The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 September 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY. Pronounced French Success Trenches Carried by AssaultProgress in the Balkans —Hungarian Retirement. The brilliant attack by the French on the Bapaume^Peronne road on Tuesday was continued on Wednesday, when the line was carried further forward opposite Oombles. Th-i powerfully - defended village of Boucqavesnes has been captured, and another stronghold further south is also in French hands. A total of 54.000 prisoners, 2^o guns, and 647 machine-guns have been captured by the French and British on the Somme and at Verdun since the offensive began. The retirement of the enemy before the Roumanians in Southern Transylvania is reported. SATURDAY. Combles Isolated—Strong Advance Work Captured—Steady Advance of Roumanians —Russian Fleet at Constanza —Bulgarians Re-occupy Kavala. The brilliant offensive of the French in the Somme district has resulted in the capture of Priez Farm a strongly-defended Grerman position which forms the advance work deending Oombles, which is now isolated. Bulgarian telegrams received in Athens state that the Eussian Black Sea Fleet has entered the harbour of Constanz, on the coast of the Dodrudja, and that preparations are being made for a joint Russo* Roumanian attack on Bulgaria. The Greek port of Kavala has been nas been re-occupied by the Bulgarians. The garrison surrendered on a threat being made that the town would be bombarded,

The political deadlock in France continues. M. Dimitrakopoulo, Leader of the Progressives, after asking for time to consult the Entente diplomatic corps, declined to form a Cabinet. There is a possibility of a Coalition Government being formed. MONDAY, British Advance—Brilliant Sweep Farward — Three Villages Captured — Simultaneous French Progress — Servian and Italian Successes. A victorious advance of the British forces on the Somrne front is described as being of a sweeping nature. It is reported that the • third German line has been broken. The villages of Courcelette, Martinpuich. and Flers have been captured, and ComWes is being gradually surrounded by the British and French forces Thirteen enemy aeroplanes were destroyed and nine damaged. Ihe German losses in dead and wounded, as well as in prisoners, have been very heavy in the recent fighting on. the Soname. It is stated that 13 trainloads of dead and wounded were taken to Germany last Thursday. The French troops have also achieved several further successes, capturing a number of enemy positions. -The trenches that have been taken cover a front of nearly a inilp. The Servians have been prosecuting a vigorons and successful offensive against the Bulgarians. The Italians have successfully stormed Austrian positions near Grorz, and have broicen through a stronglyfortified position constituting the Austrian chief line of defence. TUESDAY French Advance—Progress South of Somme—British Maintain all Gains—Russo-Roumanian Retirement.

The principal attacks in the Somme region on Sunday were made by the French south of the river. Further important successes were gained, the capture of two villages, Vermandovillers and Berney, being completed by brilliant assaults, while the new front was established on the Vermans dovillers-Deniecouvt-Berny line. A feature of Sir Douglas Haig's report is a brief narrative of an encounter in the open between a brigade of German infantry and two British battalions. _ The enemy force was intercepted on its way to attack High Wood, near Longueval, and was completely defeated. Counterattacks directed at the newly-won positions have all been repulsed.

A correspondent states that the Russians and the Roumanians are retiring in the Dobrudja to strong positions about 10 miles south of the Constanza-Bucharest railway. The armoared oars used for the first time to support the British attacks on Friday created coqsterna-. tion among the Gbrinaus. Correspondents describe retn ukat-lo feats by the new weapon, w'tich has proved most effectiv - in breaking down all obstacles

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

WEDNESDAY The Somme Offensive — New Zealanders Engaged — Another Fortified Work Taken-Advance into Servia. New Zealand troops took part in the British attacks on the Somme front on Friday. The worx of the force is the subject of special mention by Sir Douglas Haig. He states that aft9r gaming all their objectives, the New Zealanders withstood especially heavy counter-attacks, severely punishing the enemy, and even made progress. The latest report states that the British captured a strongly-fortified work near Guinchy, and advanced 1000 yds on a mile front The village of Deniecourt, south of the Somme, has now been captured by the French. A brilliaut success has been obtained by the French and the Servians resulting in the capture of Fiorina, in Western Macedonia. The rapid development of a turning movement drove the Bulgarians in disorder from their positions. The victorious Servians have re entered their native land, and thoir advance-guards are within nine miles of Monastir, the capture of which ia imminent. THURSDAY Advance in Balkans—Allies nearing Monastir—Desperate Battle near Halicz — Italian Success on the Isonzo. The allied armies are withiu sis miles of Monastir. The Bulgarians are evacuating the town and aband> oning gun.? and munitions. The Servians are marching on Resna, 20 miles west of Monastir.

The Italians who have marched through Albania from Valona are attacKing the Bulgarians' right flank in Macedonia.

A general attack was made by the Russians in the Halicz region, in Galicia and the latest reports state that a desperate battle is still being raging-

As a result of four days' fighting in the Isonzo last week, the Italians captured two-thirds of the enemy's front line. Enormous losses were sustained by the Austrians.

The German losses on the Somme have been estimated at 510,000. This figure is based on Sir Douglas Haig's report that 29 divisions have been withdrawn from the British front, Bad weather has hampered operations on the Somme front. The British easily repulsed a local attack near Martinpuich. An official announcement has b^eh made in Athens that the allies will no longer seek the cv operation of Gieece.

The German headquarters'-, have been removed to the eastern front. This, it is believed, indicates that Hindenburg intends to concentrate his forces against the Russians.