WESTERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1916, Page 5

WESTERN ATTACK.

FRENCH CAINS INCREASED. ALL OF HEM WOOD CAPTURED. , JIOEE TRENCHES TAKEN THIAUMONT WORK RE-ENTERED. Received August 9, \5 p.m. Paris, August 0. 'A communique states: We increased yesterday's gains north of the Somme, capturing a small wood and a strong trench north of Hem wood. We now hold all Hem wood. During the last two days we cap tured north of the Soinme six kilometres of trenches to a depth of 800 to 500 metres. Stubborn fighting continues on the Thiaumont and Fleury front. Our troops s'liowed remarkable tenacity and repulsed all counter-attacks. They then regained all tin- lost elements and reentered the Thiaumont work. A 48 HOURS' BOMBARDMENT. GERMAN BATTERIES KNOCKED Ob-jl. ALLIES READY TO ADVANCE. GERMAN ANXIETY. Received August 9, S.o p.m. Paris, August 0. The Allied artillery made an exceptionally severe bombardment, lasting 48 hours, on a, 45 kilometre front between Thiepval and the,outskirts of Roye. The first, second, and even third German lines were deluged with metal and many German batteries weic knocked out. It shows '.'hat the Allies have consolidated their recent gains and are ready for the next forward sweep. The Germans are manifestly greatly perturbed at the prospect of a renewal of the offensive. Their aviators are endeavoring to locate our concentrations and the region of our probable attack. The Allies' activity on the Somnie, mentioned in the latest communiques, is regarded as great local movements preluding more serious movements. BRITISH LINE ADVANCED. THREE GERMAN ATTACKS FAIL. SLIGHT SUCCESSES AT THE FOURTH. Received August 9, 7.5 p.m. London, August 9. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our line has been advanced 400 vards south-west of Guillemont. Three enemy attacks with (lamenwerfers, made north-west of Pozieres failed, but the fourth enabled the enemy to occupy fifty yards of trenches. The enemy heavily shelled Longueval, the high wood at Pozierc-s. aiid Mametz, but matters are quiet elsewhere. RESULT OF BLOCKADE. FOOD SHORTAGE FOR GERMAN SOLDIERS. DIFFICULTIES INCREASING. . Received August 9, 6.40 p.m. London, August S. Statements made by German prisoners •show that the troops in the trenches have one meatless day weekly, while those behind have up to four meatless days a week. The meat ration since the war has been reduced about one-half. Captured army orders frequently allude to the stringency of the British blockade, especially regarding the scarcity of fodder. The men are warned that unless they keep within the fodder allowance it will be impossible to hold out to the end. The documents, a.s a whole, show that there is increasing difficulty in feeding the German army and sustaining the energy wherewith the commanders are trying to stave off the crisis. SUCCESSFUL AERIAL BOMBARDMENT. Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports under date London, August 8, 1-2.15 p.m.:—The Admiralty report for July 30 says: In conjunction, French and British naval aeroplanes attacked the ■ benzine stores and the barracks at Mulheim. In spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire they succeeded in carrying out a successful bomluudment. Our machines returned sufej^. TRENCHES CARRIED. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. Wellington, Last Night. The High Commisisoner reports London, August 9, 1.5 a.m.: — A French official report states: At the Vans, Clmpitre and Leclienois front we carried, a line of trenches, and at certain points two lines of trenches. One contained 100 Germans killed and wounded. In these different actions we captured six officers and 200 men. We also took six machine-guns. SUCCESSFUL AVIATORS. MILITARY TRAIN BLOWN UP. Amsterdam, August 8. French aviators bombed the Mons railway station and troop trains. More wounded men traversed Mons during the first fortnight of July than in the previous year. A military train was blown up near Liege and is blocking al 1 German trains in Belgium on the left bank of the Meuse.