WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 August 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

DANCE BEFORE CHAULNES. 'SLASHING AUSTRALIAN PART. LONDON, August 27. The "Times" correspondent in Paris states that the special correspondent of "Le Matin" gives a lively account of the fight before Chaulnes. After his second, rout the enemy returned, supported by machine guns in ,light motor cars. Our heavy guns, whicn were brought up all night long, blended their deep barks with the yapping of the lighter guns. Then Australian shock troops joined in the dance, with slashing effect. : Suddenly a great storm of- lail anc rain burst over the field. The Germans emerged from cover, and . were seen scampering like grey rats on all fours, offering an irresistible mark to the gunners, who cut them to ribbons. GERMAN WITHDRAWAL IN FULL PROGRESS. ~.«;; ;,.,f i< ______ '"' . LONDON, August 27. Reuterfs, correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Tuesday evening, States: ....-A concerted attack tint- morning by Australians and other British troops began at 4.45 on a front of 8000 yards northward of the Somme and was completely successful by 10 o'clock. We 'apparently overran Moulin de Fragny, Maricourt, Bernafray, and Trones Wood. We captured hundreds of prisoners. Not the least important of the day's successes is the clearing of Vaux Wood. It is becoming increasingly clear that our pressure is forcing the enemy to expedite his retreat far beyond his original intention. The talk of prisoners suggest that rearguard fighting began on the night of the 24th August, : and all enemy attacks since have been in the nature of delaying actions to cover the withdrawals.

The Fourth Army captured over 200 guns, which were a very mixed lot, several being five pound naval guns, and others twenty years old. The fighting at Bapaume and along the ScaTpe is of a very fierce character. There-are many hand to hand encounters with bayonets and grenades in the glare of fires due to explosions and oil reservoirs caused by British aviators, who continually harass the enemy. Prisoners include a number of Austrians. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S REPORT. 4}> LONDON, August 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We again attacked astride the Scarpe. The Canadians penetrated deeply between the Sensee and the Scarpe, and captured [Vis en Artois and Bois du Sart, taking prisoners. On the Canadians' Tight the Scottish crossed the Sensee and seized Fontaine les Croisilles, and established themselves on the slopes southward of the village, taking hundreds of prisoners. Other Scots took Hoeux, Greenland Hill (and Gavrelle. The English took Arleux en Gehelle, and the old German line. Southward of that point, between Croisilles and Bapaume, and southward, the English and New Zealanders were, again heavily engaged, and repulsed many determined counter attacks, inflicting: heavy casualties. Despite the enemy's efforts, we stormed Bengnatre and progressed at several points between Bengnatre and Croisilles. At about 6 o'clock last evening a determined counter attack was launched by the remains of the Seventeenth German Division, which Is known to_ have lost 2600 prisoners August Bth, irrespective of Mother casualties. The Welshmen fel! hack sw short distance before the

weight of numbers, and took up a position between High Wood and Bezekinlagrantue. A THREE MILES' ADVANCE. LONDON, August 27. De Beney's Third French Army to. day advanced on a front of eight miles to a depth of three miles, capturing Roye and Crapeau MesnU, while between Herleville and tnc Somme the British reached the outskirts of Dcmpierre, and the outskirts of Bapaume. The advance is about three miles at the maximum depth. We captured Crecy and Gavrelle. The entire Anglo French advance is between two miles and three miles on practically the whole front.

Evidence is forthcoming that a number of British prisoners in Germany are "not receiving food* parcels, which are being stolen or withheld by the German authorities. , < ;• ■ BRITISH STILL WORKING EAST ■V' V '"' ■' ! LONDON, August 27 Reuter's .correspondent at British headquarters states: There is an. unconfirmed report that.we have captured Bois du sart. In any case we have passed the point attained after long and bitter fighting last year. This morning our troops worked towards Plouvain.- The enemy's artillery retaliation is comparatively weak. Croiselles still remains in German hands and sunken roads north and west thereof are strongly held by en(jmy infantry.: : ' • Wo are following the policy of not forcing the pace by the sacrifice of lives. The weather is gloomy and aircraft visibility is bad. General De BencyV advance was between Crap.cau : Mesnil and Hallu, south of Chaulnes. . . , . Our line now runs cast of Liancourt to Hallu and east; of .■ Herlo.vi.llc. to the Sommo and the outskirts of Dompierro. Wo captured Mericourt. From thence the line runs to Flers. North of Bapaume we reached the outskirts of Vaul-Oraucourt. and thence the line goes" to the outskirts of Ecoust-St. Mein, whence it bends back to Crioselles, which is still in German hands. From Cherisy the line runs to the outskirts of Rocux. Heavy fighting occurred in Dclville Wood, and also at Longucval.

THE FIGHTING AT ROYE. LONDON, August 28. Reuter's correspondent at French haadquartcrs, describing the fighting in the vicinity of Royc, which is now encircled, says: The captures of Fresney, Croisette Wood and St. Mard constituted a considerable achievement, because the fighting occurred in old fortified lines, which the enemy had reorganised. The Germans were surprised at Fresney, where prisoners included a battalion commander. Bridges over the Avre during the last few days were seized by the French, whose infantry were fighting waist deep in water for hours. They gallantly withstood all attempts to retake them. AMERICANS RESUME. WASHINGTON, August 27. The Americans attacked the Germans on the Bazoches front. The Germans attacked the Americans, and a struggle is continuing on the Fismotte front. EAST OF ARRAS. LONDON, August 27. Eastward of Arras the battle which began yesterday morning reached great intensity by night, when the enemy attempted to oust us from Wancourt. Spur. He failed and has since steadily lost ground. We gained valuable ground at B'ois du Veri. *

THE HINDENBURG LINE AFFECTED. LONDON, August 27. Military critics attach, the greatest importance to the Somrae . offensive, because it affects the Hindenburg Line Southward of the Somme the Australians are carrying out what they call peaceful penetration, consisting of patrol most; to the harassed enemy. Yesterday the Australians advanced to Fontain les Gappy, which only a few days ago was a German divisional headquarters. This morning some Australians were reported six miles from Peronne.