In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 51, 27 September 1916, Page 5

In the West

COMBLES CAPTURED. I. OT).! • j’itVs <j)V) M BRITISH OVERCOME RESISTANCE. ' Press Association—Copyright, Austinlian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 8.50 a.in.) London, September 26. ; General Haig reports having entered Cornbles after overcoming every resistance}.

J’.mj ..iU :;i -v nn ALLIES ivIOVE EAST.

BRITISH CAPTURE STRONG . POSITIONS. jggfinrf Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . rrr'ornimv'L; London, September 26. General, Si?. Douglas Haig reports: We, to-day; * were everywhere successful. iWe: stormed positions on a six mile front between Cornbles and Martinpuich to a depth of more than a mile and captured the strongly fortfied villages of Morval and Le.s Boeufs, practically severing the communications of Cornbles. The enemy’s losses were heavy.

Morval stands on the heights northwards of Cornbles, w and with subterranean quarries, trenches and wire entanglements constituted a formidable fortress.

The possession of Morval and Les Boeufs if of considerable military importance.

Many prisoners, machine-guns, and other material were taken. Our losses in relation to the results heretofore have been comparatively small.

Six enemy aeroplanes were destroyed,'on Sunday, while three were downed in a damaged condition. Three of ours are missing. SUCCESSFUL FRENCH OFFENSIVE. EXTENDING POSITIONS EASTWARD. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Paris, September 26. A French communique states: The infantry, assuming the offensive towards noon, attacked simultaneously the position between Corabies and Rancourt and the defences accumulated between Rancourt and the Somme. We carried our lines north-eastward of Combles to the southern outskirts of Frezicourt, and conquered the powerfully organised ground from Frezicourt to Hill MB. Wo extended our positions eastward of the Beth uno road to a depth of a kilometre from Combles Road to • Bouchayesncs. Wo carried by assault the height north-east ward of the lat : ter and reached Hill 1 south-east-ward. Wo carried further south several trench systems near the northern canal from Befhnne Road to the Somme. j Our aeroplanes dropped 150 bombs

on the railway stations at Bam, Hornbloux, and Manacourt, and' on the aviation ground at Vraignos.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ? !i

GUNS CONTINUALLY BELCH

FORTH PROJECTILES.

Press Association. -Copyright, Austra-

lian and N.Z. Cable Association

Paris, September 26

What, is going to happen on the Somme front cannot be foretold jjr actly foreseen. For seventy-two Muirs there has been a bombardment

of stupendous intensity, which is smashing up the German linos.

French and British guns of .all calibres are belching forth thousands ol tons of projectiles. The, earth tremors resemble earthquakes. Previous artillery preparations in Picardy and at Verdun; wore meted child’s play compared ' with what is now taking place on the, Somme. Aviators are assisting by dropping hundreds of bombs on points of strategic importance. A great number of enemy ammunition depots have been blown up and stations burnt.

OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION.

ENEMY LOSSES SEVERE.

BRITISH LINE MOVES EAST.

The High Commissioner reports: London, September 26 (2.55 p.m.)

The British official report states: Combles has been entered, the enemy’s resistance having been overcome there. The enemy’s losses were severe. Yesterday’s capture accounted lor fifteen hundred prisoners and much war material. More prisoners are arriving. A strong redoubt between Los P.oeufs and Guerdecourt was captured, the garrison being taken prisoners. ASSISTANCE FROM THE FRENCH. COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. London, September 26, (6.30 p.m.)

The French official report states: — We reached the borders of Fregicourt, having, taken the village at night. We penetrated Com files cemetery, reaching the borders ol the village, one detachment establishing itself m a trench to the south-west, and making prisoners of a German company. The German counter-attacks on our new trenches between Bethune Bead and the Somme were repulsed. We made prisoners of 800.