THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17286, 29 September 1916, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGNS.

The reports from France show that following on the attainment of tho principal objectives in tho week's fighting, tho British have been \>usy improving *ind straightening their new front. Progress of somo importance has been made, notably to the north of Flers—

(he Bcctor on which tho New Zealanders

have been fighting so splendidly—and north-east of Thiepval. The ridge' that stretches from the Ancre to Combles commences north of Thiepval, and tho

British are working north-west from

tho front between Thiepval and Cour’.celetto towards the Ancre. The capture of a strong redoubt begins tho conquest of. the heights marked Hill 153 and 10l on the maps and prepares the way for a descent ou the, village of Grandcourt, an advance that would turn the German position at B’caumontrHaruol, west of the Ancre.

The new movement is therefore full 6? ' possibilities, and presumably it will bo continued as part of the advance from I- .Courcelette along the Bapaumo road, if The British are behind tho enemy’s •old-established lino of defenco, and at-

tacking as they are on a wide front f‘they stand to secure large results at a comparatively small cost, avpiding s, the necessity for frontal attach on

powerful positions. East of Courcolotto tho front has been advanced appreciably during the recent fighting, and to-day’s communique mentions the capture of enemy trenches north ot Flora on a front of two thousand yards. The attackers are now along the road between Eaucourt l’Abhaye and Gueudecourt, less than three miles from Bapaume. Of necessity some little time will bo occupied in consolidating tho new positions and in bringing the guns forward, but the rate of advance may increase if the weather holds good, for tho enemy has clearly been badly shaken during tho last fortriight. Tire French meanwhile have bad little difficulty in beating off German counterattacks east of Bouchavesnes, and north-cast of Rnncorrrt titer have entered the wood of St Pierre Yoast' a considerable patch of timber which, with the Boia cl os Yanx behind it, may prove one of the enemy's strongholds.

The news from tho other theatres is very scanty and what there is of it calls for little comment. The position in Greece has not been clarified, but there is a strong movement now on the part of a military group to take the nation over to the Allies, and the King is said to have boon pressed by high officers to abandon neutrality. The attitudo of tho Government is important because a definite decision in favour of the Entente would place the whole of tho military stores at the disposal of the Allies, and would obviate tho necessity for drawing on France and Britain to supply equipment- for the followers of Venesselos.