MOST STRONGLY-DEFENDED LINE ON FRONT.

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

MOST STRONGLY-DEFENDED LINE ON FRONT.

FRENCH DELIGHT AT HAIG'S MAGNIFICENT EFFORT. ENEMY'S WHOLE LIME HOW HIGHLY VULNERABLE. [Auttnlian md N.Z. Cable Aisociition.] PARIS, July 16. The British effensive against the German second line is regarded by the French as a magnificent effort to glorify France's national fete day. The battie 38 still raging along an extended front, but the successes attached to it already make July 14 one of the most brilliant days of the war. Owing to the rapidity of their advance, the British quickly penetrated a front of nearly four miles., carrying a network of formidable defences, whicli had taken months to construct. They also cleared Trones Wood. The locale of the present attacks in the pivot of the German battle-front, and the most strongly defended point. General yon Einem threw in strong reinforcements, but Sir Douglas Haig outgeneralled him. The new German troops failed to arrest thfc British advance. The ever-increasing bulge on the German front, between Hardecourt and Thiepval, makes tlie whole-enemy lino higWy vulnerable. The capture of Longucval brings the British advance forces in line with the French at Hardecourt. It U increasingly probable that yon Einem will be forced to retire to new positions. The weather is cool and favourable to Britieh operations. Bazentin-le-Grand is one mije west of LonguevaL and midway between that place and Contalmaison. Be*cntin.le-Petit is one mile north-west of Bazentin-lc-Grand. From the fact that there lia*e been comparatively few German officers among the prisoners since July 1, it is inferred that the officers organising the plans of resistance instruct the men what to do and then retire to rear positions. The importance of Pezieres is due to Its position athwart the main road from Albert to Bapvijne, irhjch -je Sir. Dpugl M Hajg's jbjeetive. ~