How the Surprise came.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 10 August 1918, Page 3

How the Surprise came.

Gf 17NS, TANKS AND AEIIOP LANES. Received this day, noon. London, August 9. Mr Percival Phillips writes: Thanks to the almost, ceaseless 1 . Allied- artillerying- the enemy for the most part has been unable to develop any formidable system of defence such as we had to overcome on the Somnie in 1916 and in Flanders in 1918. The consciousness of this weakness was probably responsible for tho recent withdrawals.

The preliminary bombardment consisted of three minutes of whirlwind lire on the front position. Then the field guns and f trench mortars began to lengthen out their creeping barrage whilst the heavies continued to pound I away at spots likely to prove troublesome. Hundreds of tanks advanced with the infantry waves, many crossing the Avre with gratifying case. A large number of low flying aeroplanes when the light broadened sufficiently, shedding a terrible hail, of bpmbs and machine gun fire. It was so hazy when the advance began that the gun flashes were often invisible fifty yards distant. It was just the weather for a surprise. ... The advance was luiiformly rapid everywhere except at Morlancourt where the enemy's positions were well fortified. Fighting I there was continuous throughout the morning. Below the Somme the men literally vanished into the fog of war. It is difficult. 1«o piece together anything like a connected narrative because the fighting rolls away over a wide sweep of country and it becomes impossible to follow, but prisoners arc*, coming in in shoals. The trim condition of niyimy of them gives indication tliat they have been over run surrendering without a fight.

(GERMANS CAN'T HOLD MONTDIDIER. Received 1 his day, 9.30 a.m. . New York, August 9. French military opinion is satisfied that tlie_ Germans must evacuate Montdidier. CANADIANS CAPTURE I3EAUTORT. Received this day, 10-40 a.m. London, August 9. The Australians are fighting north, of the Somme. ® The Canadians have captured Beaufort. p SLAY ARMY ¥ROM AMERICA f Received this day, 10.45 a.m. I Washington, August 9. j The War Department aitnouu- ' ccs thte completion of plans for th ( » ..organisation of a. Slavic Legion for (lie battle front. It will coni- ! prise' Czeclto-Slovaks, Jugo-Slavs, j Ruthenians and other Slavs living in America. j Mr Baker (War Secretary) announces that a . Japanese ranking ! officer commands tfio JapaneseAmerican Siberian expedition.