In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 85, 7 November 1916, Page 5

In the West

IMPORTANT ADVANCES.

FURIOUS COUNTER-ATTACKS.

Press Association—Copyright, Austra

lian and N.Z. Cable Association

Paris, November G

A Paris communique states; North of the Somme we made a series of appreciable advances from the south of Lo Transloy to the south of St. Pierre Vaast Wood.

We pushed our lines between Les Booufs and Sailly-Saillisel several hundred metres in the direction of Lo Transloy. We- captured a trench east of Sailly-Sailliesel, and conquered most of the village of Sailliesel, and the smith thereof.

We attacked St. Pierre Yaast Wood on three sides, and made an important advance, capturing successively three trenches defending the northern liorn of the wood, and the whole line of hostile positions on the southwestern outskirts. The fighmg was most desperate in this sector. Fuiious German counter-attacks wore brilliantly foiled. We took many prisoners. The artillery duel continued in the Douaumont region. We have occupied the whole of the village of V aux.

BAPAUME-PERONNE LINEf

London, November '6

Newspapers point out that the gains mentioned in General Sir Donglas Haig’s despatch are important. The position seized was the last of the high ground before Bapauine is reached.

The French advances should render the St. Pierre Vaast Wood untenable by tile Germans.

RAIN INTERFERES WITH GENERAL ADVANCE.

London, November G

Constant rainstorms continue to delay the grand offensive operations. Bright and dry spells intervene, but they are insufficient for the shellchurned, water-logged ground to become firm enough for a- general advance. German deserters unanimously testify to the horrible discomforts under which the' enemy is laboring. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: We attacked several points, and made some progress. We cleared a pocket of Germans to the extreme right, and progressed in the centre on a Front of over 1000 yards, securing high ground in the neighbourhood of Butte and Do Warlencourt. The weather continues stormy.

FURTHER FRENCH PROGRESS

FIERCE COUNTER-ATTACKS,

The High Commissioner reports

London, November G (“2.50 p.m.)

A French official report states. Northward of the Somme, we progressed between Lahsolup and Sail In Saillisel yesterday evening, and also at night. The enemy violently counterattacked the position that wo conquered at Eksailliser, Furs, and St. Pierre Vaast Wood. ATl'FLtacks westward of the wood wore broken by our machine-gun and artillery fire. Iho enemy suffered heavy losses. Southwest of the wood, the enemy regained part of the village of Saillisel.

STUBBORN TRENCH FIGHTING. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH AIR-RAIDS | Tlio Tiigh Commissioner reports:— London, November 6 (3.55 p.m.) ; 1 Brilish official message states: During Uie night there 'were enemy counter-attacks, and we relinquished portion of the ground won hy us in the neighbourhood of Butte do >Varloneourt. eastward of Los Boeuis. Wo nnulo secure yesterday’s gains. We made three successful raids on the onomy trenches in the Armen ’and Ypres areas.

' m ALSACE-LORRAINE. GERMAN IMPOSITIONS. FRENCH LOAD OF IGNOMINY. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received”'9.lo a,m.) London, November 6. The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says: The Germans created special courts in Alsace and Lorraine for the punishment of sympathisers with the Allies. The French language is forbidden, and the Strasbourg prison is full of Alsatians for speaking French. During July, the terms ot the sentences imposed in Alsace-Lor-raine courts totalled 3000 years.