REUTER'S REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1918, Page 3

REUTER'S REPORT.

DEGREE OF CONFUSION. (rEB PRF.9B ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] j Reuter’s Telegrams > (■Received This Oav at- U 20. -si.ro 1 LONDON, August 26. •Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters states tho degree of confusion behind the retreating enemy is incredible. Reinforcements are hurrying up on the stop gap principal indicating that the Germans are desperately pressed, or they would not thus break up their reserves. -To-day’s advance, has been in the nature of a great sweep from Bray to the north of Bapaume. It is estimated that since 21st of August twenty thousand have been prisonered by tho British. ' Since July 15th, the Allied total has reached one hundred thousand. It I is reported that Guards outposts have ] reached tho fringe of Bullecourt and that we have captured Tlighwood, Eaueourt 1’ Abbaye and are advancing upon Longueval. New Zealanders, with tanks helping, had a stiff fight clearing out the enemy from Loupart Wood, dominating Bapaume, but eventually they prisonered over four hundred. A significant fact in the present disorganisation of the enemy is that thero is practically no counter attacking. To-day, stubborn resistance occurred at various points, but when this was broken in, it nowhere recurred with an increase of strength. AN AMAZTNG SCENE. (Received This ’'Gv et 1!.2h a m.) LONDON, Aug 26. Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters writing last evening, says wo have reached the most dramatic

era of the war, yet despite our successes, we ought at present to temper optimism with caution. Since yesterday morning tho enemy has retreated over a considerable'zone of the Soinme battlefield. In some places groups of Germans are wandering about, seeking an opportunity to surrender ,and the degree of enemy demoralisation in certain places, is a greater factor in tho western situation. Yesterdav the enemy cracked up in the neighbour bood of Thiepvnl Ridge, but we roust prepare for recovery on a strong line of resistance. The battlefield scene was amazing.