THE FIGHTING AT POZIERES.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1916, Page 12

THE FIGHTING AT POZIERES.

A FRIGHTFUL STRUGGLE. London, July 24. The Central News representative in Paris says:—The British bombardment in the Pozieres region increased in intensity on Saturday evening, indicating that the hour of attack was approaching. The British troops advanced to the assault on the whole line on Sunday morning, while the artillery lengthened their range. The artillery preparation was excellent, but some armored shelters had only been partially destroyed, and the machine-guns were still in place when the attack began, especially about iPozicros village. The. British displayed remarkable coolness, courage, and inimitable tenacity. They reached the enemy's lines and captured several positions, but superior numbers and artillery fire forced them to fall back at some points, only to return when reinforced. Fighting in the village reached its highest at 2 o'clock in the morning. The British seized the advanced defences, penetrated streets, and stormed the majority of the houses. The struggle was frightful; the Tommies fought luuid-to-h-and. The tide, of battle swayed until six in the evening. The British readied the northern extremity of the village, but the Germans returned in great masses and re-took portions of the lost ground, forcing their opponents- out of some of the houses. While the epic struggle raged the Australian battalions engaged in terrific fights on both sides of the village. The English and Australians were still fighting with the same ardor at 8 o'clock in the evening, and had regained some ground. Meanwhile the battle at Gmllemcnt and Longueval was very stubborn, but at midnight it seemed to turn in favor of the British. Received July 13, 0.30 p.m. London, July 24. General Haig states that fighting at Poziores continues. Elsewhere there is considerable artillery activity on both sides. A Paris communique states that after a lively action the infantry took a redoubt at Whynrd, Thiaumont fort. MARCTTAL'S FLIGHT OVER GERMANY Paris, July 24. The official account of Lieutenant Marchafs llight across Germany slates that he left Nancy in a special monoplane at 9.30 in the evening of June 20. with petrol for a fourteen hours' flight. His mission was to traverse Germany at a low altitude and drop proclamations in Berlin, then land in Russia. He Hew all night and alighted at Cholm, owing to a defect in his engine. The proclamation dropped in Berlin stated that we could have bombarded the city and killed women and children, but we ourselves with dropping a proclamation. Lieutenant Marchal has been interned at Salzorbach.