HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES

Nelson Evening Mail, 20 September 1916, Page 5

HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES

ESTIMATED AT EIGHT TO ONE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! LONDON, Sept. 19. Mr Philip Gibbs writes that the Germans made a- couple of attempts against our defences round Martinpuich and Courcelette. but our long-range guns prevented their coming within rifle range. The enemy's losses in the recent battles were very Frightful. One of our staff officers estimates them at eight to one. Their dead lie solid on certain parts of the battle front across the ridge. and when the wind blows there comes the dreadful miasma of corruption. The whole ridge to Delville Wood and Ginchy is one great graveyard. The enemy's artillery is still very strong, but some of their batteries are perilously situated from our new positions, and there are indications that they are shifting them backward. There is evidence that the enemy had prepared for a great counter-attack at

the time ours was launched. Mouquet Farm was captured by a dash across a short strip of No Man's Land. The enemy retreated within a tunnelled dugout having at least two entrances, and maintained a fire through loopholes after they were surrounded. We blew in the southern entrance while guarding the other outlet. When our men rushed, the Wonderwork they found that the whirlwind 'bombardment had converted it into a chaos of earth and concrete. Five officers and 116 men were still alive, and they surrendered instantly. Our attack reveals temporary demoralisation among the enemy, but there is still much fighting before Germany's weakness reaches the breaking point.