SOMME BATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, 22 September 1916, Page 7

SOMME BATTLE

24 SQUARE MILES GAINED. In my despatch of yesterday writes a correspondent i'ranii British Headquarters on July 26, I suggested that the capture of Poziea-es, when complete, would logically bo regarded as concluding the second phase of the Battle of the Sonxme. We arc now well established on the first lino to which our second main push—'that which began on Ju.ly 14—-was directed!.

The ground now won from the enemy in the two thrusts since July 1 is an area with an avcra.ge front of between 9000 and 10,000 years and a depth of something over 7000, or in the neighbourhood oi! 24 .square mi'les. When one undcrsitamlls the extent to which each fract on of a mile was fortified and defended, and the enormous aimount of ipjrcparatk-n which the enemy had put into the endeavour to make the district impregnable, it is a considerable triumph. As an officer said to me to-dny, it is like digging badgers out of holes—wr'.th the .proviso that every 'badger has xnachine-'.gim.s and rifles at. tin- hole s mouth and the approach to each is swept by the fire from a dozen neighbouring earths.

Evidence continues to accumulate that the enemy has concentrated great- quantities of gams and troops to oppose our next, move forward 1 , but I have no knowledge whether that attack will-, like the two proceeding 1 .ones, 'be a direct thruston tho whole front or whether we sha.ll adopt more piecemeal tactics. Nor should I say if X <Ji d. lam sure that it is not our intention to give the enemy much rest. COLONEL'S LUCKY ESCAPE. A.s an! example of tho spirit of our men, it is- a fact that the Commanding Officer of certan troops who had had some terribly hard work to do promised them before they began their last successful attack that if they fought as well a.s .they bad done before they should be rewarded! by—."what do you suppose. —by net. 'being., taken out of the line to rest- . Thev did so well that, to 'the: r joy and pride, the arrangements which hadi been made to relieve them; were cancelled. From another quarter T hear an extraordinarv story of a. Colonel of the Shropshires who charged l a trench at the head —or iit advance —of his :men and was taken prisoner. He was put int ea dnigout and was subsequently released when we took the trench iid earnest, having miraculously escaped! 'being bombed.