REUTER'S REPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1918, Page 2

REUTER'S REPORT.

THE PACE SLACKENING. [per press ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, August 26. Reuter’s correspondent at British Headquarters, wiring in the evening, states that the pace of the advance is slackening, owing to increasing resistance, especially towards Bapaume, where a counter attack became heavier along the main points. The weather is boisterous, with heavy rain, and squally, which mitigates progress, the country being so rapidly transformed into mud and pools. •

RIVER SCAR PE REACHED. . ADVANCE GOING WELL. LONDON, August 26. Reuter’s correspondent telegraphing at noon (from British Headquarters states that the morning’s attack eastward of Arras carried our battle flank to the Scarpe at the moment when the eyes of the Germans were nervously turned elsewhere. Consquently the e»>emy was rudely surprised, when m squally, clouded moonlight, dense British waves swept forward after only the briefest aSitillery preparation. Heavy wastage has been caused the last few days in the transfer of reserves in this region towards the Bapaume sector. Themorning’s attack progressed most favourably and at the moment of telegraphing is going well. Comparatively few prisoners have hitherto come back but this conveys no indication regarding the characer of the fighting;

REUTER’S ACCOUNT. (Received This Day. at 12.10. a.r0.l LONDON, Aug. 26. Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters says southward of the Somme, the movement in the past 24 hours has been more restricted, hut is intensely active, especially on the part of the Germans, who failed in numerous' counter-attacks. They were unable to arrest our progress where we were determined to push _ it. By storming Favreuil last evening wo had drawn half a circle round Bapaume the exit from which is now closed save towards Cambiai road. Our airmen report the town is deserted but undetected machine guns may be concealed in the ruins. At least the Germans are denied the use of this important centtre of communication. This morning the Australians appar eut-ly captured Suzanne Cappy and approached within ten miles of Peronno. Welsh troops who penetrated Mamet-z Wood yesterday belonged to the same division who took his place after the fierce fighting in July 1916. The capturo of Miraueourt redoubts was the finest feat to the credit of the East Lancashires. A feature of Sunday’s fighting .of General Mangine’s Army was the German attempt to thrust the French from the height between Juvignev and Crecyaument. French at first yielded 3 little ground, but recovered it in a brilliant counter-attack. The Germans lqtor made other futile attacks and lost heavily, as a result of -French machine-gunning and artillery barrage. The battlefield is covered with German corpses.