Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15776, 18 December 1916, Page 6

Progress of the War.

One of the most successful and significant blows of the war is recorded this morijing in the brilliant success which lias been achieved by the French at Verdun. Attacking on a front of ten k:i'/>mi3V'c-4 norßh and north-east of Douaumont, the French penetrated tho enemy's lines to a depth of three kilometros. captured tho villages of Vacherauville, Louvcmont, Bczonvaux, the Bois les Fosses, and tho fortifications of Haudromont. The enemy was taken by surprise and surrendered freely, the number so far reported being over nine thousand men with two hundred and fifty officers. Guns of ' various sorts, to tho number of eightyone r werc either capturcd or destroyed. There is natually very geat- jubilation in France over this shrewd blow which comes as a timely reply to tho German offer of peace, and also as an earnest of the vigorous policy which may be expected from tho new commandcr-in-chief of the armies in the field, General Nivellc. In conjunction with General Pctain, General Nivelel planned this attack, and gave tho signal for its initiation, after which General Mangin was entrusted with its execution. From Mesopotamia also the news is cheerful, for there, after a long period of prc7 paration. the British on the Hai river below Kut-el-Amara have advanced and secured a footing within three quarters of a mile of the Tigris. The administration in this theatre of war has been vastly improved, and the equipment brought up to date, so that in due course good results raav be looked for, Tho outlook-in the Balkans is still very unsatisfactory. The Germans have forced the defensive forces back from Buzeu, where it had been expected a stand would have been made, and this defeat has caused a retirement of the troops on the line of the river Jalomitza. The Bulgarians havo occupied j Fetesci near Cernavoda. and in tho J Dobrudja itself the enemy is on the of-! fensive. !