In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 29 August 1916, Page 5

In the West

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORTS. 331T1SH PROGRESS CONTINUED. • ['cess Association—Copyright, Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. London, August 23. | General Sir Douglas Haig reports |that bad weather lias hamper'd operations. Wo gained ground west ot Guinchy. There is artillery activity ra both sides. We blew up some mini) stores and exploded mines between Xenve Chnpelle and AnnenLiores. GERMANY’S ALLEGED CHANGE OF TACTICS. PURELY DEFENSIVE ACTION FOR THE FUTURE. Paris, August 28. According to Amsterdam news the Germans are said to be abandoning further important action on the West front, and continuing a purely defensive action, hoping thereby to prolong the war until the enemy is exhausted.

BELGIAN SLAVE RAIDS. Amsterdam, August 27. L’Echo de Beige learns that there are constant night movements of German trains conveying troops to Antwerp and towards the front. It is rumored that the Germans intend to deport Belgians similarly as In northern France. It is reported .hat twelve hundred have already left Ghent. NEW FORM OF STRATEGY. Press Association—Copyright. Published iu “The Times.” London, August 27. A correspondent at headquarters states that an ever-increasing ferocity, is being displayed. The localisation of bombardments illustrates the new form of strategy that has been developed. General Sir Douglas Haig’s formula comprise sudden attacks succeeding upon terrific artillery work.

No bombardments during the war are comparable to the indescribable punishment inflicted on the Gorman positions. Our successive advances at Thiepva! were marked by the horrors of a hurricane. The bombardments increased in their suddenness, and came without warning. It was as if the sky had been suddenly darkened, the earth exploded, and the heavens opened by a hailstorm whereof every stone was a thunderbolt.

The correspondent pays a tribute to the armies’ spirits. The men are full of jesting laughter, and show no sign of staleness or failing. Their confidence has greatly increased in proportion • * The number of officers captured during recent actions suggests the likelihood of a new Gorman regulation that officers are not to save their own lives, but must remain to hold the men from surrendering. Another possibility is that the intensity of the artillery makes escape impossible.

THE FIGHTING AT THIEPVAL. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, A’ugust 27. Mr Philip Gibbs states the Wiltshires and Worcesters deserve every honor. General Sir Douglas Haig bud given the order and the troops advanced splendidly over a great stretch of “No Man’s Land,” and after a great assault sustained a long and fierce bombardment, which was followed by a strong attack by the Prussian Guards. This was probably the German’s big effort to check the advance from the ridge of Thiepval to the high road, and also an endeavor to rescue Thiepval from its impending fate. Our mastery of the air places the German gunners at a great disadvantage. Our positions now are such that the guns are able to cause the heaviest casualties. The morale of the Germans in shell craters and ruins has been badly shaken.

Coming operations involving the fate of Thiepval indicate that it will bo the greatest artillery duel yet seen on the British front. BRAVERY OF THE GUARDS. London, August 28. The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent i„ Paris states that the Guards advanced with great bravery, and charged six times—as often as the ■battered German attack was prepared on a significantly naiiow fiont. Tile Guards’ great thoroughness leaves a more marked contrast between the enemy’s impotence and our steady, thorough, yet difficult progress. bad weather hinders french OPERATIONS. Paris August 28. A communique states that owing to tlu> bad weather there is nothing important to report, VICTORIOUS GRENADIERS. (Received noon.) London, August 23. A French com muni one states: Our Grenadiers easily repulsed many German attempts against positions before Floury.