPTURED LONDON, Aug .25. Bapaume has been captured. NEAR BULLRCOURT. LONDNO .Aug. 25. It is reported that British outposts have reached the fringe of Bullecourt and captured High Wood.

FOCH’S PRAISE. (Received This Day at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. Interviewed by war. correspondents, General Fbeh said: “All goes well. You have been able to observe our operations since July 18th have develop--3 ed well. We shall continue them. , It is impossible to spook too highly I of your troops, I cannot over-praise their bravery and heroism. Despite the terrible heat, fatigue and all* kinds of difficulties they stick to it constantly, and accomplish superbly whatever they bad to do. The British troops were- , splendid. Despite the ■ heat they con- j . tinue to progress. ■ The Americans ar,. i j admirable soldiers. The only fault is ! that I am obligocl to hold them back.” j General Focli concluded by comparing I tint German invasion of France to the | ' tide, which had passed high water mark and was now recoding.

THE GERMAN DEAD. I (Received this-day at, 1.30 p.m.) ! ZURICH August 24. German newspapers since July are unusually full of the ’announcements of killed in action. Most remarkable is the revelation of a large number aged over forty killed in the region of Marne, and eastward of Rheims, and side by side with many younger men figured in these notices, which repeatedly recorded more than three years faithful services. 'Hie fact suggests that Germany utilised in her disastrous offensive many men over forty, with younger, who previously were employed in auxiliary services outside the danger zone.

AUSTRALIAN CAPTURES (Received this day at. 1.30 p.m.) PARIS, Aug. 25. The Australians on Friday prisonerid eight hundred including thirty-two* officers. British guardsmen prisonored the same number during a hand struggle, in which they had all their own way. The expenditure of munitions is unamanageable. There was little if any artillery preparation, but once the infantry are on the go, the German rear and communications were plentb fully watered with shells. The Allied attacks extending from Champagne to the sea, are intended to create a strategic situation equal to all eventualities. Artillery from Roye to Courey is thundering away incessantly. . Innumerable local actions were fought in Lorraine and numerous prisoners brought in.