A NAVAL FIGHT

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 22 August 1916, Page 5

A NAVAL FIGHT

THOUGHT THE BEAK WAS DEAD. , GERMAN MISCALCULATIONS. IN THE EAST. WHILE HUNS WATCHED THE WEST. LONDON, August 21. The Times ’ correspondent at Amsterdam states that Prince Hohenlohe Schillingfurst, speakng at Berlin on Franz Josef’s birthday, said that the Austro-German successes in 1915 justified the belief that the war was ending; but, while eagerly watching the Western offensive, a new thundercloud burst with unforeseen violence in the East. The Russian bear, anything but slaughtered, was pouring out an inexhaustible torrent of men equipped with the most modern weapons. Nevertheless, he was re-assured in the belief of the ultimate Austro-German victory. ON THE EAST FRONT. GERMAN ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING. SUCCESSES IN SERBIA CLAIMED. AMSTERDAM, August 20. A German communique states: — “General von Hindenburg frustrated Russian attempts, td ‘cross the Belsina River. He is still engaging the Russians at Stokhod, and ejected the Russians from advanced trenches eastward c-.-of Kisseline, There is no change j^ : northward of the Carpathians. The Ajchduke Carl captured Crcta Height, »mithward of Zabie, and repulsed strong counter attacks at Magura. Our allies in the Balkans captured Banaca, south of Monastir, and throw the’ Serbian Drina Division from dominating heights north of Ostroba Lake, repulsing counter attacks. BRITAIN’S PROHIBITION. OF EXPORTS TO SWEDEN. EXCITEMENT CALMS DOWN, COPENHAGEN, August 20. Excitement in Sweden at the British prohibition of exports has calmed in consequence of the Swedish Foreign Office pointing out that the restrictions are not as severe as was at first Supposed. The criticisms in British newspapers are regarded as indicating nervousness in England. PLEDGES OF VICTORY. ANGULO-FRENCH CO-OPERjATTONt * KING AND PRESIDENT, LONDON August 21. - King George telegraphed to President Poincare birthday greetings, adding: U I had great pleasure last week in meeting you and ascertaining that our views were in perfect harmony. X am confident that our brave troops, cooperating on the battlefield, will as- ■ sure the success of our common cause.. President Poincare replied: “I congratulate myself on the close agree"ment between our countries and also likewise our valiant armies. This mutual confidence and close co-operation are sure pledges of victory. ” -t, “OUR GREATEST FOE.” GERMAN PRESS VIEW OF BRITAIN. AMSTERDAM, August 21. The “Frankfurter Zeitung” declares that the British are just as pertinacious politically as they are enormously persevering in a military way. The British are, in every respect, our great est and most active enemy. Therefore th<l fighting on the Somme is most decisive most important to us. The paper recognises that history teaches conclusively that the British ■will not yield to fatigue before they and exhausted.

TWO BRITISH CRUISERS SUNK THRILLING DETAILS OF SOMME FIGHT CONFIDENCE IN VICTORY GROWING DRIVING THE HUNS FROM VERDUN STERN BUSINESS WITH BULGARIA ACTIVE OFFENSIVE FROM SALONIKA THE BRITISH MAKE DASHING ATTACKS

GERMANY AND DENMARK. A GERMAN THREAT. COPENHAGEN, August 21. Semi-official: The “Norddeutscher” furiously attacks the Danish press for giving publicity to Entente views and news and disregarding the German I standpoint. It is indignant at the ai- ! leged continuous atacks on Germany, and servile demonstration of sympathy with the Allies. It conveys a coven threat to Denmark. WITH THE ITALIANS. MANOEUVRE WARFARE BEGINS. ROME, August 21. General Corsi, the “Tribuna” critic, states that as a result of the Gcrizia battle, manoeuvre warfare has begun. It i 3 proceeding' also at Plezzo, Tclrhino, and Trentino, where the Austrians are no longer strongly resisting. The main action will continue on the Carso line In the direction of Laibach, Trieste and Fiume. FRENCH CAPTURE STRONG WOOD " f LONDON, August 1. French official: We captured a strong Wood between Guillemont and Maure-, pas with important stores. FIGHT IN NORTH SEA. GERMAN HIGH SEA FLEET COMES OUT. RUNS AWAY PROM BRITISH FLEET. BRITISH LOSE TWO LIGHT ' CRUISERS. ONE GERMAN SUBMARINE SUNK AND ANOTHER RAMMED. LONDON August 21. The High Commissioner reports; The Admiralty announces that there wa s considerable enemy activity in the North Sea on Saturday. The German High Sea Fleet came out, but learning from their scouts that the BVitish forces were considerable, avoided engage meat and returned to port Searching for the enemy, we lost the light cruisers Nottingham and Falmouth. All the officers of the former were saved, but 38 of the crew are missing. All the Falmouth’s crew were saved. An enemy submarine was destroyed and another was rammed and possibly sunk. The German statement that a British destroyer ws sunk and a battleship damaged is untrue. The Nottingham, launched 1913; tonnage 5440; speed 25J knots; main armament, nine 6-inch guns. The Falmouth, launches in 1913, ton nage 5250; speed 24£ knots; main armament, eight 6-inch guns Both were modern vessels of the well known four-funnelled type, similar in appearance to the Australian cruisers Melbourne and Sydney. They were units of the “Town” class, of which a sister ship, the Birmingham,' earned fame in the early stages of the war by sinking a German submarine in the North Sea. BULGARIA AND.GREECE A SIGNIFICANT REMARK. AMSTERDAM, August 21. M. Iladoslavoff, speaking in the Sobranje, said that as the Entente troops continuity attacked the Bulgurs, some days the latter counter attacked and ad vanced in order to secure the best positions, which had been. done. The Government wa s hopeful that this would not be followed by other complications The last sentence apparently refers to the iiklihood cf trouble, owing to the operations in Greece.

A DEMAND ON GREECE. BULGARIA CLAIMS ENTENTE RIGHTS. COPENHAGEN August i. A Bulgarian official message says.. Our offensive is necessary tc fores ..an General Sarrail. It becomes necessary for us to fight in Greek territory. Bulgaria expects Greece to give the army the same freedom of action as she has given the Entente. THE CAPTURE OF FLORINA. AN UNOPPOSED ENTRY. SALONIKA, August 2i. It appears that the Bulgarians advanced in force from Monastir and occupied Lire town and station of Fiorina. They had no difficulty, because there was only a battlion of Servians, which withdrew. The Bulgarians before occupying the rise at Starasta, sent «. message to the Greek commanders requesting their withdrawal. The Greeks complied. ADVANCE FROM SALONIKA. SERBIANS ADVANCING ON FLORINA.BULGARIANS EVACUATING MONASTIR. ATHENS August 21. It is reported that the Servians are advancing on Fiorina, and the Bulgarians are evacuating Monastir. The Bulgarian Minister visited M. Zaimis on Saturday morningi It is announced that the German-Bul garian general attack is beginning. NAPOLEON TEACHES CADORNA. ROME, August 21. General Cadorna, replying to congratulations, said: Napoleon taught us that rapidity and surprise were the secrets of his success. Wo sought lo apply the teaching, and conquered. BRITAIN HITS HARD. THE WEEK-END ADVANCE. SUBSTANTIAL GAINS MADE. GERMANS LOSE IMPORTANT ■ POSITIONS. GREAT WORK BY ANZACS. LONDON, August 21. Th° “Times’ ■’ correspondent at Headquarters says:—The Germans have lately repeatedly said that the British offensive was dead; but we have again hit hard. We have advanced to a depth of from 300 to 500 yards, and captured trenches which; put ou end; stretch for several miles. Wc only failed at the top of High Wood; to -the westward; where we cleared out the furthest trenches; but the position was untenable and we fell back to our oud position. Elsewhere we drove the enemy from their trenches at strong points. We hold the captured ground. Our advance covers five-sixths of the attacked front. We attacked in full daylight dur ing the afternoon and early evening On the extreme left where our gain is perhaps the largest and most important, we cleared a whole elaborate front line till our front was some 1500 yards north of Ovilers and Labcissclli; due west of Pozieres Cemetery. iNo smarter action has taken place since the commencement of the battle. The Australian push carried them 300 yards on an average circuit from the Suarry to the Albert-Bapaume road beyond the Windmill. It must be understood that the Windmill and Mouquet Farm are mere names. There is no farm and th e windmill is a mere hummock on the sky-line. Beginning * with the capture of Pozieres (the Australians have done extremely well on this front. They are now just about a mile north of the centre of the village. They have taken over a mile of the German second line system; with minor, trenches innumerable; at strong points. Every road was honeycombed with every kind of defence that German industry and ingenuity can invent.; The defences were perfect yet. nothing stopped the Australians; except temporarily. The number of their prisoners is not yet known.

East of the Bapaume Road, in the Munstallcy region; we again thrust on towards Martinpuich; breaking through another stretch of the German line and adding new ground on the right of Munster Alley. One of the most notable of Friday's gains is that all land oast of Waterlot Farm is ours. Southwards we forced our way to Guillemont.

I am not inclined to attach importance to stories of the Germans’ increasing war sickness. It is (rue there have been willing surrenders and large numbers of deserters. I presume that over 15,000 prisoners have been taken singe the beginning of the battle: but it is not safe to argue from local symptoms. It is amazing that though we daily break the best German troops; perhaps wo have neven proved our £opeTiovr£y better than on Friday,,/

THE SOMME BATTLE. 1 DESPERATE STRUGGLE CON- j TINGES. | (Received 12.48) LONDON, August 21. ' A French official?report states north of the Somme yesterday we captured six cannon between Maurepas and Guillemont. Ou the right of the Meuse the Germans yesterday attacked with liquid fire the village of Fleury. A curtain of infantry fire arrested the enemy and inflicted serious loses. Sir Douglas Haig reports there were three bombing attacks on High Wood, which were easily repulsed. Northwest of Higfhwocd covering patrols withdrew before strong enemy detachments, but they were unable to progress when under fire. West of the Wood and north west of Hulluch am: east cf Leplantin the enemy attempted to raid cur trenches, but were driven off with less. North of Givenchy we successfully liberated gas in two places 1 THE AUSTRALIAN SPHINX. THE CONSCRIPTION QUESTION. WHAT WILL MR. HUGHES DO’; SYDNEY, August 21. The country is anxiously awaiting some indication of Mr Hughes’ intentions regard conscription. An enormous crow d attended a public reception at the Town Hall, expecting reference to the subject. Ma Hughes guardedly avoided the subject, but in the course of a speech said: I believe that wherever the light leads us now; every free citizen strongly attacked our new line ccmes or goes. ' ENEMY COUNTER ATTACKS REPULSEJDt,, LONDON; August 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: The enemy strangly attacked our new line at the west corner of the High Wood. They reached the lino at certain points; but our infantry drove them out. Subsequently enemy attacks broke down. The enemy heavily shell‘cel portions of the front; especially High Wood; Hamel and Mailly. ; THE DOLDZELI FIGHT. W BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY'' BRITISH. 1 ’ SALONIKA, August 21. The British infantry,As” attack on Horseshoe Hill, commanding Doldzeh; was a brilliant affair tlie men showing great keenness in their first experiences of dose 'fightingi They used bombs and bayonets with great effect. GERMANS IN 1 SERIOUS PLIGHT. MAN SUPPLY RUNNING SHORT. NEW YORK, August 21. . Americans in Paris say the Germans are vainly endeavouring to disguise their serious plight by regrouping their forces. J off re's staff possesses mathematical evidence that the Germans are stopping gaps at the expense and depletion of another part of the line. ' The French have a thorough command of the initiative at Verdun, MASSACRES AT NEW HEBRIDES SYDNEY, August 21. The steamer Makambo brought news of a horrible massacre at the New Hebrides. A trader named R. J. Bridges; and his five children; were murdered by bush tribes; and-his store looted. There arc indications that one child was eaten. GERMAN FLEET AT SEA. LONDON; August 21. ‘ The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rotterdam ' correspondent says trawlers off the Dutch coast ou Saturday morning met a squadron of sixteen German warships accompanied by two Zeppelins.