HAIG PROGRESSING WITH SMALLER LOSSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 169, 17 July 1916, Page 5

HAIG PROGRESSING WITH SMALLER LOSSES.

EACH STEP MAKES THE NEXT EASIER. ENEMY LOSES HEAVILY AT BAZENTIH-LE-PETIT. (New Zealand Press Association. —Copyright.) [Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.] deceived 9.15 a.m.) LOXDOX, July 16. Xews" "Paris- correspondent says that General Sir Douglas Haig is progressing with greater success and smaller losses than at the outset of the offensive the thoroughness of the preparations ensuring that each step will facilitate the next. The determination with which the Germans clung to the cellars and brick heaps of Ovillers contributed to their undoing. They •were completely cornered. Two Bavarian regiments desperately defended Ovillere with only a narrow passage north-eastward to enable them to escape encirclement. Tie British, starting between. La Boiselle and Contalmaison swarmed across three lines of trenches and were soon astride the AlbertBapaume high road. Another column northward of Contalmaison with fine dash encountered and drove back fractions of the Prussian Guard. The British advancing on the centre from between Mametz AVood and Montauban occupied Bazantin-le-Grand and next captured a troublesome redoubt northward of the village, then further to the west stormed two other field works, taking prisoner 400 and capturing much material. A Pomeranian brigade offered a stiff fight at Bazentin-le-Petit. The British twice traversed the wooded approach to the village, but were twice compelled to withdraw. A third assault was successful. The place was a shambles, 1,500 German corpses being found. A whole ' company was captured trying to reach Pozieres. but the main body escaped. Tie final defence of Trones Wood by Prussian infantry was dashingly overcome.