QUICK WORK BY FRENCH.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 12 July 1916, Page 5

QUICK WORK BY FRENCH.

LOSSES VERY LIGHT.

REMARKABLE WORK BY ARTTL LERY. Received July 11, 6.25 p.ni PARIS, June 11. The capture of Biaches is important as it is practically in the suburbs of Peronne, though the left bank of the canal has been strongly fortified by the Germans, who have thus been driven north of the Somme. Tb.French have also taken part of Barieux and are only two miles from Chaulnes railway. The Germans south of Barleux are hanging on to Villers, but their position is insecure. The German salient, including Chaulnes, Roye, Lassigny and No'yen is seriously threatened. The French hold the whole of the Santerre Plateau whereof the soil is hard limestone favourable for the movement of big guns. The capture is the result of two days' artillery preparation, enabling the advance to be made at noon on Sunday. The infantry, crossing two entrenched ridges, reached the broad plateau 330 feet above the sea, overlooking the whole valley, by three. Biaches was attacked on three sides and captured. the survivors of the garrison retiring by the southern road towards Peronne just in time to escape encirclement. A French wounded officer states I that the so rapid that the very light, though a order described the position as impregnable. Assisted by the mastery of the air, ttoe French artillery attained remarkable 'accuracy yesterday and hit . a Drldge at fourteen miles distance four times* in succession as the aeroreported wirelessly. The of the German ~-sfear are tljtus uncertain and danger-

/US. Many prisoners were hunger ilricken. The enemy resisted longer to the right of Biaches- having free ground for artillery, but dared not risk heavy guns on the narrow strip between the firing line and the mer. The fight continues .at Barleux where the French right has a line of trenches extending to Maisonette 'Farm, which caps the plateau.