In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 60, 7 October 1916, Page 5

In the West

, ANCRE ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. (i BRITISH ADVANCE POSITIONS. 1 The High Commissioner reports: j London, October 0. ( A British official report states: — Southwards of the’ Ancre, there 'S considerable artillery activity. Northeast of Eanconrt L’Abbaye we advanced our position. ENEMY ADSVISSSIONS. GERMAN GENERAL’S REPORT. COMPARISON OF THE ARMIES. BRITISH SUPERIORITY. NOTHING ABOUT “CONTEMPTIBLE LITTLE ARMY” NOW ! Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, October 6.

Mr Gibbs, war correspondent, states that a report by‘General von Arnim, commanding tbe Fourth German Corps against the front on the Somme in July has fallen into our hands. It is an analysis in terms ot impartial candour of our qualities, and the weaknesses and failures of his own organisation and leadership. General von Arnim confesses to the utter failure of his war machine, and acknowledges British superiority, and the ever-increasing strain upon the German organisation as the effect of our artillery and the mastery of our flying corps. Demoralisation in the enemy command was admitted as the hitter fruit of experience. General von Arnim says that the British infantry.as ho learnt in the Autumn offensive of 1915, shows great dash in attack to which the great confidence in their overwhelming artillery contributes. The English showed great tenacity in defence, while their artillery registration and lire control, was assisted by well-organised aerial observation. Ho recounts how the far-reaching guns brought the Berman battle headquarters under fire, causing the officers to become panicstricken. The German artillery was much hampered by the steady intensity of the British fire, which also rendered enormously difficult the bringing up of reserves. He confesses to the utter failure of the German counter-attacks, which were without method o.r. weight. The numerical superiority of the enemy’s airmen, and the fact that their machines were better, were disagreeably apparent. They were able to successfully fire on our troops from a low elevation. He admits that the German equipment, ammunition,- and reserves were very faulty. The German machine-guns were too heavy, and there was an insufficient supply of grenades.

General von Arnim dock inot suggest that the food supply of the army was insufficient, but that it was difficult to get food to the front trenches. All other departments of the German organisation were found wanting, and the war machine had been thrown out of gear by the ferocity and continuance of the British assault.

FRENCH RAID TRENCHES. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY AT • VERDUN. i WEATHER STILL THICK, Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 1.35 a.m.) Paris, October 6. A communique states: Our reconnaisances penetrated the support trench and bombarded with grenades. There is great artillery activity at Verdun. Aviators were successfully active despite the weather. THE FIGHT FOR COURCELETTE. London, October 6. There was much bloodshed during

"the recent fighting east and north of Courcelette. The Canadian cavalry for the first time participated. Patrols penetrated the enemy territory for 7000 and 2500 yards hi different directions. 1 ENEMY LOSS IN ARTILLERY. London, October 6. General Sir Douglas Haig states that between July 1 and September .30 we captured 29 heavy guns and heavy howitzers, 92 field guns, and field howitzers, 103 trench artillery pieces, and 397 machine-guns. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAIDS. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 10.5.5 a.m.) London, October 0General Haig states: We discharged gas eastward of Loos and Armentieres, and advanced north-east of Eaucourt L’Abbaye. We made three [successful raids at Loos and two at Arras.