WEST FRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, 16 September 1916, Page 5

WEST FRONT

THIRD GERMAN LINE

PENETRATED BY THE BRITISH. AN AMERICAN REPORT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec . Sept. 16. 10.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 15. A report received by Portland (Oregon) states that the British smashed the German third line, captured Flers, a mile and a-half north-west of Ginchy, captured Bordeaux Woods, and are advancing against Morval, threatening to surround- Cbmbles.

IMPORTANT BRITISH ADVANCE

THOUSAND YARDS OF TRENCHES CAPTURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. > (Rec. Sept. 16. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. Sir Douglas Haig reports that last night we captured a thousand yards of trenches south-east of Thiepval. Vve attacked in the morning on a six-mile front from Bouleaux Wood northward of the Albert-Bapaume road, and advanced in some places two and three thousand yards. We are using a- new type of heavy armoured car. Our captures south-east of Thiepval include Sk strongly defended locality known as Wunder Yverk. Our morning attack has already ob_Jained considerable successes, and continues to progress satisfactorily, taking prisoner large numbers. During this attack much air fighting has occurred. Our aeroplanes co-operat-ed with the advancing infantry, flying at a close height and firing upon the enemy troops. They successfully- bombed the enemy headquarters and also the railway station at Bapaume. destroying a train and damaging much railway stock.

THE SPIRIT OF VICTORY

GREAT BRITISH ASSAULT.

(Rec. Sept. 16, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14

The Daily Chronicle's Headquarters correspondent says to-day the British in a great assault broke through the enemy's third line. It is reported that Flers is captured and that the infantry are advancing in the direction of Morval. Our left is now on the outskirts of Martinpuich, thence towards the right it has advanced on the whole line, encircling High Wood and occupying the main part of Bouleaux Wood. The men are filled with the spirit of victory, and in* several parts the enemyis fleeing "back to the next line of trenches. Prisoners are coming in fast. There are five hundred already.

BRITISH HOLD ON THE SOMME

AME&IO AN" CORRESPOND EM'S VIEWS {Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) {Rec. Sep*. 16, 9.15 a.m.)* NEW YORK, Serit. 15. The New York World's correspondent on the British Front on the Somme cables that despite steady advance, the British, command does' not look like a cyuick termination of tlhe war. The British are determined' to carry the war to German soii. The Sorn/tne reanforcemenrts are literally .thick fa-om the battle-front to tine sea. Germany has two million troops in France, of' which 700,000 are against ithte British. The Allied armies are making steady headway. Brita/on's arniv is of splendid material. At least two onfilliHon; mew could be thrown against the Germans at one point, without touching the reserves at Home. At £he Tpanestent rate of iosses Britain' could fight !tforo<ugh next summer without new troops, buit if the present means continue Germany by then -will be driven crat of Prance.

LA PRIEZ FARM CAPTURED

COMBLES ISOLATED. (Reuter's Telegrams.) PARIS, Sept, 15The French captured La Priez farm by assault, and extended, the position before Combles. There have been isolated combats north and' south, of Bouchavesnes. all out gains being integrally maintained. Progress has been, made east of Bel-loy-en-San>terr.e, south, of the Somme. When.' the French captured' La Priez farm! they found that it resembled the famous Labyrinth in the complexity of its defences. It •mas pirotecttd by an unusual number of Blockhouses and other armoured cement works, and great numbers of machine guns. It thus formed an advance work defending Com'bles, which is now- isolated. Fricourt in; similar circumstances fell witfhin 24 hours'Monfc St. Quenti™ is only 350 feet •high, but it is protected by three nvers, •the Tortille on the north, the Somme on the west-, and' the Cologne on the South. Thus there is only a stogie corridor eastward where it cam receive a supply of shells, and (the French artillery has •practically closed this corridor.

FURTHER FRENCH ADVANCE

.GROUP OF TRENCHES TAKEN. (Rec. Sept. 16. 12.20 p.m,) LONDON', Sept. 15. A French communique says : —North of the Somime in the evening our lively attack took by assault a group of trenches southward 1 of Rancourfc, advanced' elements reaching the outskirts of the villago. ; The' .X3ermans renewed night attacks eastward of Glery. Thev suffered a riiiiittiilifMHHiliHifetfttiiiiifeili

STRIKING GERMAN" ADMISSION. (Rec. Sept. 16, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. A semi-official message to the North German Gazette makes the following striking admission : —By the occupation of Bouchavesnes the French gained an advantage which cannot be denied. Only the great superiority an numbers and the unprecedented expenditure of ammunition induced the German commander to to withdraw his forces to a ipos tion in the rear which is perhaps advantageous.

VERDUN

MESSAGE FROM KING GEORGE. 'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Sept. 14. M. Poincare, in a telegram to the King, announces that he handed to the city his Majesty's .Military Gross in the presence of the troops. The army were proud to receive eo high a token of esteem. The King, in reply, said', "It is a real pleasure to award the Gross to the heroic city of Verdun and to bear testimony to my profound admiration and that of my whole country at the military achievements of France's victorious army and Verdun's patriotic valour."