BRITISH STILL ADVANHCIHG

Nelson Evening Mail, 25 September 1916, Page 5

BRITISH STILL ADVANHCIHG

FURTHER TRENCHES CAPTURED. SUCCESSFUL AIR RAIDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Sept. 23. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we further advanced south of the Ancre, and captured a strongly fortified system _of trenches east of Oourcelette, oftr line being advanced oni a front of about hal'fa mile. A counter-attack west of Mouquet Form, of great violence, was 'repulsed with heavy losses. Our artillery exploded am ammunition dump east of Betbune. Elsewhere there has 'been a heavy mutual artillery fire and) isolated actions, in which we improved' our positions, and pushed forward detachments in several directions. Sir Douglas Haig reports that we continued to improve our position southward of the Ancre, (pushing detachments into the enemy's advanced 7 trenches. During Friday's bombardment ten enemy gun pits were destroyed and fourteen severely damaged. Five ammunition* pits were exploded l to-day. The artillery caused a, big fire in a village largely used in the transport of supplies.. Fifty aeroplanes successfully raided an imipprtant railway junction, doing much damage, including ihe destruction of two ammunition! trains'. Other successful a-aids were made on railway works and aerodromes.