OVILLERS SWEPT FLAT SY BRITISH GUNS.

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

OVILLERS SWEPT FLAT SY BRITISH GUNS.

GERMAN REAR AT POZIERES THREATENED. BRITISH HELD UP ON THIEPVAL PLATEAU. * {Australian end N.Z. Cable Association.] PARIS, July 10. Practically nothing remains of the village of Ovillors except dust. Thu British guns swept the village flat. The Germans arc still holding out in great underground cellars, made by the inhabitants. The British progress at Ovillcrs, and their capture of Bazontin lc-(iraiul and Bazentin-lc-Pctit—of which the latter is the larger village—bring the British on to the flanks of the Germans at Pozicrc?, threatening the Uerman rear. The capture of Longueval entailed an assault ou a hill 500 ft high. The next difficulty after Longueval is the village of Guillemont. which is powerfully organised and armoured, and where another 500 ft hill has to he negotiated. The capture of Guillemont will be appreciably easier, since Trones Wood, which covers the village, has been cleared of the enemy. Sir Douglas Haig is still not master of the important plateau of Thiepva), which is a strong sector on the German first line. The British approach to Combles, however, permit* the French to resume their attack, which has been delayed pending the British advance. The French at Hardecourt are in a position to threaten Coniblcs from the south, while the British are attacking on the north-west.