THE WAR.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 March 1917, Page 3

THE WAR.

MONDAY.

British near Bapaume — Zeppelin Loat In Belgium — Reported Capture of Submarines.

The British have made further progress on the Ancre front, particularly north of Warlen-court-Eaucourt and north-west of Puisieux. Counter-attacks on advanced British positions were repulsed. The British line has reached Achiet-le-Petit, four miles north-west of Bapaume. The German trenches are in bad condition, and were apparently intended for only temporary occupation.

The Turkish army which was driven from Kut-el-Amara is still in confused retreat, half-way to Bagdad. The British have captured 7000 prisoners since December..

Belgian reports state that during speed trials at Ghent a new Zeppelin exploded and the crew were incinerated.

An American correspondent who claims to have information from the British Admiralty states that during the first fortnight of February the British captured 25 submarines. TUESDAY British Line Extended—South of Some — Salient —Further Gain on the Ancre—German Withdrawal Continues. The British front in France has been extended to Roye, 20 miles south and west of Peronne. The British are now therefore responsible for the whole of the Somme battlefield and for a portion of the line south of the salient created by the FrancoBritish offensive. Further gains on the Ancre and Somme fronts are reported. The British have advanced 1200 yards on a front of two miles north-west of Bapaume, and carried trenches near Bouchavesnes, between Combles and Peronne. Mr Phillip Gibbs says the Germans are holding Bapaume as a pivot while their troops swing back. There has been brisk fighting on the Italian sector of the Balkan front. It is reported that the Chinese Government has decided, subject to the approval of Parliament, to break off relations with Germany and subsequently to declare war. WEDNESDAY Tho Ancre Retreat—End of the First Phase — Enemy on Hijh Ground—German Attack north of Verdim, The first phase of the Ancre retreat is at an end, the Germans having reached, a line of high ground north of Qommeqourt and Thilloy, Fires behind the enemy's lines are taken to indicate that the second phase is coming. The British are making progress in the St. Pierre Vaast Wood, east of Combles. This wood was believed by the Germans to be impregnable.

After an inten.se tjomjbardrnent the Qerm,an,s ri^ade a violent attack on a-two-.rn.ile frqnt on the right hank qf the ftfeuse, north of Verdun. Repeated assaults ■v^ere repulsed with. lo.ss.

A brilliant Italian a..ttack in the Trentinq gaii\e4 a strqn.g pqs^tiqn qn a height qf

The President of China has disapproved of the decision of the Cabinet to break off relations with Germany, and the Premier has in consequence resigned. THURSDAY Russia Concentrating — Germans Fear Offensive — Snow on the Battlefields—British Pressure on Somme Front. * ' The Tageblatt, one qf most important of- the.' Berlin newspapers, states that the Russians are concentrating great numbers of guns and grea^t a^antit^s of munitions. ' $ expresses the opinion that a\\ the Russian armies will shqrtjy open 9k simultaneous offensive," and that the Austrians and Germans will be very sorely tried.

Snow has fallen on the European battlefields. It is preventing operations on the eastern front, and is delaying movement on the Ancre. ITjeiien liewsl--papei-s deh'^f^iiat "we' 'German retreat is voluntary.' They say the Germans have been forced from their position^ b,^ vaen and gunq ; • " The B/itish are putting fei'ea^ sure on the en.Qrqy <x\ ya,riqu,s" important point's &n the 'Somrae froi}fe, The Russians are advancing in Persia and the Caucasus theatre. British naval airmen bombed blast furnaces near the Belgian coast, and the French attacked military points in Freiburg a,m\ Keith, both toy^s iv^ ' haden,' ; GjeiUijariy,' ' ' " ''