ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 15 January 1917, Page 5

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

NO REST FOR THE HUN

WORRYING HIM NIGHT AND DAY

LONDON, Jan 13. Mr. Gibbs says the success north of Beaumont Hamel (where three-quar-ters of a mile of trenches were captured), was the continuation of a series of small encounters during the past ten days—not big lights, but important locally. They show clearly the character of winter warfare, the spirit of our men, and the effect of our I definite deadly policy of hammering the enemy with increasingly high explosives, not giving them a rest. The enemy made the first move on January 2, leading up to the recent events. They seized a small post in front of Serre. We decided to take two points and link them as a protective barrier. Raiding parties on the sth captured the posts. The Germans counter-at-tacked. In the first effort, twenty out of fifty were killed. The remainder crawled back. The second attempt was blocked as soon as it started. Then the fighting grew grimmer and grimmer and the area widened until we bombarding a two-miles front. B'ritish detachments on the 10 th, following up the barrage, penetrated dug-outs and gave the enemy the%ehoice of death or capture. All surrendered, including several officers They were wet, miserable and nervebroken. The attack on the 11th was in greater strength. It was a misty mcrning. Over the snow-covered quagmire we were too quick for the enemy. We pierced their dug*-outs before their machine-guns were brought out. We gave the same choice. Some officers tried to rally their men, but the resisters were all killed. An important, feature of these local encounters is the spirit of the British troops, which is unweakened, and as grim as ever, despite hardships and foul weather. Behind them massed guns pursue their destructive work all day and all night incessantly.