WESTERN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1918, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

IMPORTANT CAPTURES. PERONNE STATION, ROYE, AND MARICOURT TAKEN. liondon, August 2S. The British have captured Peronne station and Maricourt—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assoc. New York, August 27. The Flench advanced two miles on a front of eight miles, capturing Roye and Crapeau-Mesnil. The New Zc-alandcrs during the lnght outflanked Bapaume and reached the railway north of the Bapaume-Cam-brci read- There is street fighting in the outskirts of Bapaume. The French advanced south-west of Roye capturing HOO prisoners. The British are nearing Beugnatre, north-east of Bapaume. There is hard fighting around Coixilles. The Germans have evacuated Bapaume. The Hindenburg line lias been smashed in the neighbourhood o"f Henincl —Aus.-X.Z. Cabio Assoc. London, August 27. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters writes: —General Debeny attacked at 5-40 this morning at Fres-noy-los-Royo, the capture of which is announced in the French communique. The attack on the village, which covers Roye from the north, was preceded by Jieavy artillery fire. The village was strongly defended and the Germans despf.rately resisted. There was furious street fighting with bayontts and grenades. The French repulsed several violent counter-attach'. The cjpture of St Nord was apparently the result of a brilliant little operation, the net result of which is a considerable improvement bf our positions round Roye.—Router. COMBLES UNDER FIRE. BAPAUME-PERONNE ROAD UNTENABLE. AIRMEN CUT UP PRUSSIAN DIVISION. SPEED OF AUSTRALIANS.

London, Aug. 27. Mr. Percival Phillips says that the Germans are no longer wildjr attempting to stabilise the line, thougn r.'iey are counter-attacking at some points in order to gain time. The enemy's withdrawal south of Bapaume was difficult, because we cut the roads. The Albert-Bapaume road was cut on Saturday, and the MametzPeronne road was cut yesterday. Combles it constantly under the lire of our heavies, and Longueval, Ginchy, Guillemont, and other places are also being accurately shelled. The BapaumePeronne road is practically untenable. There is no wild forward rush on our part. The infantry keep in close touch and our supports are well forward. A Prussian division advanced from Beugnatre in the direction of Favreuil. It was spotted by our airmen and mercilessly cut up. Only a remnant reached Favreuil, where it fell victims to North Country troops, mostly by bayonet work. Many German dead lay in the villages. We then pushed towards Beugnatre, where the British are reported to be on the outskirts. The progress of the Australians on Peronne is difficult, owing to the erratic course of the Somme and the outlying marshes; but the Australians are showing remarkable speed over the hipher ground, which is rough hill country, offering plenty of cover for machine-gun nests. The Australians captured Suzanne and Cappy during the night-time. Prisoners declare that they had .expected to be left in peace. The principal obstacle was a solitary field-gun, which fired industriously until the Australians, tiring of it, stalked it and disposed of the crew. Then moppers-up chased the machine-gunners through the cellars and the place was Seared. The resistance at Suzanne was slight and most of the garrison were taken prisoners. Australian progress' apparently continues. The latest news is that they are approaching the steep Vaux ridge on the north bank of the Somme, within seven miles of the Peronne bridge-head, and Biachea on the south bank. The intervening country is rolling, and mostly covered with old trenches. Apparently the guns and stores have been nearly evacuated, and only detachments of infantry remain.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE SCARPE OPERATIONS. EXCELLENT PROGRESS UNDER DIFFICULTIES. London, Aug. 27. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters writes: Until Sunday night it is estimated that the enemy had been forced to use at least 70 divisions between the Scarpe and the Aisne since August 8. , Two thousand prisoners and some guns were captured as the result of yesterday's extension of the battle-front to the northward by the attack behind Arras, Our progress was excellent, considering the difficulties of the ground, and the casualties were very light. A few tanks co-operated, but perhaps it partook more of the character of an infantry battle than any in the recent fighting. Northward of the Scarpo we merely adjusted our flank. In the course of this operation the Highlanders occupied the famous Roeux chemical works. The enemy has withdrawn into the wooded contours eastward of Monchy, where they are stiffening their resistance in favorable defensive country, especially in the Bois-dtt-Sart and the Gijaw Wood. Our men are now well eastward of the Suzanne-Cappy line, while northward of the river Somme they have entered Vaux Wood. The enemy is still in Thilloy, and is reported in considerable strength east of Bapaume and along the Cambrai road. It is understood that at 4.45 this morning some Britishers attacked near the Somrae. Details at present are not available.—Reuter.

FRENCH SUCCESSES. LINE ADVANCED 1200 METRES. London, Aug. 27. A French communique states: Soutli of the Avre this morning we increased our progress in the region of St. Mard. After repelling several counter-attacks during yesterday we took 1100 prisoners, including 30 officers. Between the Oise and the Aisne a German counter-attack west of Chavigny failed. We advanced our line 1200 metres east of Bagneux. There was lively artillery fire in the night-time between the Ailette ana the Aisne.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. ACTIVITY OF NAVAL AIRMEN. BRUGES AGAIN BOMBED. London, Aug. 27. The British Admiralty reports: Between August li) and 25 our aeroplanes, co-operating with the navy, dropped 27 tons of bombs on docks and aerodromes in Belgium. Direct hits were secured on a submarine shelter at Bruges and two large explosions and big fires were caused at the docks. Enemj' shipping and land 'batteries were also attacked. We destroyed • five machines and brought down five. Four British machines are missing—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. Mr.. Gilmour says that the ISin. £un which is among the Australians' spoils is a costly weapon, with an immense steel emplacement on top of concrete. It had its own electric power plant in the vicinity, but the gun barrel was cracked through its entire length, apparently by a premature burst. It had not been used for some time.

OFFICIAL REPORTS. i GALLANT ATTACK BY CANADIANS. SCARPE POSITIONS TAKEN. London, Aug. 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports: At 3 o'clock this morning the Canadians and Scottish and London troops attacked on both sides of the Scarpe from Croisilles to the neighborhood of Gavrelle. On the south bank the Canadians attacked gallantly, passed through the enemy's foremost defences, and captured Orange Hill in their first rush. The Canadians, despite rain storms, soon reached Maneourt and Monchy-le-Preux, capturing both and progressing beyond them North of the Scarpe the Scots captured the first German defences south of Gavrelle, reached the outskirts of Roeux, and also captured the chemical works north of Roeux. The Scots and Londoners completed the capture of the high ground between Croisilles and Heninel, taking many prisoners. Our advance continued on both banks of the Somme. The Australians took Cappy and progressed eastward. Northward of the Somme river they captured Suzanne. Further north the English advanced in the direction of Montauban. The Welsh captured Bazentin-le-Grand. Our pressure everywhere has been maintained and the line advanced in certain sectors. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states: Our low-flyers continued to harass the enemy by bombs and ma-chine-gun fire. We dropped 32 tons of bombs on railway junctions, including the Cambrai and Valenciennes dump.-? and Bruges docks. We also successfully bombed an aerodrome.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. A wireless German official message states: The enemy penetrated our lines running west of Mory and Bapaume to Martinpuieh. We threw him back on the Thilloy«Martinpuich line, recapturing both places. Southward of the Ailette we captured the height south-eastward of Pont St. Mard, taking 400 prisoners. A wireless German evening official message states: We regained Longueval and Montauban.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS MADE.

London, Aiig. 27. Sir Douglas Haig reports: There was severe fighting on Monday afternoon between Mericourt and Bapaume, also north of that town. The enemy counter-attacked repeatedly in strength, incurring ' great losses from'our fire, but he was unable to arrest the progress of the English and Welsh, who pushed through Montauban and along the crest of the ridge, capturing High Wood and reaching Longueval. Here a heavy counter-attack at 0.30 in the evening forced us back towards Bazentin-le-Grand and High Wood. On this line we broke up the enemy's attack and again advanced and established ourselves well astride High Wood. Early in the night the enemy attacked for a second time, and was driven off by rifle fire before reaching our positions. Northward of High Wood the enemy counter-attacked in the neighborhood of Ligny-Thilloy, pressing' back our advanced troops 400 or 500 yards. His in- ] fantry were then stopped and driven back. The New Zealanders, after fierce fighting, established themselves on the outskirts of Bapaume. The English further north made progress towards Beugnatre, and had hard fighting about Croisilles. On the right of the battlefront the Australians continued to advance astride the Somme, and made substantial progress towards Dompierre and eastward of Suzanne. On the left of the battlefront the Canadians in the afternoon captured the ridge eastward of Wancourt and established themselves eastward of Guemappe. Northward of the Scarpe the Scottish, renewing the attack at night, made substantial progress towards Plouvain. The prisoners taken since the mornin? of August ,21 exceed 21,000—Aus. N.Z. Cabla Assoc, and Reuter.

THE FIERCEST FIGHTING. HAND-TO-HAND ENCOUNTERS. AVIATORS EXPLODE OIL RESERVOIRS. Received Aug. 28, 8 p.m. London, Aug. 27. The British 4t!i Army captured over 200 gun.s, a very mixed lot, including several 51b navals, and others twenty years old. The fighting at Bapaume and along the Scarp® is of the fiercest character, there being many hand-to-hand encounters with bayonets and grenades in the glare of fires due to explosions of oil reservoirs, caused by British aviators, who continually harass the enemy. The prisoners include a number of Austrians.—Press Assoc. ANGLO-FRENCH ADVANCE. BETWEEN TWO AND THREE MILES. FURTHER CAPTURES MADE. Received Aug. 28, 8 p.m. London, Aug. 27. General Debenay's 3rd French Army to-day advanced on a front of eight miles to a depth of three, capturing Roye and Crapaumesnil, while, between Harleville and the Somme, the British reached the outskirts of Dampierre and the outskirts of Bapaume.. The advance is about three miles at the maximum depth. We captured Cresey and Gavrelle. The entire Anglo-French advance is between two and three miles on practically the whole front.—Reuter. THE GERMAN. RETREAT. HARASSED BY THE BRITISH. A BATTLE OF GREAT INTENSITY. Received Aug. 28, 10.15 p.m. London, Aug. 27. Renter's correspondent at British headquarters, writing on Tuesday evening, states that the concerted attack this morning by t|ie Australians and other British troops began at 4.45 on a front of eight thousand yards northward of the Somme, and was completely successful. By ten 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 ig forcing the enemy to expedite his retreat far beyond his original intention. The talk of prisoners suggests that the rearguard fighting began on the night of 24th August, and all enemy attacks have been in the nature of delaying actions to cover the withdrawals. About six last evening a determined counter-attack was launched by the remains of the 17th German division, which is known to have lost 2600 prisoners since August 8, irrespective of other casualties. The Welshmen fell back a short distance before the weight of numbers, and took up a position between the TJigh Wood and Bezekin-la-Grande.

Southward of the Somme the Australians are carrying out what can be called "peaceful penetration," consisting of patrol stalking, which is most demoralising to the harassed enemy. Yesterday the Australians advanced to Fontaine les Cappy, which only a few days ago was German divisional headquarters This morning some Australians were reported six miles from Peronne, 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 since has steadily lost ground. We have gained valuable ground in the Bois du Veri.—-Reuter. AMERICANS AND GERMANS IN CONFLICT. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUING. Received Aug. 29, 12.40 a.m. Washington, Aug. 27. The Americans attacked the Germans on the Brazaches front. The Germans attacked the Americans and the struggle is continuing on the, Fismotte front.—Press Assoc. GERMANS HOLD CROISILLES. BRITISH NOT FORCING THE PACE. Received Aug. 28, 11.50 p.m. London, Aug. 28. Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters states that the enemy's artillery retaliation is comparatively weak. Croisilles still remains in German hands, and the sunken roads north and west thereof are strongly held by enemy infantry. Wo are following the policy of not forcing the pace by the sacrifice of lives. The weather is gloomy and aircraft visibility bad.—Reuter.

IMPORTANT POINTS CAPTURED* ! IN THE SCARPE REGION. NEW ZEALANDERS HEAVILY ENGAGED. Received Aug. 2S, 10.13 p.m. London, Aug. 27. Reuter'e correspondent at British headquarters states there is an unconfirmed report that we have captured the Bois du Sart. In any case we have passed the point attained after long and bitter fighting last year. This morning our troops were working towards Plouvain.— Reuter. London, Aug. 28. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We again attacked astride the Scarpe.- The Canadians penetrated deeply between the Sensee and the Scarpe, and captured Cfyerisy, Vis-en-Artois, and Bois du Sart. taking many prisoners. On the Canadians' right, Scottish troops crossed the Sensee and seized Fontaine Ids Croisilles and established themselves on the slopes southward of the village, taking hundreds of prisoners. Other Scots took Roeux, 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, English troops and New Zealanders were again heavily engaged and uepulsed many determined, counterattacks, inflicting heavy casualties. Despite the enemy's efforts we stormed Beugnatre and progressed at geveral points between Beugnatre and Coisilles. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

BEBENEY'S ADVANCE. THE CHAULNES LINE. MERICOURT CAPTURED. OFFENSIVE AFFECTS HINDENBURG LINE. Received Aug. 28, 8.50 p.m. London, Aug. 27. General Debeney's advance s was between Crape-au-Mesnil and Hallu, south of the Chaulnes line, which, now runs east of Liancourt to Hallu and east of Herlville to the Somme, passing the outskirts of Dompierre. We captured Mericourt. Thence the line runs to Flers, north of Bapaume. We reached the outskirts of VauxVraucourt, thence the line goes to the outskirts of Ecoust St. Mein, whence it 'bends back to Croisilles, which is still in German hands. From Cherisy the line runs to the outskirts of Roeux. Heavy fighting occurred at Delville Wood, also at Longueval. Military critics attach the greatest importance to the Somme offensive, because it affects the Hindenhurg line.— Press Assoc.

THE FIGHTING NEAR ROYE. A CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT. Received Aug. 29, 1.45 a.m. London, Aug. 28. Reuter's correspondent at French headquarters, describing the fighting in the vicinity of Roye, which is now encircled, says that the captures of Fresnoy, Croisette Wood, and St, Mard constituted a considerable achievement, because the fighting occurred in the old fortified lines, which the enemy had reorganised. The Germans were surprised at Fresnoy, where the prisoners included I a battalion commander. The bridges over the Avre in the last few days were seized by the French, whose infantry were fighting waist deep in the water for hours and gallantly withstood all attempts to retake them.— Reuter. THE NEW ZEALANDERS. THEIR RECENT OPERATIONS. FURTHER DETAILS OF FIGHTING. (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official Correspondent, with the New Zealand Forces in the Feld.) August 23. This morning, at half-past 1 (ordinary time), the attack launched' on the 21st •fcy General Byng after a comparative lull for one day, broke out with renewed intensity. It was a brilliant, moonlight night, and a**oplanes hummed above, while the artillery thundered below. Following a splendid barrage went the infantry from several divisions. The Rifle Brigade still represented New Zealand, though another battalion relieved one that had already taken a successful part in the advance. We continued to hold our narrow front on the Anere and the defensive flank on the right to join up with" a British division that had trouble with a strong point known as Beauregard 'Dovecote. It was decided that Dovecote must fall this morning, and while the- English were attacking it our men advanced due east between Dovecote and the village of Wes. From across the AncTe came a lot of machinegun fire, and our men suffered some casualties, but these were really light Only two companies were concerned in this fighting. Fighting at night always makes"it difficult to stop on an exact objective, and our men, in their keennew, went at least four hundred yards further than they need have gone. [However, having gone so far, they decided to hold on to the ground gained- A difficult situation arose in consequence. At daylight they found themselves sitting in a valley with the enemy commanding their position from a ridge, very much as occurred at Ghehivelt, during the fight for Polderhoek Chateau last year. Then it was ascertained that there was another attack to be made at LI o'clock in this immediate vicinty, and that their position was 200 yards inside the area on which the barrage was due to come down.. It became a case-of crawling out under German machine-gun. (ire, or remaining to be shelled by friendly artillery. As soon as the position was known, a messenger crept •back, and succeeded in getting' word to the adwaced brigade head^uMt«T#,.«,that'the

fcarrage, which was now unnecessary for this bit of ground, was stopped in time. Thus all ended well, and the' New Zealanders, at a small cost, had gained a depth of 700 yards on a frontage of 800. In the operation that commenced at 11o'clock, one company from the same ha* (alion advanced and 'cleaned out the Germans who were occupying the valley | of the Anere, immediately north of Mir•mmont. Svme nests of enemy m»-I'hine-guns were mopped up, prisoners were taken, and the operation was quite successful. To-day the heat was tempered by » breeze, 'but it was no uncommon sight to sec New Zealanders stripped bare *fo the waist, and being gradually browned by the sun, as they were on Galllpoli. Eyerwhere I found the men in the best of spirits. The fine weather is certainly in favor of a quick advance. The battlefield provides many interesting sights. Transport, both mechanic cal and horse, goes forward in clouds of dust, and batteries are shooting from the open, while others are moving well forward. The New Zealand artillery w well advanced, and the ammunition columns are feeding the guns with their usual splendid energy and intrepidity. Late in the afternoon, from a post tion well beyond Serre, I watched the battle in progress near Achiet-le-Grand, listened to the rattle of machine-gunsj and saw big "crumps" from enemy 5.9's bursting on the ground they had already lost. It was all a strangely-fascinating end thrilling sight. HUNS TAKE TO THEIR HEELS. When the barrage for the 11 o'clock ■advance came down, hundreds of Huns took to their heels and legged it for all they were worth. The New Zealanders chased them up as close as they could on the edge of the barrage, and shot at them both with machine-guns and rifles. "We had a great lot of fun up there for a While," said a cheery wounded rifleman, whom I met on the battlefield some yours later. Away beyond, qn a riagt, our men could see other Germans retreating. At the same time, some New Zealanders spotted a party of about 20 of the enemy coming towards them as if to surrender. Some were moving as if wounded; but when they reached a favorable position they began to shoot at our men. Then the New Zealanders dealt it out to that little party, and in a brief space of time none were left to carry back any news of the battle to Germany. "A platoon efficer got six and I got two," said a corporal who was hit later in the engagement, after he had been interrupted in his shooting to take back a message to company headquarters. Most of our men had but a poor" opinion of the fighting calibre of the Germans met in this battle. "The Bun is not sticking it out like he used to," said a wounded New Zealand corporal. "His spirit Jigone. The only good !mw» bo seems to have now are his machinegunners. Tne&e are left to the last to hold his positions, and I assure you they are getting a very rough spin."

HATES OF PRISONERS. Eg tinning over the crest of the 'Serre ridge, I found between 60 and 70 prisoners the New Zealanders had captured, halted by the way in charge Of about four riflemen. Numbers of one of our battalions in reserve had joined them, and all were mixed together in quite a friendly party. , The were willingly giving away souvenirs, and there was a hubbub of conversation in English, French, and German. Nearly all the Germans seemed very glad to bo done with the war, and not in the least afraid that the New Zealanders would eat them. One young fellow, who, just before the' war had been a student, at Oxford, doubted my statement that the war might last three years more. Getmany, he said, was finished, and he added, with emphasis, "Thank the good Lord that for me it is at an end." All the German prisoners I saw were very kindly treated, and their wounded were tenderly cared for. Even their walking wounded were taken into our ambulance cara whenever there was room. In the afternoon I was with an officer of our Mounted Corps, who took some of them back in a car he was riding in. Yesterday, our men, with machine-gun fire, drove in 240 Germans upon a position held by some English troops. These promptly surrendered, and were marked off as prisoners. "Haxd luck for the Nov Zealanders." I said to a New Zealand officer. "Never mind," he said, "itall goes to ivin the war, and these Tommies fought well." As I write at the end of a long day to catch the last despatch-rider, the loud and continuous thunder of the British guns beats on the air. They have been busy now for 20 hours, and seem as if thev would continue until far into the night of next day. Tanks' are creeping forward towards the battle front. It has been a busy day for Imdendorff. To-morrow Bapaiime will be in danger, and it is, perhaps, within the bounds of possibility that the New Zealanders may have a hand in its fall.