In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 10, 10 August 1916, Page 5

In the West

PERONNE FIRED. EFFECT OF FRENCH ARTILLERY. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 12.35 p.m.) Amsterdam, August 9. German newspapers state that the French bombardment fired Pennine. The buildings destroyed include the library, museum, and tin*- famous pic-ture-gallery containing paintings by English and French masters.

THE DEPORTED FRENCH. REPLY OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT. P>-?.bh Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association'. (Received 11. do a.m.) Home, August !). Cardinal Hartmann, replying to the Pope on behalf of the German Government, said that owing to the difficulty of feeding the dense populations of the towns of France, a number of inhabitants had been deported for agricultural work, and would he repatriated when the agricultural campaign I was finished. They were well treated, , and would bo allowed to communicate ‘with their families. ! ! ON THE BRITISH FRONT. I i Tic High Commissioner reports: —• London, August 9 <2. 15 p.m.) In the vicinity of Guillemont, the position is unchanged since yesterday. Northwards of Po/.ieres, we further

advanced bombing the enemy’s trenches, making prisoners of 25. On the Vpies salient between Rcih waarde ami the Lake Yyser canal, the enemy bombarded our trenches heavily at

night from ten o’clock to midnight, discharging gas' in part: of the

trout. The gas had little effect in some partial attacks and did not enter our lines.

AT THE SOMME AMD VERDUN.

The High Commissioner reports:— London, August 9 (3.5 p.m.)

.North of the Somme during the night, there wore violent counter-at-tacks against the positions wo took during-the two clays northwards of Hein Wood, but the attempts were broken by our lire. The Germans suf.’oied great losses, all attacks being repulsed, except once where the enemy retook a trench. A French attack later secured the lost ground. Active progress was made by grenade-fight-ing and trenches of the enemy were occupied. Between Hern Wood and the river, the Germans bombarded with heavy shells the new positions which we were consolidating, in the regions of Chaulnes, artillery fighting was continued intensely, notably between Lihons and the Chaulnes railway, where the Germans attacked, penetrating one advanced point, hut our counter-attacks with bayonets .’in mediately ejected them. On the right of the Meuse, the fighting round the Thiaumont Worn lasted for part of the night, and he enemy again entered the work alter numerous repulses. Wo are on the immediate border of the work, which our artillery are energetically bombarding. At the village;of Floury, we progressed with grenades. An enemy attack on Yanx and Chnpitre Wood was repulsed after a lively combat.

BRITISH PROGRESS REPORT. Proas Association—Copyright, Austialian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.55 a.m.) London, August !). General Haig reports no change at Guillomont. Our bombers advanced at Pozeries. The \ Germans discharged gas on the broad Ypres salient, followed by attacks which did not penetrate our lines. A FRENCH COMMUNIQUE . (Received 11.55 a.m.) Paris; August 9. A communique states: Violent German counter-attacks northward of Hem Wood were thrown back with heavy losses, except at one point where they reoccupied trenches, but we retook the major part. The Germans again entered the Thiaumont work, and we remain on the immediate outskirts. Our Grenadiers progressed at Fleury) Aviators crossed the Vosges at Noire forest and flew 350 kilometres, and bombed the powder factory at Rottmeil, where there were great fires and many explosions.

ALLIES READY TO ADVANCE.

48-HOURS’ BOMBARDMENT,

Paris, August 9

The Allied artillery made an exceptionally severe bombardment, lasting 48 hours, on a 45-kilometre front between Thiepval and the outskirts of Royo. The first, second, and even third German lines wore deluged with metal and many German batteries were knocked out. It shows that the Allies have consolidated their recent gains and are ready for the next forward sweep. The Germans are manifestly greatly perturbed at the prospect of a renewal of the offensive. Their aviators are endeavoring, to locate our concentrations and the region of our probable attack. The Allies’ activity on the Somme, mentioned in the latest communiques, is regarded as great local movements preluding more serious movements. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. London, August 8. Statements made by German prisoners show that the troops in the trenches have one meatless day weekly, while those behind have up to four meatless days a week. r lhe meat ration since the war has been reduced about one-half. Captured army orders frequently allude to the Stringency of the British blockade, especially regarding the scarcity of fodder. The men are warned that unless they keep within the fodder allowance it will be impossible to hold out to the end. The documents, as a whole, show that there is increasing difficulty in feeding the German army and sustaining the energy wherewith the commanders are trying to sta\e off the crisis.

An Australian officer found in a dug-out two German officers who had been doped and wore dead, preferring suicide to capture. A medical examination of the dope found m numerous dug-outs, disclosed the mixture as that of opium and ether. The French War Minister, replying to Mr Lloyd George’s war anniversary message, said that the Allies were attacking the enemy in perfect unity, and at the moment selected. The enemv would soon see his dream of dominion vanish, and would have to fall hack on every front.