In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 95, 18 November 1916, Page 5

In the West

ALLIED FRONT EXTENDED. DETERMINED HUH ASSAULTS. The High Commissioner reports:— London, November 17, (12.15 p.m.) A British official report states: As the result of yesterday’s operations, we extended'our front eastward fi .nn Eeaueonrt along the north hank of the Ancro. During the night, there was heavy hostile shelling of Beaucourt Hamel. Yesterday afternoon a strong enemy counter-attack ioi(<e the relinquishment of part ol th'> if is mod won on Tuesday, eastward ol Butte cie Warlomourt. GERMAN PRESS ON THE ARC RE VICTORY.

Press Association. -Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, November 17.

The Berliner Tageblntt, commenting on the British advance ,at the Ancre, says it followed a bombardment of twelve, days’ duration, with continually increasing guns, fed with as much ammunition as they wanted. It ad niits the attacks in the southern sector were stronger than the defence, the English being fresh and stiong. The Frankfurter Zeitung says the English have gained merely a tactical success, which was unavoidable m the case of such a long defensive battle. Tho Kolnische Zeitung says the English employed their whole rury ol heaped up materials and projectiles of the heaviest calibre. "With such a tremendous expenditure of ammunition, an offensive can always he carried out after levelling the trenches. The Berliner Tagehlatt admits that the British shrewdly economised men, and were using them to advantage now.

THE SOMME BATTLE. IMMENSITY OF OPERATIONS. AN AMERICAN’S VIEWS. Press Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 1.30 p.m.) New York, November IT. Mr Frederick Palmer, a representative of some American newspapers, lias arrived at New A ork from the front. Hie states that the Somme battle was the greatest in the war, surpassing Verdun in the intensity and casualties. It will continue as long as the war, perhaps for two or three years. Six thousand British, French, and German guns have been in action on the same day. There have been 15,000 casualties in 24 hours. One million live hundred thousand men have been hit since the Somme offensive began. Next summer the British are prepared to lose a million it necessary, when they will have twice the present gun-power. Dis'cussing' tho, ending of the war, Sir Palmer said; “I only know that next year will he bloodier than this. I talked with Generals Haig, Joffre, and Ilawlinson, besides Neville and Mangin, who planned the attacks which recovered Douaumont and Vaux, and their idea was tho same. I found everywhere that there was to be a fight*'to a finish. Tam certain the Allies will he victorious.”

SUCCESSFUL ALLIED WORK. (Received 12.35 pTm.) London, November 17. General Haig reports: As the result of .Thursday’s operations, we extended the front at Beaufort eastward along the north bank of the Ancre. A strong counter-attack in the afternoon forced us to relinquish part of the ground gained eastward of Butte de Warlencqurt. There was heavy hostile pight shelling at Beaufort and Beaumont Hamel. We twice successfully raided the trenches north-east ol Wulverghem, taking prisoners and inflicting considerable losses. FIFTY-FOUR AIR-FJCHTS. (Received 12.35 p.m.) Paris, November 17. A communique states: There is a relative calm on the whole front. Fifty-four air-fights were reported in the Amiens region. French aeroplanes dropped over a ton of bombs on the railway station and works at Eschsuralzette, Luxemburg, and the aerodrome at Teronier.

INTENSE BOMBARDMENT. ENEMY ATTACKS FAIL. Press Association—Copyright, Ausva lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 12.115 p.ni.) Paris, November 17. Marcel Hutin, writing in the Itclio do Paris, says: After a bombardment, of extraordinary intensity, ‘15,000 tiermans, with asphyxiating gas and tear shells, attacked the French position;at Pressoiro and Ablainconrt on Wednesday, but, despite the use of fi miothrowers, the enemy were unable P debouch. Machine-guns and seventyfives mowed them dowp. The attack was the most violent at Presso.re, where a ten-fold numerous enemy forced the French to refute a little, but an obstinate resistance enabled them to send up relief, driving the enemy out of the village.