IN THE WESTERN FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1918, Page 3

IN THE WESTERN FRONT

U'EB PBEBS ASSOCIATION. —COPTRIaHT.] PROGRESS OF OPERATIONS. [••reutkr’s” TELEGRAM.] (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) LONDON, August 27. Router's correspondent at’ British Headquarters states until Sunday night it was estimated the enemy had been forced to use at least twenty divisions, between Scarpe and Aisne since August Bth. Two thousand prisoners and some guns were captured as a result of yesterday's extension of the bnttlefront to the northward by an attack behind Arras. Our progress is excellent. Considering the difficulties of the ground the casualties were of the lightest. A few tanks cooperated but- perhaps it partook more of the character of an infantry battle than any in the recent fighting. ;

Northward of the Scarpo w? mcrelj adjusted our flank. In the course ol this operation the Highlanders occupied the famous Rocux chemical works. The enemy has withdrawn into the wooded country eastward of Monchy where they are stiffening their resistance in favourable defensive country especially in Bois Dusart and Gigjain Wood. Meanwhile, they are now well eastward of the Suzannc-Cappy line, while northward of the river they entered Vaux Wood. The enemy is still in Thilloys and is reported- to' be in considerable strength east of Bapaume and along the Ombrai road. It is understood that at 4.45. this morning some Britishers attacked near the Somme. Details aro at present unavailable.

CAPTURE NEAR ROYE. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received Tins Dav at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 27. Reuter’s correspondent at French Headquarters, writes. —General Debeny attacked at 5.45 this morning Frosnov-les-Rove, the capture of which is announced in a French communique. The attack on the village which covers Roye from the north, was preceded by heavy artillerying. The village was strongly defended a’nd the Germans desperately resisted. Furious street fighting with bayonets and grenades ensued. The French repulsed several violent counter-attacks. I The capture of St. Mat'd was apparently the result of a brilliant little operation, the result of which is a considerable improvement in our positions round Roye. f

THE 15-INCH GUN. (Received This Dav at 12.25. n-- ' ! LONDON, Aug. 27. J Mr. Gilmour * says the fifteen inch gun among the Australian spoils, is a costly weapon with immense steel emplacements on the top of concrete. It liad its own electric power plant in the vicinity, but the gun barrel is crack ed for its entire length, apparently by a premature burst. It had not been used for some time. i

, FRENCH PROGRESS. rAUSTRALIAN <fe N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & RIWTKR.] (Received This Dav at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 27. A 4.30 p.m French communique states south of the Avre this morning w© increased our progress in the region of St. Mard after repelling several attacks. During yesterday we prisonered 1100 including thirty-six officers. Retween the Oise and the Aisne, the Germain counter attacks west of Chavigny failed. We advanced our line, twelve Hundred, metres east of Bagneaux. There was lively artillerying in the night-time between the Ailette and Aisne.