SITUATION REVIEWED

Nelson Evening Mail, 20 September 1916, Page 5

SITUATION REVIEWED

ANOTHER FRENCH WEDGE. (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) (Rec. Sept. 20, 9.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 19. The New York Times in France states that as a result of Sunday's battle, the French have driven another wedge in the circuit of fortresses defending Peronne. The scene of the battle is between Barleux and Vermandovillers. At the latter village, the fight was so fierce that the Germans died to a man rather than sun-en tier. The French found evidences of the terrible effects of their artillery fire in the wood south-east of Berny and literally had to force a way through heaps of corpses. The Bavarians returned to the charge again and again, but each new company was cut to pieces by the curtain fire which passed over the heads of the French, so close yet harmlessly, but the accuracy of the artillery was'most perfect, and is described as the finest gunnerv ever witnessed. Afte-T the capture cf Bernv, the trench exerted strong pressure on the o-erman line between Berny and Denie-

court, thus preventing the advance of strong rein r'orcements, on which the Germans counted. After crpture a German commander broke his sword in the bitterness of defeat. BAD WEATHER HINDERING OPERATIONS. (Bee Sept. 20, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 19. A French communique states: —Bad weather hinders operations. After the bombardment of our positions westward and eastward of the Souain-Sommerpy road, the Germans made many attacks, notably five against the Russian sector. These we repulsed everywhere with serious losses. We repulsed a coup -de main at Avocourt and two. counter attack at Mort Homme.